Mitsubishi Pickup Oxygen Sensor: Go Green While Enhancing Engine Performance

Pickups have remained dominant in the North American automotive market. Known for its cargo and towing capacity, a pickup is usually equipped with a large engine which can consume a lot of gas. To address this, Japanese car maker Mitsubishi integrates a Mitsubishi pickup oxygen sensor in each of its vehicles. This emission device boosts engine performance and helps create cleaner emissions.

The Mitsubishi pickup oxygen sensor enables a vehicle to be more fuel efficient as it ensures that the right fuel mixture enters the engine. It monitors the air to fuel mixture if it is too rich or too lean. A rich mixture has less air, while a lean mixture contains large amount of oxygen. Once the Mitsubishi pickup oxygen sensor determines the type of mixture, it sends a signal to the engine management computer in the form of a voltage. The computer then adjusts the mixture until it reaches the ideal ratio of 14:7:1. Both rich and lean mixture is not good. A rich mixture can leave unburned fuels, thus creating pollution. A lean mixture, on the other hand, can make the engine perform poorly as well as cause some damage.

Located in the exhaust manifold downpipe before the catalytic converter or between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors are available in two types. These are the zirconia sensor and the titania sensor. The zirconia sensor, the most common type, uses a zirconia element to produce a voltage. On the other hand, the titania sensor utilizes the technology of electrical resistance to generate a voltage.

Just like any car part, the best way to extend the life of the Mitsubishi pickup oxygen sensor is proper maintenance. If the sensor fails, it can get an incorrect reading and possibly send the wrong signal to the engine management computer. The computer will then make wrong adjustments that can lead to engine damage, polluted emissions, and poor performance. One reason for oxygen sensor failure is the build-up of contaminants and oil ash on the sensing element. Some vehicles can easily detect a failing sensor once the check engine label lights up. Watching out for signs like poor gas mileage, failed emission test, foul emission smell, and poor acceleration can also help. Once a failure is detected, an immediate replacement should be done.

By: Anthony Fontanelle

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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.