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Oxygen Sensors

Got a Driveability Problem?

Poor mileage?
Rough running engine?
Failed inspection? If your car was manufactured after 1980, chances are it uses one or more Oxygen () Sensors to help keep the engine running smoothly and help control excess exhaust emissions.

The Sensor is a key part of today's sophisticated car and light truck engine.
Yet it's also one of the most commonly overlooked causes of many of today's driveability problems.

An Sensor that's not functioning or not working properly can cause more than just higher emissions levels in your vehicle. It can cost you money:

It can have you going back for tune-up after tune-up.
It can seriously damage your car's catalytic converter.
And it can cost you the equivalent of 6 extra fill-ups a year, 70 gallons of gas or more, in reduced mileage alone.

How an Oxygen Sensor Works in Your Engine.

An Sensor is used by your car's on-board computer to measure and report the amount of oxygen passing through the exhaust system when the car is running. It continually monitors the exhaust, looking for a precise mixture of 14.7 parts of air to 1 part of fuel. This is the ideal air/fuel mixture ratio for today's gasoline engine.

Whenever the Sensor detects an air/fuel mixture higher or lower than 14.7 to 1, it immediately tells the computer to either add or reduce the amount of fuel being sent to the engine until the correct mixture is achieved. This "sense-signal-correct" process can happen many times a second on the average car.

What Happens When Your Oxygen Sensor Needs to be Replaced?

The heart of today's Sensor is a special ceramic element that actually extends into your exhaust pipe. Its unique composition and construction allow it to simultaneously sample the oxygen in your exhaust and the oxygen in the air outside, and continually compare them.

Sensors operate in your exhaust system at temperatures above . The sensor can be damaged or ruined:
If your engine runs rich (too much fuel) for a long period of time,
or if you use leaded gasoline even briefly,
or if any of a number of engine malfunctions cause a build-up of carbon on the ceramic element. The part of the sensor outside the exhaust pipe is sensitive, too. If undercoating, antifreeze, engine oil or some silicone gasket sealers come into contact with it, they damage the sensor's ability to report to the computer, leaving the sensor useless.

Why Your Service Professional May Suggest a New Niehoff brand Oxygen Sensor.

If testing by your service professional indicates that you need a new Sensor, chances are, he'll recommend you replace it with a new Niehoff brand Sensor. This is because in testing of numerous Sensors used by car manufacturers today, results have shown that many Sensors don't use the proper ceramic element for best results in your engine.

Niehoff has used this data to create precise ceramic elements for best performance and maximum life in your make or model of car or light truck. The result is an Sensor that meets or exceeds the quality and performance specifications set by your car's manufacturer. There simply is not a better Sensor available today for your car at any price, or one in which your service professional has greater confidence.

Why Niehoff brand?

For over 70 years, the Niehoff brand name has meant top quality and value to America's drivers, do-it-yourselfers and professional automotive technicians.

There's simply no better way to guarantee that every part that's installed in your car or truck has been designed, manufactured, tested and warranted to meet or exceed every standard set by today's car manufacturers for performance and long life than to look for the Niehoff brand name.

And there are no better parts you can buy to keep your car or truck running at its best longer. Always ask for genuine Niehoff brand parts.

Things You Should Know Index | Next

Things You Should Know Index \| Next
Oxygen Sensors
Got a Driveability Problem?
Poor mileage? Rough running engine? Failed inspection? If your car was manufactured after 1980, chances are it uses one or more Oxygen () Sensors to help keep the engine running smoothly and help control excess exhaust emissions. The Sensor is a key part of today's sophisticated car and light truck engine. Yet it's also one of the most commonly overlooked causes of many of today's driveability problems. An Sensor that's not functioning or not working properly can cause more than just higher emissions levels in your vehicle. It can cost you money: It can have you going back for tune-up after tune-up. It can seriously damage your car's catalytic converter. And it can cost you the equivalent of 6 extra fill-ups a year, 70 gallons of gas or more, in reduced mileage alone.
How an Oxygen Sensor Works in Your Engine.
An Sensor is used by your car's on-board computer to measure and report the amount of oxygen passing through the exhaust system when the car is running. It continually monitors the exhaust, looking for a precise mixture of 14.7 parts of air to 1 part of fuel. This is the ideal air/fuel mixture ratio for today's gasoline engine. Whenever the Sensor detects an air/fuel mixture higher or lower than 14.7 to 1, it immediately tells the computer to either add or reduce the amount of fuel being sent to the engine until the correct mixture is achieved. This "sense-signal-correct" process can happen many times a second on the average car.
What Happens When Your Oxygen Sensor Needs to be Replaced?
The heart of today's Sensor is a special ceramic element that actually extends into your exhaust pipe. Its unique composition and construction allow it to simultaneously sample the oxygen in your exhaust and the oxygen in the air outside, and continually compare them. Sensors operate in your exhaust system at temperatures above . The sensor can be damaged or ruined: If your engine runs rich (too much fuel) for a long period of time, or if you use leaded gasoline even briefly, or if any of a number of engine malfunctions cause a build-up of carbon on the ceramic element. The part of the sensor outside the exhaust pipe is sensitive, too. If undercoating, antifreeze, engine oil or some silicone gasket sealers come into contact with it, they damage the sensor's ability to report to the computer, leaving the sensor useless.
Why Your Service Professional May Suggest a New Niehoff brand Oxygen Sensor.
If testing by your service professional indicates that you need a new Sensor, chances are, he'll recommend you replace it with a new Niehoff brand Sensor. This is because in testing of numerous Sensors used by car manufacturers today, results have shown that many Sensors don't use the proper ceramic element for best results in your engine. Niehoff has used this data to create precise ceramic elements for best performance and maximum life in your make or model of car or light truck. The result is an Sensor that meets or exceeds the quality and performance specifications set by your car's manufacturer. There simply is not a better Sensor available today for your car at any price, or one in which your service professional has greater confidence.
Why Niehoff brand?
For over 70 years, the Niehoff brand name has meant top quality and value to America's drivers, do-it-yourselfers and professional automotive technicians. There's simply no better way to guarantee that every part that's installed in your car or truck has been designed, manufactured, tested and warranted to meet or exceed every standard set by today's car manufacturers for performance and long life than to look for the Niehoff brand name. And there are no better parts you can buy to keep your car or truck running at its best longer. Always ask for genuine Niehoff brand parts.