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Oxygen Sensors, or known as 02 Sensors, are explained in the article below.

What does an Oxygen Sensor do?

• Oxygen Sensors measure the oxygen content in your exhaust gas. The levels of oxygen in exhaust gas accurately indicates how complete the combustion process is. This is very important to your car as this data is transmitted to the car's ECU and fuel trims are adjusted accordingly. The 02 sensor helps monitor your air / fuel ratios and give you a indication of which direction the fuel trims need to be taken.

When do I need to change my Oxygen Sensor?

• Sensors should be tested every 3-4 months, In the interval periods, the following tips can show whether a sensor has reached the end of its service life:
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Higher exhaust emissions
  • Surging and/or hesitation
  • Rough idling
  • A ECU Error showing 02 sensor problems

Why do I need to change my Oxygen Sensor?

• Failed and/or poorly operating oxygen sensors can cause a inaccurate readings of your air/fuel ratio, which would in turn make your ECU see these incorrect settings. Your ECU would be correcting the fuel trims based off of incorrect data, thus causing poor performance. In addition, exhaust emissions can increase dramatically, and poor driveability may also result.

Does an Oxygen Sensor fail?

• Most 02 sensors fail due to decontamination or continued use of racing additives / race gas. Most sensors slowly degrade in performance and send a false rich signal to the ECU, running the engine too lean.

What effect do fuel additives and injector cleaners have on Oxygen Sensors?

• Fuel additives and injector cleaners that are labeled as "oxygen sensor safe" may be used in sensor equipped vehicles. Stay away from additives that do not carry this distinction.