This alert is almost always the result of a tripped oxygen, aka O2, sensor. Of course, it could also mean that your vehicle is not running properly resulting in an excessive amount of emissions. The oxygen sensor, also known as a lambda sensor, was developed in the late s by Dr.
This sensor is an electronic device used to measure the proportional amount of oxygen in a liquid or gas. The original oxygen sensor was made using ceramic coated zirconia and platinum. In order to make the O2 sensor more capable of mass production, planar oxygen sensors were developed.
Made using layers of High-Temperature Cofired Ceramic HTCC green tapes, the current style of the sensor is made more efficient than the original style sensors. Find a Meineke Shop Nearby. All cars that were manufactured post feature an oxygen sensor.
It is located within the emissions control system. When functioning, the O2 sensor sends data to the management computer located within the engine. In your car, a functioning O2 sensor ensures that your engine is running at top performance.
Additionally, this sensor keeps your emissions in check and alerts you to when emissions are too excessive. For states that have vehicle inspection programs to regulate emissions, the use of the CEL and O2 light will alert officials to any excessive emissions.
As a result, if one or more of your oxygen sensors is faulty during an emissions inspection for your car, you will most likely not pass the inspection. The actual number of oxygen sensors for a car depends on the year, make, model and engine.
However, most of the later model vehicles have four oxygen sensors. Note the following specific vehicles that have four oxygen sensors:. When a gasoline-powered engine burns gasoline there is oxygen present. Oxygen in an engine is the result of a number of factors including the air temperature, altitude, engine temperature, load on the engine, and barometric pressure.
The ideal ratio for oxygen and gasoline is In the instance that there is less oxygen present fuel will remain after combustion, which is referred to as a rich mixture. On the other hand, if there is more oxygen present it is referred to as a lean mixture.
Both the rich and lean mixtures are bad for your car, as well as for the environment. A rich mixture results in a fuel that is not burned that creates pollution.