Skip to main content

AUTONET TV


Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)

Posted August 4, 2024 3:12 AM

If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent.  But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it should.

The oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is in your exhaust.  If there's too much, it means there's a problem with the mixture of fuel and air.  The sensor sends signals to computers in your engine and adjusts the mixture so it maximizes performance and efficiency.  It does this constantly. 

Many vehicles have multiple oxygen sensors.  Some have one close to the engine, another close to the muffler.  Two measurements are better than one since they allow readings to be more accurate.  You may have a vehicle with a dual exhaust, so you'd have twice as many oxygen sensors.

Your oxygen sensors can fail.  One thing that can damage them is contamination from bad fuel.  The sensors can simply wear out, though they usually last a long time.  It's not unusual for an oxygen sensor to last 100,000 miles/160,000 km. One more thing that can cause an oxygen sensor to fail is residue from an engine that's burning oil.  Plus contaminants from the road like salt can also cause problems. 

Here are some signs that your oxygen sensors might be failing.

  • The Check Engine light goes on.  In this case, your service facility can plug in a device that will read the code in your engine's computer to see if that's the problem.
  • The engine is running roughly.
  • Black, sooty smoke is coming out of your tailpipe.
  • Your fuel economy is noticeably lower than it used to be.

Head to your service facility and tell your advisor what symptoms your vehicle is experiencing.  They have the equipment and training to track down the issue.  Note that simply replacing the oxygen sensor is often not enough since it doesn't get to the root of the problem; other repairs may be needed. 

So make sure your oxygen sensors are working the way they should be.  Oh, and back to the question of what gas makes up most of the Earth's air?  It's nitrogen, which comprises 78 percent of the air we—and our engines—breathe.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
http://www.mufflerandgo.net



Search



Archive

March 2019 (18)
April 2019 (4)
May 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
August 2019 (4)
September 2019 (5)
October 2019 (4)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (5)
April 2024 (4)
May 2024 (4)
June 2024 (5)
July 2024 (4)
August 2024 (4)
September 2024 (5)
October 2024 (4)
November 2024 (4)
December 2024 (5)
January 2025 (4)
February 2025 (4)
March 2025 (5)
April 2025 (4)
May 2025 (4)
June 2025 (5)
July 2025 (4)
August 2025 (4)

Categories

Tires and Wheels (4)Maintenance (5)Auto Safety (2)Battery Replacement (1)Service Standards (2)Dashboard (1)Battery (5)Alternator (6)What Customers Should Know (50)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)Oil Change (2)Automotive News (2)Customer Detective Work (1)Winter Prep (2)Windshield Wipers (2)Fluids (5)Brakes (9)Exhaust (3)Inspection (3)Shocks & Struts (2)Steering (7)Older Vehicles (1)Air Conditioning (5)Drive Train (2)Spark Plugs (1)Winter Tires (1)Tire Rotation and Balancing (3)Fuel System (4)Tires (5)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Fuel Economy (4)Trip Inspection (1)PCV Valve (1)Alignment (4)Timing Belt (2)Transmission (2)Brake Service (2)Differential Service (2)Fuel Pump (1)Check Engine Light (1)Cabin Air Filter (1)Water Pump (1)Headlamps (1)Cooling System (4)Engine Air Filter (1)Safety (2)TPMS (2)Safe Driving (1)Shocks and Struts (2)

image-people-driving

OUR REVIEWS

 (181 Reviews)
image-quotes
reviewicon

This review covers work performed by Muffler & Go (M&G) over the summer of 2025 on 3 different vehicles our household owns. The first car was my son's 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, which he purchased with a relatively new exhaust system already installed. The exhaust components themselves were great but the installation was awful. We brought the car to M&G to have the dual exhaust removed, pieces modified (cutting, bending, welding) and reinstalled by Kevin (their top custom exhaust specialist). The result was truly a work of art. The exhaust was routed through some tight areas in a way where nothing rubbed, rattled or was in the way as it had before. Because of the work done on my son's car, I decided to bring in my newly restored (after sitting 37 years) 1968 Chrysler New Yorker to have its dual exhaust system completely replaced. Again Kevin was given the job, this time to create a complete custom stainless steel exhaust system. Somehow Kevin was able to route the pipes to fit through some tight areas and tuck the pipes and mufflers very close to the bottom of the car in a way that honestly looks better than what the factory had done. I later found a slight rattling that only occurred under certain conditions and the owner, Chris Burke, told me to bring it in and he'd have it taken care of while I waited, which they did. Within two weeks of the installation, I then realized the mufflers that were chosen were just a bit too loud for me. Since I originally agreed with M&G to install these particular mufflers, I thought I was going to have to pay to exchange them for quieter ones. However Chris offered to exchange them for a quieter pair free of charge (for both the mufflers and the labor to exchange them). You just can't ask for better customer satisfaction efforts than this! I am now super happy with the sound and the quality of the installation. The third car we brought in was my son's daily driver, a 2014 Chevy Equinox with the Ecotec 2.4 inline 4 cylinder. Because we brought it in to M&G with a potentially damaging loose timing chain (a VERY common problem on this engine), Chris said it was an urgent issue and arranged to get in right away. Eventually the timing chain and associated components were replaced along with a new engine valve cover with integrated PCV, oil & filter and spark plugs. Got my son's car back on the road within two days and averted potential disaster from a broken timing chain. Later, we took the Equinox in again for a cooling system flush, brake system flush, two wheel alignment, replace all brake rotors & pads and replace parking brake shoe & lining w/ parking brake kit before my son drove back to college 500 miles away. We've decided to switch all of our car service needs over to Muffler & Go after seeing the quality of work that they do and Chris taking considerable time to show me around the shop, explain the way they find parts as inexpensively as possible and introduce me to their service specialists. The front desk and waiting area is immaculate and reflects Chris's need for neatness and order. The shop area is well organized and you can tell everything is well maintained. They also have the latest in diagnostic testing equipment so they're able to perform service on many things other shops may not be able to do. In terms of pricing (as the owner will also tell you) they aren't the cheapest or the most expensive. Based on what I have experienced over the years at this and other shops, I'd say their pricing is in line with what you'd expect from a shop that uses the right parts and does an exceptional job of installation & servicing. There's a great deal of automotive expertise in their employees and Chris himself told me he works hard to treat them well in order to keep them. I've long known Muffler & Go has a great reputation and I now know why. Their business name is Muffler & Go but it is obvious that they do much more than exhaust systems. I'm one of their newest customers and I can say I'm 5 star satisfied so far.

, 08/26/2025

partners

ACDelco
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
Federated Car Care
ASE Master Technician
Chamber
Moog
Walker
Parts Plus
Car Care Aware