Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Free print outs of vehicle specific instructions and torque specifications are available from MitchellonDemand at your local PartSource. Make sure you have ALL the parts you may need BEFORE you start to work.

What does an O² Sensor do?

The oxygen sensor is one of the most important sensors on your vehicle. It monitors the amount of oxygen in the engine’s exhaust gas and is usually located on the exhaust manifold. Most oxygen sensors operate like a small battery. Differences in oxygen content between the sensors inner and outer surfaces cause it to generate a small voltage signal.

The sensor is electrically heated internally for faster switching when the engine is running. When there’s a lot of oxygen (lean) present, the sensor produces a low voltage signal; when there’s little oxygen (rich), it produces a signal of higher voltage. By monitoring the oxygen content and converting it to electrical voltage, the sensor acts as a lean-rich switch.