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Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

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Oxygen Sensor

December 26, 2016 by Denver Express Car Care

Oxygen SensorMany people hear the term “Oxygen Sensor” and figure it must have something to do with sensing oxygen, but don’t really know much beyond that.  Let’s break it down:  your vehicle has an oxygen sensor in the exhaust manifold that measures how much unburned oxygen there is in the exhaust.  The sensor reports its findings to the engine control unit (ECU), which knows how much oxygen there should be in the exhaust.  Based on that information, the ECU will adjust the amount of fuel it sends to the engine.

This feedback and adjustment loop continues non-stop.  The goal is to have the optimal air to fuel ratio for performance, efficiency, and to lower harmful emissions.

There is a second oxygen sensor located in the exhaust pipe behind the catalytic converter.  It too measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust, after it has been treated by the catalytic converter.  As the measurement is reported back to the ECU, the computer compares the oxygen levels before and after the catalytic converter to determine if the converter is still functioning properly.

So, 4-cylinder vehicles have two oxygen sensors.  V-6 and V-8 engines have four sensors, two for each bank of cylinders.  As you can imagine, the oxygen sensor lives and functions in a pretty hot environment so they will wear out over time.  Substances in the exhaust can also damage them leading to failure.  Outside elements like water and road salt can corrode an oxygen sensor and when the sensor goes bad it needs to be replaced.

You may be interested to know that oxygen sensors are often replaced needlessly.  When the oxygen sensor returns a measurement that is out of the specified range, it may trigger a trouble code in the ECU and the check engine light is illuminated.  Inexperienced do-it-yourselfers or part store employees may misinterpret a trouble code that reports an out of range sensor reading.  That could mean that the sensor is bad, but it could also mean that the sensor is accurately reporting a condition caused by some other malfunction.  A skilled diagnostician can sort this out and will only replace the oxygen sensor when it has truly gone bad.

When you have a check engine light come on and stay on, it’s good advice to have it checked out by a qualified service technician at Express Car Care.  The cause may be minor or quite significant, so it’s best to play it safe and let the professionals check it out.

Filed Under: Engine Tagged With: Oxygen Sensor

Car Maintenance To Make Your Old Car Like New Again

July 26, 2013 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

It is no secret that times are hard. More and more people are watching what they spend and finding ways to save money. One major way people are saving money is by avoiding a new car purchase. Buying a new car means taking out a loan – unless you have the cold, hard cash and most people do not have that kind of money.

Car Maintenance To Make Your Old Car Like New AgainSo, instead of buying new, people are finding ways to take better care of their current car to extend its life. The maintenance is worth the money because more and more cars are staying on the highway well past 100,000 miles. Here are some tips to help you keep your current car rolling down the road.

  • Take care of your muffler, catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. When your check engine light comes on, that is your car’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Pay attention to what it is saying. If it is determined that you need a new oxygen sensor, go ahead and replace it. However, if the same problem keeps happening, it is time to replace the catalytic converter, muffler and the sensors. Your car will run smoother, have more power, and get better gas mileage. Let us check the condition of your car to ensure running longer. Express Car Care of Denver auto repair can help if you do break down.
  • Flush more than just your radiator. Everyone knows that a radiator system should be flushed. However, your power steering fluid and your brake fluid should also be flushed to get rid of any build-up that may have developed over time.
  • Have your air conditioning system cleaned and deodorized. This will help keep your system running efficiently and keep it from having an obnoxious odor (a common problem after several years of use).
  • Replace your ball joints and struts or shocks. Your car may not be exhibiting signs that those items need replaced, but when you start racking up the miles, it pays to prevent a problem, rather than wait for a problem to occur. Not only will you be riding in a safer car, your car will ride much better.
  • Have your wheels (not your tires) aligned or replaced. Over time, your wheels can wear down in spots. Having someone align them and fix all the areas of wear and tear will improve the ride.

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Denver Auto Repair, Oxygen Sensor, Radiator Flush, Transmisison

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

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Monday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Thursday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Friday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

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