The oxygen sensor, which is also called the Lambda sensor, was pioneered by Bosch and is currently used in cars produced in the last 20 to 25 years,
Being a critical part of the engine system, a faulty oxygen sensor can drastically affect the engine's output.
The engine may end up injecting the wrong amount of fuel into the combustion chambers, resulting in wasted fuel and increased exhaust emissions.
Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) said that since oxygen sensors are an unseen car part, most drivers are not aware of their existence.
Hence, there is a lack of awareness on its important function in car safety and ensuring how reliably the car runs.
Potential signs of faulty oxygen sensors
> Your car is less responsive or experiences sluggish acceleration.
> Your car has trouble keeping constant speed.
> Higher than usual petrol consumption due to inefficient or incomplete burning of petrol.
A faulty oxygen sensor can be alerted through the ‘engine’ symbol on the dashboard.
This will not always relate to the oxygen sensor but still offers an indication that something is wrong with the engine.
When noticing these signs, Bosch AA strongly recommends drivers to have a mechanic perform maintenance check on the oxygen sensor as it may need replacing.
In worst-case scenarios, it can accelerate damage to the catalytic converter, an important part of the exhaust system, which can be expensive to replace or repair.
As a rule of thumb, Bosch AA highly recommends a check on the oxygen sensor every 30,000km.
Bosch AA offers two types of oxygen sensors - the Bosch Original series offers options that are vehicle specific, while the Bosch Universal range provides a universal option that fits most vehicles.
To find out more about Bosch’s range of oxygen sensors, drivers can visit Bosch Car Service or Bosch Preferred Workshops (https://bit.ly/MYDealers).
For more information, log on to Bosch Autoparts Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BoschAA.MY/).
