Oxygen Sensors In Your Car – Understanding Its Role In The Mechanism

When you think of the normal workings of your car, the most common parts that come into mind to make the machinery run is the engine, the wheels and the controls. In the simplest format, a car runs because of the engine that is responsible for burning the gas being pumped in through the fuel tank. This reaction releases the energy that makes the wheels of your car turn, getting it to move forward. You can consider this as the crudest explanation of the workings of a car.

But we all know that in reality, there are far too many variables at work here, which all function together in perfect harmony to create the lovely, beautiful and powerful vehicle that we adore with all our hearts. An important part of this overall machinery, one that is much overlooked, is the oxygen sensor. That’s right.. you probably wouldn’t even know that something like this exists in your car. But trust me when I say this, the oxygen sensor truly plays a vital role in making your car’s engine run smoothly. Let us understand more about it.

Oxygen sensors adjust the air fuel ratio in a combustion engine by sending a specific voltage to the ECM (electronic control module). It isn’t the only sensor that sends signals to the Emission Control System and controls it either. But any malfunction in this device can lead to serious issues with your car with a major drop in its engine’s performance levels. The basic job of the ECM is to regulate and control the fuel being injected into the engine of your car. These sensors measure various critical levels that are necessary to extract maximum performance from the machine. Based on the signals received by the ECM, it trims the air-fuel ratio and therefore, changes the chemistry of the fuel being burned by the engine. The oxygen sensor is the most important part of this system as it measures and controls the levels of oxygen being mixed with the fuel in your car, thereby maintaining requisite air levels being pumped into the engine.

Oxygen sensors started coming out in American cars in the 1980s. The early versions of the oxygen sensors were quite simple and only had one wire which transmitted the voltage. These types are called unheated. Later versions had their own heaters, had three wires, and were called heated. The latest devices of this kind are capable of heating up almost immediately and can therefore accurately regulate air-fuel ratio, helping to get better gas mileage and less exhaust gases. If the oxygen sensor of your car fails, it will not cause your car to stop running. However, it will run inefficiently, burning much more fuel that is necessary and causing higher levels of exhaust gases being emitted from the system. To get the best mileage from your car, it is necessary that you have a healthy oxygen sensor attached to the system.

You can visit Econox.ch to know more about oxygen sensors.

About The Author

Nathan Statham is an expert in oxygen sensing equipment and related devices who also likes to spread awareness in the masses about them through the articles and blogs he writes. He recommends Econox.ch as the best name to trust for high quality oxygen sensors online.

Nathan Statham is an expert in oxygen sensing equipment and related devices who also likes to spread awareness in the masses about them through the articles and blogs he writes.