What Can Damage Your Car’s Oxygen Sensor?

Oxygen sensors, or O2 sensors, are small instruments in your car that measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. As you may know, your engine needs When there is a lack of oxygen, the engine runs rich, making it challenging to accelerate. 

 

Common Causes for Failing Oxygen Sensor

The typical causes for faulty O2 sensors include faulty wiring, electrical problems, poor insulation, and clogged fuel injectors. When your engine suffers from drastic pressure changes, it can affect the air pressure. Additionally, corrosion from improper combustion, poor heating, electrical voltage spikes from poor grounding, and dirty air filters.

 

When your oxygen sensor stops working, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Lack of engine power
  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Lowered fuel economy
  • Black exhaust smoke
  • Failure to pass an emissions test

When Should You Replace the Oxygen Sensor?

When the sensor no longer works or fails to report accurate readings, you may need to stop driving your vehicle altogether. It is important that you take your car, SUV, or truck to a trusted auto repair shop. At Guthrie’s Auto Service Inc, we can test, repair, and replace your oxygen sensor. Typically, automakers recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 90,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your automobile.

 

If you need a new oxygen sensor for your vehicle, we invite you to bring your vehicle to Guthrie’s Auto Service Inc. Feel free to give us a call or schedule an appointment online with us today.