The environment is everyone's concern. People should not disregard environmental problems especially regarding air pollution. One primary source of air pollution are automotive exhaust emissions. Fifty percent of Americans live in areas that exceed national clean air standards. Reducing tailpipe emissions, therefore, is a top priority in the effort to fight air pollution. That is why automakers are coming up with new ways to reduce harmful emissions.

One of these is the Mercedes Benz oxygen sensor, which have been tested to be very helpful. Its main purpose is to report live information about the engine's air-fuel mixture to the powertrain control module. This information is used primarily to help calculate fuel delivery to the engine, which changes continuously while it is running. If the engine is running lean, the powertrain control module will sense this from the oxygen sensor's signal and increase the air/fuel mixture to the engine.

The Mercedes Benz oxygen sensor is located in the exhaust system at one or more points. It converts the status of the engine's air-fuel mixture into a corresponding voltage signal. The most common type of sensor uses a zirconia element to generate voltage. Titania oxygen sensors, on the other hand, use the technology of electrical resistance to produce similar voltage characteristics as zirconia sensors. Some Mercedes oxygen sensors also have built-in heaters, to warm them to operating temperature more quickly. In 1996, Onboard Diagnostics II (OBDII) became standard technology for all makes and models. OBD II systems use one oxygen sensor on the inlet to the catalytic converter and another one on the outlet. For cars with dual converters, there may be as many as four oxygen sensors. On vehicles equipped with OBDII, the sensors are also used to help determine the efficiency of the catalytic converter. The powertrain control module does this by comparing the signal of the sensor located at the inlet of the catalytic converter with the signal of the sensor located at the outlet of the converter.

Just like any other car part, an oxygen sensor will eventually need to be replaced. Failing an emissions test is a sure sign of it malfunctioning. Other symptoms of a faulty Mercedes oxygen sensor includes poor gas mileage, rotten smell from the exhaust and poor acceleration. But some cars have an oxygen sensor light that appears when it needs replacement. There are times that a faulty oxygen sensor can cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light to appear. When this happens, it's best to have it checked out immediately by a professional technician. Ignoring these warning signs can cause more expensive damage to the car.

Gasoline engines run best when the air-fuel mixture is correct. The air-fuel mixture must be controlled to reduce exhaust pollutant emissions. This is what Mercedes Benz oxygen sensor generally do. Not only will it have better emission, the engines will also run better. Passing the emission test will be a breeze once equipped with this device. The environment will generate some benefits as well. A car with foul emission is not a pretty sight, so to maintain that Mercedes on top shape, it is better to check the oxygen sensor once in a while.