Where to Replace Your Audi’s Oxygen Sensor in Birmingham

In most cars today, engines are designed with internal combustion engines that utilize oxygen sensors to regulate your vehicles total emissions. An oxygen sensor is important not only to your Audi, but also to the environment. Without a functional oxygen sensor, you risk having the wrong combination of fuel and air. This could lead to costly engine damage.

Common Causes for Problems with Your Audi’s Oxygen Sensor

While oxygen sensors typically don’t randomly have problems as long as they are cared for and maintained, it is possible for damage to occur. There are three main reasons that your Audi’s oxygen sensors may malfunction:

• Old age and use: As with all vehicles, components do not last forever. Through wear and tear or simply old age, parts become used and must be replaced. Audis are designed with anywhere from 3 to 4 oxygen sensors, each one responsible for regulating two cylinders. If even one of these oxygen sensors goes bad, it is important to have it repaired as soon as you can.
• Dirty or wrong fuel: Filling your gas tank with dirty fuel or with the wrong kind of fuel is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your oxygen sensors. Audi’s are high-quality vehicles with engines designed to run on high-quality fuel. Gas may be expensive, but car repairs are a lot more expensive. If you feed your Audi the right kind of fuel, the oxygen sensors and engine will last longer and operate better, saving you money in the long run.
• Debris or blockage covering the sensor: If there is debris covering the sensor so that it can’t do its job, then your car will burn more fuel than is necessary. While this is a simple fix of having your sensors cleaned, it should be done by a qualified mechanic to ensure that this is the only problem.

How to Know Something is Wrong with Your Audi’s Oxygen Sensor

Luckily, Audi’s are made with excellent electronics and technology that will help you know when something is wrong with your oxygen sensors. Listed below are a few ways to know that something is wrong with your O2 sensors:

• Check-engine light is on: The most noticeable sign that an oxygen sensor is malfunctioning is that your check-engine light comes on. A check-engine light may illuminate for many reasons. However, because it turns on doesn’t mean that there’s a problem with your oxygen sensor. Anytime your check-engine light turns on, something is wrong with your car, and you should have it serviced as soon as possible. An oxygen sensor is just one of many possible reasons for a check-engine light activation.
• Rough engine idle or misfire: Your oxygen sensors are responsible for regulating the air-to-fuel ratio inside your engine. If a sensor is faulty and this ratio is off, then there may be too much or too little fuel for your engine. This problem may manifest itself through a rough engine idle when it should be peacefully humming. Your engine may also misfire if the fuel-to-air ratio is off. If the check-engine light comes on and any of these two things is happening, then have your oxygen sensors checked immediately.
• Fuel economy is worse than normal: It may happen that the only sign that indicates a bad oxygen sensor is poorer than normal fuel economy. If you begin to notice that you have to fill your tank more often than usual, then you may have a bad oxygen sensor.
• Failed emissions inspection: Depending on what state you live in or drive through, you may be required to submit your Audi to an emissions inspection. This is done to ensure that you are not burning more fuel than you should be. If you fail this inspection, it could be due to a faulty oxygen sensor.

Franklin Automotive is Here to Help

For any and all of your Audi car needs, check out Franklin Automotive. With locations in Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Inverness, Cahaba Heights, Greystone, and Birmingham, AL, Franklin Automotive has the tools and know-how to solve all of your Audi’s problems.

We have state-of-the-art technology and diagnostic tools that will determine the reason for your engine problem. If it is because of an oxygen sensor, we will notify you of the problem and together, we will formulate a solution with you. Call us today to schedule a convenient appointment!