Will Faulty Oxygen Sensors Affect Your Transmission?
Oxygen Sensors 101
Your vehicle comprises many complex parts and systems, including the transmission. All of these systems must work optimally to enable your car to perform at its best. If your vehicle has a problem with its transmission, you may notice slipping gears, leaking fluids, or unresponsiveness.
Here at West Automotive Group in San Diego County, California, one of the most common questions we hear at our shop is if bad oxygen sensors can cause transmission issues. The short answer is yes. Your car’s oxygen sensors are essential to your engine and transmission. They monitor how lean or rich the fuel mixture in your engine is. According to the information they receive, the oxygen sensors will adjust the mixture accordingly by increasing or decreasing the amount of air or fuel entering the engine. This helps to decrease emissions, improve fuel economy, and keep your vehicle running optimally.
If your oxygen sensors aren’t working, your engine can start running inefficiently. Additionally, losing oxygen can wreak havoc on your transmission, impacting your ability to shift.
Does Your Car Have Faulty Oxygen Sensors?
If your vehicle’s oxygen sensors are starting to fail or already have, you will notice some telltale warning signs, including:
- Your check engine light pops up on your dashboard
- Significant decrease in fuel efficiency
- A smell resembling rotten eggs coming from your exhaust
- Excess black smoke coming from your exhaust
- High emission levels
- Shifting issues
- Your engine skips, bucks, or hesitates
If you notice any of these red flags, call the transmission repair technicians at West Automotive Group in San Diego County, California, or visit us at one of our 5 locations. If you ignore the problem, it could put your car’s catalytic converter at serious risk, leading to more expensive and even dangerous problems down the line.
We’ll Keep Your Transmission in Top-Notch Shape
For over 15 years, the auto repair mechanics at West Automotive Group in San Diego County, California, have taken great care of our customers’ transmissions. If you think your car has a bad oxygen sensor, call one of our 5 AAA-Approved automotive repair shops today. We will closely inspect your vehicle and make any necessary repairs or replacements as quickly as possible. While most oxygen sensors can last for three to five years or 30,000 to 50,000 miles, yours might need to be replaced sooner. We can help! We will repair your car quickly and get you back on the road.
Contact West Automotive Group in San Diego County, California, for all your auto repairs and maintenance needs. We look forward to helping you will all your car care needs.