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Cars have certainly changed over the years. Air bags are standard, active head restraints are catching on, crossover vehicles have supplanted minivans as the favorite family hauler, and mostly every car built today offers an in-dash computer system for song downloads, navigation, and hands-free communication.
Car Sensors
Another change involves sensors which can help detect problems with your car as they occur. They're located throughout your vehicle and are tasked with checking wheel speed, manifold pressure, incoming air temperature, fuel-air mixture, and more. When a sensor fails, that can have a direct impact on engine performance, causing your car to lose power while adversely effecting fuel economy. In some cases sensor failure can lead to engine failure, which means that you should be aware of how sensors work and what they do.
Beginning with 1996 and later cars, all vehicles come equipped with an OBDII (On-board Diagnostic) system which generates codes when a problem arises with your car thanks to these sensors. A code reader retails for about $ 80 and can be a worthwhile investment to help you determine what is wrong with your car.
Sensors Used
That being said, what do the sensors do and where are they located? Beyond the four previously mentioned, your car may come equipped with more than one hundred sensors. For example, some Mercedes models have multiple sensors for one just one system including the following found in one late model convertible:
- Electronic controlled transmission – helps monitor vehicle speed, gear position and throttle opening.
- Distronic – A fancy word for Mercedes' cruise control system.
- Roof control unit – applies to convertibles.
- Antilock brake system – also known as ABS.
- Central locking system – controls door locks.
- Dynamic beam leveling – helps to keep your headlights focused.
- Common rail diesel injection – for cars so equipped.
- Automatic air conditioning – for climate control.
- Active body control – helps keep your car on the road.
- Tire pressure monitoring – ensures that you have enough air in your tires.
- Elecktron stability program – works in tandem with other stability functions.
- Parktronic system – helps measure the distance between objects as you back up your car.
Professional Assistance
Clearly, an understanding of automotive mechanics is essential if you are to attempt to diagnose, find and replace a worn out sensor. Most car owners leave the work to a professional mechanic although having access to a code reader can help you discover what the problem is and brace yourself as you take your vehicle in for repairs.
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Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Making-Sense-of-Car-Sensors&id=3247973
