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Sterling McCall GMC can help you identify the signs of a bad oxygen sensor.
There are many unique sensors a car uses daily, perhaps one of the most vital ones is an O2 sensor, which is required for a car to perform at its very best. With all of the exhaust fumes a vehicle creates, it’s important to have to be aware of the oxygen levels in the exhaust gases. The O2 sensor plays an important part to play in tracking a vehicle’s O2 amount to make sure the engine is efficiently using its gas. A good-working O2 sensor will be an important cog for a consistent running car. Still, a bad O2 sensor will most likely cause bad fuel efficiency, a horrible odor from your vehicle, and a poorly running engine. Here we’ll go deeper into things to watch out for while driving your car that could be easy-to-see symptoms of a poorly-working oxygen sensor.
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Whenever you’re riding on the highway and smell something rotten out of your vehicle, this could be a quick sign that the O2 sensor is failing. If you ever start to keep track of some differences from bad engine performance, engine misfires, or loud noises, this could be a clear symptom of the oxygen sensor potentially having issues. One of the most devastating things that can be a result of a bad O2 sensor is a catalytic converter failing suddenly, which may be a nuisance to handle.
Similar to many different parts of a vehicle, O2 sensors could break down over time and begin to go bad. But if you aren’t paying attention, a failed oxygen sensor could begin to bring major issues all over your car. A build-up of contaminated coolant or oil ash could lead to an oxygen sensor failing, so a selection of fuel or oil is incredibly essential. Due to its location in a vehicle, it’s better that you bring your vehicle to our professional mechanics to have it checked or hooked up with an OEM oxygen sensor replacement.
It’s best that you stray away from driving with a failed oxygen sensor as your powertrain is not running on the correct fuel mixture. Though it might perform okay in the beginning, if the engine is running rich and using too much fuel it could end up clogging the catalytic converter. Considering the possible cost to replace O2 sensors is a lot less than a brand-new catalytic converter, it’s better to make this investment earlier. Also, if your vehicle is more than 15 years old or has over 60,000 miles on the road you should consider getting new O2 sensors for lower pollution and better performance.
Sterling McCall GMC is an ideal place to get. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your truck or SUV service online or in person today.
