and is the oxygen sensor vital to the cars opperation, what does it do?
2006-10-24 22:43:36 · 6 answers · asked by csnape2003 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The oxygen sensor is an important part of the engine management control system in your car. The signal from the sensor tells the engine management computer what the fuel-air ratio is at any given instant.
Careful control of the mixture under all operating conditions is important to engine efficiency and exhaust emissions control.
Most cars also have one downstream of the catalytic converter. This is used to both verify the proper operation of the catalyst as well as to control its operating temperature. Catalytic converters work best in a very narrow temperature band.
The O2 sensor is critical to the proper operation of the emissions control system. If it or the associated wiring fails, the engine management system will shift to "limp home" mode. The engine will continue to run but fuel economy and performance will drop off significantly because the computer system will lock in settings to keep emissions low without regard to engine performance. It will also turn the "Service Engine" light on on the dash to let you know that something is wrong with the engine management system. If you are subject to emissions testing, your car will automatically fail the test if the light is on.
2006-10-24 23:09:21 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oxy sensor checks how much unused oxygen is coming out of the engine. The computer also checks the temperature. Then the computer will richen up the engine slightly, using up more of the oxygen until the combustion is the most efficient, moving your car down the road with the least amount of fuel.
2006-10-24 23:55:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The O2 sensor tells the computer if the fuel mixture is rich or lean.
The computer regulates the fuel mixture for proper operation of the engine. And is very important to the system.
Master tech 40 yrs.
2006-10-24 23:45:32 · answer #3 · answered by Cal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your car also has a computer . it gets readings from the sensors to make the engine run at top efficiencie .
2006-10-24 22:54:20 · answer #4 · answered by martinmm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have a sensor before the catalytic convertor and one after they each give the engine a reading so it knows how to adjust the air/fuel mixture for emmisions pupose's
2006-10-24 23:00:37 · answer #5 · answered by gwoods1210 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it tells the computer how much gas/air to allow into the engine.
2006-10-24 22:51:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋