In wheels.ca, one motorist share his experience on his 1999 Mercury Cougar two-door hatchback which he noticed a considerable drop in fuel economy in city driving, although highway gas consumption did not change that much.

According to the technician, Tony Prochilo, there are many variables to consider when this happen. It can be based on vehicle speed, outside temperature, weather and traffic conditions, tire pressures and regular engine maintenance including tune-ups.

Another important factor, according to Prochilo is the car’s oxygen sensor. He said that along with improving vehicle emission, the oxygen sensor will also boost engine performance.

To remedy this problem, Prochilo advises to replace the existing oxygen sensor, for an ineffective sensor may cause the problem stated above.

Cars geared for racing are the best ‘guinea pigs’ for new upgrades in motor parts as well as body kit parts. These mean automobiles allow automakers to test the best blend of auto parts needed in order to boost the performance of the vehicle. One of the staples in every car slated for a speed battle is the oxygen sensor.

Racing events like Formula 3, NASCAR, American Le Mans Series and other speed meets in Europe and the United States are some of the best places to know if certain enhancing performance parts actually work. The rigid test drives and proper course tracks push the special add-ons, like the oxygen sensors, to the limit. Testing the prowess of the oxygen sensor as well and aiding the vehicle to win titles are the purpose of these parts.

Oxygen Sensors help regulate the proper mixture going into the engine. With the proper combination of air and fuel, the engine manages to maximize the fuel and in turn produce horsepower with much efficiency. Furthermore, oxygen sensors help maintain the power plant in mint condition.

“Our oxygen sensors help road racers keep their vehicle at peak efficiency and power under the most competitive of conditions,” said Wolfgang Hustedt, who is the motorsports manager for Bosch in US and Canada.

There is more to oxygen sensors than just being devices for emission control. Usually found in a vehicle’s exhaust manifold above the catalytic converter, the oxygen sensor or O2 sensor works in a complicated process in the emission system. Here are just some of the basics of oxygen sensor and O2 sensor technology gathered from the internet. This serves to provide readers snippets of what an oxygen sensor is.

What is an oxygen sensor and what does it do?

The oxygen sensor is a device resembling a spark plug that is responsible for measuring if the oxygen in the fuel on the engine is too rich or lean. The oxygen level detected is sent to a computer in the vehicle. Oxygen sensors are mde up of a ceramic body with a platinum tip. An oxygen sensor needs to have a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius before it starts to operate. That explains why it is placed in the very hot exhaust system. Oxygen sensors typically last 50,000 or more miles, even outlasting the life of a car.

How is an oxygen sensor tested?

An oxygen sensor can be tested by a high-impedance volt meter, which can be done either inside or outside the car.

What causes damage to an oxygen sensor?

Leaded gas is one of the enemies of oxygen sensors because it triggers plugging up or ruining of the device. Undercoating, antifreeze, or oil on the surface of the oxygen sensor can damage it, too.

How does one know if the O2 sensor is defective?

Like other auto parts, an oxygen sensor will succumb to wear and tear over time. The first to suffer the blow of bad oxygen sensors is the performance of the engine. A very noticeable sign is the loss of miles per gallon of fuel economy.

Sources: The Turbo Regal, WiseGeek.com

Oxygen sensors play crucial tasks. It is very important for car owners to know what will do well for the oxygen sensors. For instance, an indication that the oxygen sensors are failing will be loss in fuel efficiency. Remember that the oxygen sensors directly affect the performance of the engine. This is because of the engine computer. When an oxygen sensor has become inefficient, it will lead the car computer to guess the ratio between the air and the fuel that is needed for internal combustion. Hence, when the wrong amount is calculated, the engine will either consume more fuel than it is supposed to. One must take note, since this could hint a bad oxygen sensor.

Another important thing to note is how oxygen sensors are prone to damage with leaded fuel. The job of the sensor is to attain the perfect mixture—not a rich one and not a lean one—otherwise the fuel may only clog up the sensor. Also, testing the sensors will not be harmful before purchasing them. This will only let one know if the sensors are well-functioning, and accurate.

Knowing the ins and outs of the sensors will do a great deal for the owner. Remember that aside from ensuring clean car emissions, the sensors also help in getting the best in fuel efficiency.

Source: http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/O2_Sensor.html

In every car, there is a small amber lamp that can be found in the dashboard. It is a tiny bulb that is behind a plastic pane about the size of a 1×1 ID picture. On it, an important message is inscribed. Normally, the words “check engine” can be found on it. As for other vehicles, is says “service engine soon.” These phrases, however telling they are, does not have in them the sense of urgency that will make the owners of these autos to have their engines checked as soon as possible. When this light flashes, it is important for vehicle owners to actually make time to have their engines inspected.

The check engine light, also known as the malfunction indication light (MIL for short), lights up when there were detected problems with the engine ranging from the most simple to somewhat complicated ones. Most often than not, the MIL comes on if the gas cap is not screwed tight enough. Also a common problem is when the oil dipstick is not pushed all the way. These are minor problems that may occur in one’s engine. Other than these, the check engine light could also signify semi-minor problems like a faulty oxygen sensor. Having a faulty oxygen sensor leads to poor fuel economy and poor exhaust emissions. The engine is one of the most vital components of one’s vehicle. In order to enjoy a good ride, one must take care of the engine and address the MIL when it lights up.

A new gas analyzer that would measure the small concentrations of oxygen that are present in fuels has been developed by Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D). The company calls it the Oxymat v64. This is an oxygen sensor and it quantifies down to the levels of 0 to 10 parts per million. Thus this oxygen sensor is suitable to be used for technical gas production, welding applications, air separation plants, food and beverage industry, hardening shops, and chemical industry. The new 19-inch gas analyzer continues the series of Oxymat 6 which has been used foe ten years now with measuring qualities of up to 50 parts per million.

This new oxygen sensor makes use of the same display unit and operator interface like the other devices of the series. Besides those, it also employs the same mechanical components and electronic modules. The analyzer’s core is also available commercially which is the tubular ZrO2 or zirconium dioxide sensor that’s already field-proven for a lot of years. The sensor is warmed up to 650 degree Celcius and the sample gases flow through them in a steady flow rate, while the sensor’s exterior is exposed to the ambient air. The concentration difference on both sides results in a possible inconsistency that is a gauge of the concentration of oxygen in the sample gas. There is an option between a catalytical inactive ZrO2 sensor and a catalytical active ZrO2 sensor and it depends on the application. These active and inactive ZrO2 sensors are both characterized by a high level of linearity but their difference lies in the electrode materials which react differently to the accompanying combustible components.

It is a known fact that oxygen sensors are used for cleaner emissions as well as help for a more efficient fuel combustion. Not everybody knows that there are car parts available in the market today that can help the oxygen sensor operate better. One product is the Sabertec Blade that claims to help vehicles burn less gas by simply sticking it to the tailpipe. Sabertec did not fully explain oh the product works and Sabertec’s website once said that “Sabertec can not say with absolute certainly how or why the Blade works.” But the best explanation Sabertec was able to give is that Blade can reduce the amount of heat that escapes the exhaust system. This process actually helps the catalytic converter become more efficient and the oxygen sensor to get more accurate readings.

Tested in Lactec Laboratories in Brazil, Blade can make a vehicle greener and reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide and other pollutants. The Laboratory said that the average vehicles using Blade can have a 20% increase in fuel economy. Sabertec also said that Blade can reduce emission noise as well as can be help motorists save gas money. Sabertec Blade is sold for $150.

For more details regarding Blade’s efficiency, simply check their website.

Story is based on the news reported by scifi.com