| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | management ECU computer. Based on this data, the |
| Preventive maintenanceĀthis is the main reason | | | | ECU computer would then adjust the amount of fuel |
| being cited by the leading oxygen sensor | | | | to be delivered to the engine. If the oxygen sensor |
| manufacturers why they would advice BMW owners | | | | gets damaged, this function of the ECU computer |
| to replace the O2 sensors of their vehicles | | | | would be compromised, usually resulting to feeding |
| periodically. A damaged oxygen sensor can greatly | | | | the engine with more gasoline than what it actually |
| increase the fuel consumption of a vehicle. Further, | | | | needs. Such richness in the fuel-to-air ratio would also |
| the failure of the BMW oxygen sensor may cause | | | | cause the catalytic converter to run hotter than |
| damages on other parts of the vehicle, especially on | | | | normal, a condition that may lead to the eventual |
| the catalytic converter which is necessary for | | | | failure of the converter. |
| emissions control. | | | | To prevent such things from happening, oxygen |
| An automotive oxygen sensor is a small electronic | | | | sensor manufacturers advise that oxygen sensors be |
| sensor inserted into the exhaust system of most | | | | replaced at regular intervals. For vehicles |
| engine-fueled vehicles, especially on those | | | | manufactured prior to the implementation of the |
| manufactured after 1980. Vehicles manufactured in | | | | OBDII, unheated oxygen sensors must be replaced |
| the 1980s are usually equipped with one or two | | | | after every 30,000 to 50,000 miles while heated |
| oxygen sensors, usually located on the branch | | | | oxygen sensors after every 60,000 miles. For those |
| manifold before the catalytic converter. This number, | | | | vehicles with OBDII ( vehicles manufactured in the |
| however, has been doubled after the introduction of | | | | mid-1990s and newer ), the replacement of oxygen |
| the Onboard Diagnostic II ( ODBII ), with the added | | | | sensors is recommended after every 100,000 miles. |
| sensors usually placed after the catalytic converter | | | | By replacing the BMW oxygen sensors at the said |
| to measure its efficiency. | | | | intervals, BMW owners will be assured that the |
| The main function of automotive oxygen sensors is | | | | emission levels and the fuel consumption of their |
| to measure the volume of oxygen remaining on the | | | | vehicles will be held at the minimum. The power |
| exhaust gas. The data obtained by the oxygen | | | | generation of the vehicle’s engine is also |
| sensor would then be delivered to the engine | | | | guaranteed to become more efficient. |