Honda Oxygen Sensors

If you're experiencing sluggish performance or poor gas mileage from your Honda, it might be time to replace your oxygen sensors. A lot mechanics don't even bother to check your Honda's oxygen sensor during 3,000-mile oil changes, so it's possible to go months and months with a progressively worsening problem. You might try fuel additives such as octane boosters or "Gum-Out," only to find a negligible spike in results.

The problem is, after years and years of work, your oxygen sensors can fall prey to contamination. Combustion can cause the build-up of deposits all throughout your engine, and if this grime isn't cleaned, it can destroy many of your car's components. The oxygen sensor, which typically uses a ceramic and zirconium sensing element (easily covered by dirt and debris), is no exception.

Making the Most of Your Honda Oxygen Sensors

As ash from oil and other engine deposits interfere with your Honda's sensing element, it is less able to respond to changes in the air-fuel mixture. Then, once it does, the electrical charge it emits is often weaker than it ought to be, skewing your onboard computer's readings. This can cause your engine to mistakenly take in more or less air than it requires to maintain the 14.7:1 ratio that delivers the most efficient driving experience.

The easiest thing to do is have your Honda's sensors checked at least once every 20,000 miles. Even if you don't need a new oxygen sensor, you may benefit from a cleaning that restores its sensitivity. You'll feel the difference as you idle and accelerate. Moreover, you have much better odds of passing your next emissions test.