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Sterling McCall Honda can help you identify what the signs of a bad O2 sensor are.
Looking at all the unique sensors a car uses on a day-to-day basis, perhaps one of the most vital sensors is the oxygen sensor, which is required for a car to perform at its top-notch ability. Because of all of the exhaust gasses a car creates, your car will need something that knows the oxygen levels produced in the exhaust gasses. The O2 sensor has an important part to play in tracking a car’s O2 levels to make sure the engine is efficiently using its gasoline. A functional oxygen sensor will be an important cog for a consistent running vehicle. Still, a poor oxygen sensor will probably cause bad fuel economy, a horrible odor from your car, and a poorly running powertrain. Here we’ll discuss symptoms to look out for when driving your car that can be telltale symptoms of a poorly-working O2 sensor.
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If you’re ever driving on the road and smell something rotten out of your vehicle, this could be a crucial sign that the O2 sensor is going bad. If you begin to keep track of some differences like poor powertrain performance, engine misfires, or loud noises, that could be a clear symptom of the oxygen sensor potentially having issues. A huge problem a failing O2 sensor could happen is a sudden catalytic converter failure, which could cost a lot of money to replace and might have your car in the shop for a long time.
Like many different parts of a car, O2 sensors could wear down over time and start to fail. But if you aren’t paying close attention, a failed O2 sensor can lead to major problems all over your car. A build-up of contaminated coolant or oil ash could lead to an O2 sensor failing, so your choice in gas or oil is incredibly essential. Because of its placement in a vehicle, it’s better that you visit our trained mechanics to have it checked or get an OEM O2 sensor replacement.
It’s best that you stray away from using your vehicle with a bad oxygen sensor as the engine is not running on the right fuel mixture. While it might perform okay in the beginning, if the engine is using too much fuel and running rich it could end up clogging the catalytic converter. Looking at the price of replacing O2 sensors is a lot less than buying a brand-new catalytic converter, it’s better to make this decision earlier. Also, if your car is over 15 years old or has over 60,000 miles on the road you should consider getting new oxygen sensors for lower pollution and better performance.
Sterling McCall Honda 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 minivan. Our knowledgeable technicians are ready to serve you.
