As there is much progress with the world’s technology, the environment has been continuously suffering from the pollution that comes along with it. There is only one livable planet in the solar system and for this reason, it is of vital importance that we take care of it. There is no other place we can go to if this earth becomes unlivable like the other planets.

Rich White, the executive director of an online organization that gives advice on automotive maintenance, has given five preventive maintenance steps on how one can achieve a “greener car” that is friendly to the environment.

The first and the most important step is to keep one’s car properly tuned. This will enable the car to perform well for a well-tuned engine has the capacity to promote fuel economy. Aside from this, a well-tuned engine also produces the lowest level of emissions. The typical tune-up in the 21^st century includes the following system checks: battery, charging, starting, engine mechanical, powertrain control, fuel, ignition, and emissions. Having one’s car undergo regular tune-ups improve on gas mileage by around 4 percent and having to fix a serious maintenance problem, like a worn down oxygen sensor can improve on gas mileage by over 40 percent.

Not only does a properly tuned engine able to optimize gas consumption, it also helps one keep the planet livable. Maintaining a car in good condition does not only serve to benefit the car owner with a good running car but it also helps in having breathable air for generations to come.

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.

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.

The key to a well functioning oxygen sensor (or any car part for that matter) all boils down to proper maintenance and care. Hence, a regular inspection of the oxygen sensors need to be conducted by the car owner, preferably guided by a professional mechanic at first, so that its condition will be observed visually too.

When it comes to inspecting the oxygen sensors, an oscilloscope is best used to “test the sensor’s ability to respond to changes in the exhaust content”. This special device will help during the engine performance service. It also measures the response time of the sensors, and it will be able to provide a more “definitive diagnosis”.

There are a few tips on how to determine the efficiency of the oxygen sensors. At the same time, these will also determine if the O2 Sensors are able to respond accurately to rich and lean conditions. This will be applicable to any O2 sensor at all, for instance your Mercedes-Benz Oxygen Sensor. Hence:

-Connect the oscilloscope leading to the oxygen sensor circuit. For vehicles that use a three or four-wire heated O2 sensor, bridging the connector that leads and tap into the signal wire with an appropriate test probe at the connector plug may be needed.

-Warm the engine to operating temperature, meaning, at least 350 degrees F or 600 degrees C. Run the engine at about 2500 rpm for two or three minutes to heat up the sensor.

-Hold engine speed at a steady, high idle between 1200 and 2000 rpm.

-Artificially drive the system rich (using propane) and lean (by opening the brake booster hose) as you observe the oscilloscope voltage reading. It should peg from .800 to .900 volt (full rich) to .100 to .200 volt (full lean).

Achieving the minimum and maximum sensor voltages are just a part of the picture. How fast these transitions occur is an equally important measure of O2 sensor health. Lean-to-rich and rich-to-lean transitions should occur in 300mS or less. If it is greater than that, this may indicate a worn or contaminated sensor.

After achieving this, all O2 sensors must be heated now. Heat can contribute to the oxygen sensor’s longevity, since it can be placed further downstream in the car’s exhaust system. This will greatly protect the sensor from any possibility of having thermal shocks that are often caused by the heating and cooling cycles of the engine. Another advantage of having heated sensors is that they can easily reach operating temperature and immediately start producing a sensing voltage without having to wait for the heat of the exhaust to warm them.