Follow Us on: 
280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
Follow Us on:
280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
Having vehicle issues can be concerning and leave you wondering how you should deal with them, especially in a vehicle as reliable as a Mini. However, rest assured that having these issues is completely normal, and more often than not, a quick trip to the shop is all you’ll need to solve the problem.
With that in mind, there are some issues that should be dealt with right away when detected, such as problems with the oxygen sensor of your vehicle. While this may be difficult to spot, it is certainly not impossible to see the signs that something has gone wrong with this component.
Should you notice issues arise with your Mini’s oxygen sensor, do not hesitate to take your vehicle in right away, otherwise, lasting problems may occur.
Your oxygen sensor is actually an incredibly important part of ensuring the overall functionality of your vehicle. To understand how and why problems may develop with it, you first need to understand what exactly it does.
Your vehicle’s engine is a very intricate piece of machinery that is supposed to operate at a certain level. Deviations from that level can cause issues to develop under the hood that may be major headaches to deal with.
With this in mind, every time you press down on the gas pedal, a certain amount of air is let into the combustion chamber of your engine. In response, an engine control unit detects this amount and allows a specific amount of fuel to be mixed with that air via the fuel injectors. When this occurs, your vehicle’s spark plugs ignite the mixture.
This ignition results in miniature explosions that force the pistons to shoot downwards in their cylinders and produce the power that allows you to drive. As the byproducts from these explosions exit your vehicle via the exhaust system, an oxygen sensor is constantly detecting the oxygen levels.
Should those levels not be satisfactory, your vehicle’s computer may adjust the amount of fuel or air being let into the engine while you drive. This helps to ensure optimal fuel efficiency and a smooth drive as a whole. A faulty oxygen sensor can result in a number of unforeseen issues, so taking your vehicle in the minute a problem occurs is always the best bet.
Fortunately, since this piece of equipment is so vital to your Mini’s performance, there are a number of signs you can keep an eye out for that may indicate when something has gone wrong with the sensor. Here are a few of those common signs:
Your vehicle’s system has a computer that constantly regulates the different components under the hood. It is quite intuitive and when it detects that something has gone wrong it will activate the check engine light. You may not be able to access the oxygen sensor, but you can certainly trust your computer to turn on the light when something goes wrong.
The amount of oxygen in the air/fuel mixture is partially responsible for affecting your engine’s performance. If your vehicle is having problems with that mixture, it will be reflected in your vehicle’s gas mileage. Watch out for any signs that the gas mileage has gotten worse in your vehicle and act accordingly if you notice this.
If your engine’s performance has been shot by a faulty oxygen sensor, the engine may be sounding rough as the air to fuel mixture is not what it should be. There’s a handful of reasons your engine may be sounding rough, but problems with the air/fuel mixture, brought on by a faulty oxygen sensor is certainly a reason.
Here at St. Matthews Import, we understand the importance of the oxygen sensor in your Mini. It will be our priority to get you back out onto the road as quickly and as safely as possible. We have multiple locations around Louisville, KY, but Hubbards Lane is our location for automotive service and repair. Please give us a call or come in to visit us today to see why we are the best in the business. We look forward to earning your trust and patronage.