Sterling McCall Chevrolet can help you identify the symptoms of a malfunctioning O2 sensor.
There are many unique sensors a car utilizes on a day-to-day basis, perhaps one of the more important ones is an oxygen sensor, which is needed for a vehicle to drive at its very best. Because of all of the exhaust fumes a car produces, your vehicle will need to be aware of the O2 levels produced in the exhaust gases. The sensor plays a crucial role in keeping track of a car’s O2 levels to make sure the engine is correctly burning its fuel. A good-working O2 sensor will be an essential cog for a consistent running car. Still, a bad O2 sensor will most likely lead to bad smells from your car, poor gasoline economy, and affect your engine’s performance ability. Here you’ll learn more about things to watch for when driving your car that could be telltale symptoms of a failed oxygen sensor.
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Whenever you’re driving on the highway and smell something harsh from your car, that could be a crucial sign that the oxygen sensor is failing. If you ever start to pick up on some differences from poor engine performance, misfires, or loud noises, this could be a symptom of the oxygen sensor potentially having issues. A severe issue a failing O2 sensor might cause is a sudden catalytic converter failure, which could cost a lot of money to replace and might have your vehicle stuck in the shop for a bit.
Similar to many different parts of a vehicle, O2 sensors could wear down after lots of usage and start to go bad. But if you don’t pay attention, a failed O2 sensor can begin to show major issues all over your car. A build-up of contaminated coolant or oil ash can lead to an oxygen sensor failing, so your choice in oil or fuel is superbly important. Due to its placement in a car, it’s better that you bring your vehicle to our trained mechanics to get it looked at or hooked up with an OEM O2 sensor replacement.
We recommend not driving with a bad oxygen sensor as your powertrain isn’t running on the correct fuel mixture. While it may seem fine, if your powertrain is over-using its fuel and running rich it could begin to clog the catalytic converter. Considering the cost to get new O2 sensors is much less than purchasing a catalytic converter, it’s better to make this investment now. Additionally, if your vehicle is over 15 years old or has over 60,000 miles you might want to think about getting new oxygen sensors for optimal engine performance and lower pollution.
Sterling McCall Chevrolet is a great place to get vehicle repair in the Houston area. We gladly service all makes and models of vehicles. Visit our dealership online or in person to schedule service and repair for your car, truck, SUV, or van. Our knowledgeable technicians are ready to serve you.
