What damage does a faulty oxygen sensor cause to a car?
2 Answers
Oxygen sensor failure can cause the following damages to a car: excessive vehicle emissions, deterioration of engine operating conditions, leading to symptoms such as stalling at idle, inaccurate engine operation, and reduced power. The function of an oxygen sensor is to control vehicle exhaust emissions, reduce environmental pollution caused by the vehicle, and improve the quality of fuel combustion in the car's engine. The working principle of an oxygen sensor is similar to that of a battery, with zirconium oxide in the sensor acting similarly to an electrolyte. Its basic working principle is that under certain conditions (high temperature and platinum catalysis), it utilizes the oxygen concentration difference between the inside and outside of the zirconium oxide to generate a potential difference, and the greater the concentration difference, the greater the potential difference.
A faulty oxygen sensor is really annoying. My car had this issue the other day - while driving, I could feel the engine shaking violently, lacking power when accelerating, and constantly jerking. The fuel consumption shot up; normally a full tank could last 500 km, but now it barely makes it past 400 km, and my wallet is almost empty. The worst part is the check engine light keeps flashing to remind me. If I delay fixing it, it could even damage the catalytic converter, which would cost over a thousand yuan to repair. I think it's better to get it checked early to avoid breaking down on the road. Usually, before driving, pay attention to whether there's black smoke or strange smells from the exhaust pipe. Early detection means early fixes, saving both hassle and money. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse like I did, only to regret it later.
