If your check engine light comes on, there are a number of different car repairs that your vehicle might need. One of these repairs could be an oxygen sensor replacement. The oxygen sensor is an electronic sensor that is used to detect how much oxygen is in your gas. The oxygen sensor is important to the emissions system, helping to ensure that your car's emissions stay low. Your check engine light may be one of the signs that your car's oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. Read on to learn a few of the other signs that indicate a car repair to replace an oxygen sensor is needed. 

Your Car is Getting Fewer Miles Per Gallon of Gas

If your car is in need of oxygen sensor replacement, you may start to notice that you are getting fewer miles per gallon of gas. While there are many issues that may reduce your fuel efficiency, oxygen sensor problems create a noticeable decrease in your fuel efficiency. If you see a sudden and noticeable reduction in the number of miles you get per gallon of gas, you should immediately suspect there is a problem with the car's oxygen sensor. 

Your Car is Idling Roughly or Even Stalling

If your car is idling roughly or even stalling at stop signs or stoplights, you may find yourself wondering what is causing the problem. It is important to note that there are a few different issues that can cause this problem. One of those issues includes your car's oxygen sensor needing to be replaced. If you notice this sign in conjunction with any of the other signs, it is safe to assume that the oxygen sensor is the problem. 

Black Smoke is Coming From Your Exhaust

The final sign that your car's oxygen sensor needs to be replaced is black smoke coming from the exhaust. This issue is most noticeable when you first start your car up after it has been sitting overnight. In some cases, you may also be able to smell sulfur or egg-like scents when the smoke is coming out. This is a tell-tale sign that you are experiencing a bad oxygen sensor in your car. 

If your car's oxygen sensor is bad, you will want a car repair to replace the sensor. If your vehicle is due for a smog check or an emissions test, you should replace the bad oxygen sensor prior to having the test completed, as your car will likely fail if the oxygen sensor is bad. Reach out to an auto repair center to schedule an appointment to have your oxygen sensor replaced.