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Author	Topic: Gas tip Tuesday- Importance of the oxygen sensor	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2011 12:32:29 PM Ignore PD Report Abuse With vehicles becoming more and more reliant on sensors and electronics to run right, the stakes are rising that if one of the sensors fails, you may see a huge drop in fuel economy. One of the most important sensors on a vehicle is the oxygen sensor. Every car built after 1980 has one or even more oxygen sensors. One of the main reasons oxygen sensors were installed was to cut back on emissions. The ultimate reason for the oxygen sensor is to cut emissions and help the vehicle run as efficiently as possible. A car burns gasoline along with oxygen from the air to create an explosion. The oxygen sensor ultimately measures the oxygen content of the exhaust and determines if more or less fuel is needed to make the car run... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Message Posted: Jan 11, 2011 12:32:29 PM

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With vehicles becoming more and more reliant on sensors and electronics to run right, the stakes are rising that if one of the sensors fails, you may see a huge drop in fuel economy.

One of the most important sensors on a vehicle is the oxygen sensor. Every car built after 1980 has one or even more oxygen sensors. One of the main reasons oxygen sensors were installed was to cut back on emissions. The ultimate reason for the oxygen sensor is to cut emissions and help the vehicle run as efficiently as possible.

A car burns gasoline along with oxygen from the air to create an explosion. The oxygen sensor ultimately measures the oxygen content of the exhaust and determines if more or less fuel is needed to make the car run...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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gashole84 Rookie Author Ohio Posts:8 Points:3,855 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2013 5:11:13 AM Ignore gashole84 Report Abuse glad i read this
paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:806 Points:354,170 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 11:22:04 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse Nice to know.
Tommyguns45 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:215 Points:132,865 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 9:25:03 AM Ignore Tommyguns45 Report Abuse Thats why we seen scoops on some hoods back in the 60 and 70's because the the more air that got to the carburetor the better it ran and better gas mileage too.
USMCturtlehead Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,997 Points:103,700 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 7:00:19 PM Ignore USMCturtlehead Report Abuse Oxygen sensors are fine but there are so many sensors on vehicles nowadays that engine lights are like traffic lights. Get tired of error messages that give you no solution other than take vehicle for service. Dealer tells you it could be one of several malfunctions. Then they proceed to guess what to fix and send you on your way after they have reset engine light which seems to reappear shortly after service. All you can do is take it back to dealer for another fix hopefully. RATHER BE DRIVING GAS GUZZLERS THAT I COULD FIX ON MY OWN.
MiataPrincess All-Star Author Des Moines Posts:614 Points:99,100 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 1:52:44 PM Ignore MiataPrincess Report Abuse Nice to know...another reason to do regular maintenance on your car
swampman Rookie Author Ontario Posts:79 Points:506,155 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:16:46 AM Ignore swampman Report Abuse old information
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,416 Points:422,900 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 11:46:28 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Had a lot of trouble with my lincoln ls.
Mr1lung All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:811 Points:164,150 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 1:39:46 PM Ignore Mr1lung Report Abuse ok
TOOMUCH Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:187 Points:19,270 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 3:16:08 PM Ignore TOOMUCH Report Abuse much needed information.
lazydoggs3 Veteran Author Fresno Posts:258 Points:30,535 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 11:53:51 AM Ignore lazydoggs3 Report Abuse Great article
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,962 Points:1,275,025 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 1:31:48 AM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Very true.
Tommyguns45 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:215 Points:132,865 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 8:58:09 AM Ignore Tommyguns45 Report Abuse Dont need one on our bicycles we ride at night.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,121 Points:292,685 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 12:55:11 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 12:23:36 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse very important many people don't know of or understand this part
pricewar Champion Author Ogden Posts:1,940 Points:274,240 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 12:34:21 AM Ignore pricewar Report Abuse my sensors say park the car and ride a horse, can't get any greener than that
dcone2 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:919 Points:84,635 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 7:43:03 PM Ignore dcone2 Report Abuse ok
bull2010 Sophomore Author Houston Posts:137 Points:456,880 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 7:00:44 PM Ignore bull2010 Report Abuse true,& if bad check eng light should stay on. if so get free computer check at any autozone. also important are plug wires,plugs,& or coil paks for fuel economy & engine smoothness.
repseng Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:165 Points:14,940 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 6:32:40 PM Ignore repseng Report Abuse K
txrojo2005 All-Star Author Austin Posts:766 Points:479,630 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 3:06:49 PM Ignore txrojo2005 Report Abuse I used to be able to work on my car. No longer. It is all computerized requiring dealer involvement.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 12:16:31 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse thanks for the info
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:939 Points:479,070 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 11:33:00 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse I was getting about 15 mpg before I changed the O2 sensor, it jumped to more than 20 mpg afterwards
DucatiRider Rookie Author Maryland Posts:70 Points:1,200 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:54:39 AM Ignore DucatiRider Report Abuse Truly wonderful technology. This allows the engine to run at near perfect tune at all times in all conditions.
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,104 Points:534,015 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 7:47:56 AM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse Good info
pricewar Champion Author Ogden Posts:1,940 Points:274,240 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2012 11:00:27 PM Ignore pricewar Report Abuse If your 02 sensor fails, your engine light will come on. if you can turn a wrench and with patience you can replace it yourself, saving you some ching ching ( ok money)
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,352 Points:1,481,010 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2012 2:41:25 PM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse good stuff
DeeLA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,813 Points:1,364,355 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2012 2:20:34 PM Ignore DeeLA Report Abuse I learned something from this article. Thanks for posting it.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 11:56:24 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse interesting
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 11:56:24 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse interesting
molebaby96 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:2,121 Points:505,165 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 8:39:12 AM Ignore molebaby96 Report Abuse I've changed a few and it does improve the gas mileage.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,962 Points:1,275,025 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 10:49:27 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Okay...thanks.
Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,329 Points:506,925 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 6:55:12 PM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse Putting a $2 bottle(WALMART) of fuel injector cleaner in your tank when you fill-up also cleans the sensors, and will turn off many "check engine" light problems within a few miles. Much cheaper chance than the dealer charge for diagnostics.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,246 Points:475,530 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 12:12:24 PM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Thank you
azra2011 Rookie Author Iowa Posts:9 Points:2,920 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2011 10:07:48 AM Ignore azra2011 Report Abuse The more you step on you accelaeator the more gas u waste. Dont drive your car fast,and dont use the gas to much or the breaks to much. This will help you save a little gas.
fedtx Sophomore Author Texas Posts:145 Points:18,635 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2011 9:02:04 PM Ignore fedtx Report Abuse My car has a sensor that comes on if the tire pressure is low. I like that feature. Otherwise I may be going flat and not know it.and also get reminded to check the pressure.
dorisntx Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,079 Points:645,855 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2011 8:39:31 PM Ignore dorisntx Report Abuse I need to check into this. My car's acting weird...
CivicMindedCA All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:535 Points:126,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2011 2:19:12 PM Ignore CivicMindedCA Report Abuse Tracking your mileage would make this easier to spot sooner.
SophiaCA Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,727 Points:283,635 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2011 5:45:02 PM Ignore SophiaCA Report Abuse need to check everything once a when you operate your car
Jmkinsey1984 Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:1,439 Points:346,510 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2011 10:01:04 PM Ignore Jmkinsey1984 Report Abuse I always make sure that I release my oxygen sensors
Eric2448 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,131 Points:230,900 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2011 1:45:32 AM Ignore Eric2448 Report Abuse Impressive.
Eric2448 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,131 Points:230,900 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2011 1:45:06 AM Ignore Eric2448 Report Abuse Impressive.
TulipBlue Rookie Author Michigan Posts:49 Points:1,220 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2011 4:56:38 AM Ignore TulipBlue Report Abuse Along with the Oxygen Sensors, Make sure Fuel cap stays tight and has a good seal. When in doubt,Replace it.
srqmale67 Champion Author Sarasota Posts:1,163 Points:237,585 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2011 9:03:55 PM Ignore srqmale67 Report Abuse I see
babygirlNC Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:156 Points:48,815 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 12:29:02 PM Ignore babygirlNC Report Abuse yes....
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 30, 2011 5:26:56 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse I have to get that checked out
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,516 Points:1,830,640 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 29, 2011 6:10:06 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Just changed mine last week
Bud76 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:4,082 Points:762,690 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2011 8:34:45 PM Ignore Bud76 Report Abuse My check engine light came on solid one of the culprits was the oxygen sensor then a week later had another check engine light episode this time my fuel cap needed to be replaced the cap was ten years old.
maxstar Champion Author Chicago Posts:18,484 Points:809,545 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2011 9:07:32 PM Ignore maxstar Report Abuse If your check engine light comes on it could be one of the oxygen sensors.
ToyotaJeeplady Rookie Author Ontario Posts:9 Points:420 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2011 11:05:04 AM Ignore ToyotaJeeplady Report Abuse There are too many computer gadgets on cars now. Repair stations now need a computer expert and a mechanic. Gone are the days when you could look after your whole car.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,516 Points:1,830,640 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2011 6:59:09 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Just had it replaced on the Toyota, And see a big difference.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,325,475 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 3:50:27 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Just keep track of your gas millage. If it drops then have your O2 sensor and whatever checked.