What are the effects of a faulty oxygen sensor on a car?
2 Answers
Oxygen sensor failure impacts the vehicle by causing excessive emissions and deteriorating engine performance, leading to symptoms such as stalling at idle, irregular engine operation, and reduced power. There are two oxygen sensors: the front oxygen sensor located at the exhaust manifold, which adjusts the air-fuel mixture concentration, and the rear oxygen sensor positioned behind the catalytic converter, which monitors the catalytic converter's working condition. A faulty front oxygen sensor prevents the air-fuel mixture from being corrected, resulting in increased fuel consumption and reduced power. A faulty rear oxygen sensor means the catalytic converter's operating condition cannot be assessed, and if the catalytic converter fails, timely repairs cannot be made, ultimately affecting the engine's performance. There is no fixed replacement interval for oxygen sensors, but it is recommended to replace them for vehicles with over 100,000 kilometers.
Oh, when my car's oxygen sensor broke that time, it felt really awful to drive. The engine kept shaking, had no power when accelerating, like it hadn't eaten enough. Fuel consumption suddenly increased a lot, costing hundreds more on gas every month. The check engine light stayed on, and inspection showed excessive exhaust emissions, causing big environmental pollution. If not repaired promptly, it could also damage the catalytic converter, making repairs even more expensive. The mechanic told me the oxygen sensor monitors oxygen levels in the exhaust - when broken, it makes the engine control module guess the fuel ratio blindly, causing the car to run poorly. After replacing it, everything returned to normal - driving became much smoother and fuel efficiency improved. I suggest car owners pay attention to dashboard warning lights and address issues early for safety and savings.
