Monday, September 14, 2015

Exactly What Does The O2 Sensor On Cars Do

O2 sensors detector your engine's fuel-to-air ratio.


Computerized engine systems rely on heterogeneous sensors to detect performance and emissions problems. O2 (Oxygen) sensors monitor your engine's fuel concoction to conduct your motorcar running cleanly and efficiently.


Requirements


Every advanced motorcar has an Oxygen sensor that measures emissions in its exhaust. Inaugural introduced on 1976's Volvo 240, Oxygen sensors are normally in the exhaust manifold, or endure the catalytic converter on newer cars. Federal emissions regulation has doubled the numeral of Oxygen sensors required on cars and aglow trucks built by reason of 1996.


Fuel-to-Air Ratio


When the fuel-to-air ratio is rich, the voltage measures about 0.9 volts; when it's lean, the voltage measures about 0.2 volts. A measurement of 0.45 indicates the correct fuel-to-air ratio. Newer OBD II sensors also monitor the performance of the catalytic converter, to make sure it's removing harmful pollutants from your exhaust. O2 sensors ensure that your engine gets the correct mixture of fuel and oxygen, regardless of altitude, engine temperature and air flow.


Measurements


When an O2 sensor gets hot, it produces a voltage that measures the difference between oxygen in the air and oxygen in the exhaust.Engines bear an epitome fuel-to-air ratio that results in elevated efficiency and low emissions. Oxygen sensors watchdog the size of O2 in the exhaust, and relay the confidence to the car's fuel-injection system, which adjusts the fuel-to-air ratio accordingly. Too little air indicates a "rich" mixture, which means that more unburned fuel winds up in the exhaust. Too much air results in a "lean" mixture, which can reduce performance and increase pollution.