Car sensors are devices that monitor various aspects of the vehicle, such as engine, speed, oxygen level, engine, air flow, temperature or coolant system, and oil pressure. They gather and send data to the electronic control unit (ECU) in charge of all engine functions or to you, the driver, so that you can take appropriate actions. Besides making driving a car a much simpler task, they can also inform you of damages, enabling you to fix them promptly.
Car sensors may appear intricate at first glance. However, they help ensure your vehicle’s vital systems are functioning properly. That said, it should be in your best interest to learn about them and their importance on a deeper level. This article can help you in that regard. So, continue reading this article for the fine details.
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Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor
An EGT sensor evaluates your car’s exhaust temperature and relays this information to the vehicle’s ECU so it can take appropriate actions.
Cars have different EGT sensors. Here are some examples:
- Diesel Cars: The EGT in diesel cars is in charge of assessing the diesel particulate filter (DCF) to create a temperature ideal for regeneration, lowering harmful emissions.
- Petrol Cars: The EGT in petrol cars safeguards the engine’s vital elements from excessive temperatures by lowering the turbocharger’s boost pressure or increasing the amount of fuel in the case of catalytic converters.
There are two types of EGT sensors. The first one is the negative temperature coefficient (NTC), whose resistance increases as the temperature decreases and vice versa. The second and most common type is the positive temperature coefficient (PTC), whose resistance is proportional to the temperature movements.
The EGT sensor may malfunction due to factors like exposure to extreme heat or loose internal connections resulting from severe vibrations. When such things happen, the sensor will display warning signs, such as the check engine light being on, high fuel consumption, or other components failing prematurely.
If you suspect something’s wrong with your EGT sensor, one of the best things you can do is acquire and install new EGT sensor parts. It’d be best to purchase these products from a reliable supplier to avoid exacerbating the issue, leading to more extensive damages.
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Oxygen Sensor
Usually located close to the exhaust manifold, the oxygen or O2 sensor is tasked with measuring the exhaust’s oxygen level and comparing it to that of the air around the car. The gathered information is then used to determine the engine’s fuel-to-car ratio. It must always be balanced, meaning there shouldn’t be too little or too much fuel; otherwise, this can render the vehicle inefficient and even generate excess pollution.
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Knock Sensor
A knock sensor, also known as detonation sensor, is a listening device located outside the engine block or below the intake manifold. Its main job is to identify irregular sounds and vibrations, turn them into electronic signals, and transmit them to the ECU, which then decides on the right ignition timing adjustments to be done. This whole process can increase torque or bring down fuel consumption.
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Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor
MAF sensor, or air meter, is among the vital elements in your car’s electronic fuel injection system. It’s situated in the intake pipe located between the intake manifold and air filter housing, and assesses the amount of air that’s getting into the engine. This information is crucial in calculating the precise amount of fuel to ensure an ideal air-fuel ratio. Otherwise, the car’s ECU won’t be able to control fuel injection accurately, which can damage the engine.
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Engine Speed Sensor
One of the crucial sensors in your car is the engine speed sensor attached to the crankshaft. It is important because it assesses the crankshaft’s rotational speed, which is essential in controlling fuel injection and engine timing. A malfunction of this sensor can directly affect the vehicle’s cruise control or speedometer.
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Coolant Temperature Sensor
This is another vital sensor because it helps inspect the temperature in your car’s engine coolant. It utilizes this piece of information to manage systems tasked with achieving the ideal engine temperature.
Your engine can overheat once the coolant temperature sensor breaks down, causing long-term damage.
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Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
This sensor’s main job is to monitor the engine load. It does this by measuring the difference between the manifold and outside pressure. It helps ensure that the engine relieves fuel in accordance with pressure changes. Once this sensor fails, it can lead to high fuel consumption.
Conclusion
Car sensors are essential because they allow your car to function optimally. When you have, at the very least, the most basic knowledge about them, you’ll have an idea of what parts to fix when your vehicle malfunctions. Also, it promotes safer driving as all component systems work as efficiently as they should, helping you avoid accidents