GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

so dad's prius was in the shop for a week from hitting a deer, so he drove my vibe GT to work and back. when he put gas in it, he put mid-grade just to save a few cents... i get the car back and drive the rest of the tank not knowing he did this. the check engine light comes on and i stop in and have it checked, says the O2 sensors are bad. the last time this happened 6 months ago, was when he put mid-grade in it. could this really be ruining the sensors from burning different gas?sorry, but i really wanna prove him wrong and make him stop being cheap with my car.

Different quality gas or higher octane, probably not... but cheap crappy gas I can see making things worse!

well it's just weird how both happened right after getting mid-grade...

Lower octane could cause a knock that a worn out O2 sensor would have trouble dealing with...Give him $1.50 and tell him to stop being cheap and fill it with premium like it should be!

I was not aware that the GT's require premium fuel.Running higher octane in a modern car not designed for it will allow unburned hydrocarbon into the exhaust system and the catalytic converter will have to work harder to "clean" the exhaust. It can cause damage to both the O2 sensors and the cat itself... though it usually takes some time.Running lower octane has a similar affect, only in increased EGT's which can overheat the O2's shortening their life as well.So I would say, yes, its quite possible.

I don't know about you guys in NC, but 10% ethanol gas is MURDER on O2 sensors, and that's about all we have in the south. Since it's mixed with regular gas by volume, it's entirely possible that you get as much as 20%-30% ethanol in a tank, depending how much is left in the gas stations holding tank, and how long it's been sitting, since ethanol and gasoline separate out over time.Since an O2 sensor can cost $40 plus the labor to put in, it's worth it to find a gas station that sells pure gas, or go with 89+ octane, since it doesn't have ethanol in it.

the GT does require premium gas. and i don't know about ethanol content.

$40 for an O2 sesnor on an OBD II car?? PLEASE, tell me where YOU shop!!? I paid that much for the one I bought for my wife's Saturn a few yrs ago (actually a little less,) but that was a single sensor (no aft cat O2 on that car) and an OBD I car.

I've got the 2AZ-FE in mine, and there's tons of aftermarket OE replacement parts for the 2.4L out there because of all the Toyotas it's been in.I had to put an O2 sensor in my ex's Celica, and I think I only gave $40 for it a few years ago.

There are many things that can cause an O2 sensor to give up prematurely.Leaded fuel Engine coolant in the combustion chamber (silicates)Silicone spray used anywhere around or on the intake manifold systemSilicone based RTV engine sealants used almost anywhere on the engineEngine burning oilRunning richExcessive use of fuel system cleanersE10 fuel is argued to damage them as wellOctane rating on a tank or two of fuel? I Doubt it. I'd look for other causes myself.As far as your frustration with you Dad putting in fuel you'd rather not burn in the car..... "Dad, yes you may borrow my car but you MUST put in high octane fuel. If you cannot do this simple act that I request then I must change my answer to No, you may NOT borrow my car for you do not care for it as I desire to be done. Sorry, hope your Prius is fixed soon."Yes, he is your Dad and needs to be respected but it is also YOUR car that he is using. I'm sure growing up he made requests of you based on his wants and desires, you've come full circle now.Dave

..."Yes," GM is having problems with low-grade gasoline:http://www.sandyblogs.com/tech....html

Quote, originally posted by Old Tele man »..."Yes," GM is having problems with low-grade gasoline:http://www.sandyblogs.com/tech....htmlThanks for posting that link. I found it interesting and it served to convince me to continue purchasing Top Tier brand name quality gasoline and to continue to shun the "cheapie" no brand stations.If you read the article, it has to do with clogged injectors and sticking valves, not CO2 sensors failure.Also the OP mentions that Dad put in a mid GRADE gas, not that he put in a Johnny Cheapo Brand. For all we know Dad put in Top Tier Shell but at a lower octane rating. This post is about lower octane causing CO2 sensor failure. To get into a discussion of fuels, additives, grades, etc, is a huge topic which I think few of us fully comprehend. Gasoline is a very complex topic today.I'm still wary of saying lower octane use = failed CO2 sensors.Dave

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Thanks for posting that link. I found it interesting and it served to convince me to continue purchasing Top Tier brand name quality gasoline and to continue to shun the "cheapie" no brand stations.If you read the article, it has to do with clogged injectors and sticking valves, not O2 sensors failure.Also the OP mentions that Dad put in a mid GRADE gas, not that he put in a Johnny Cheapo Brand. For all we know Dad put in Top Tier Shell but at a lower octane rating. This post is about lower octane causing O2 sensor failure. To get into a discussion of fuels, additives, grades, etc, is a huge topic which I think few of us fully comprehend. Gasoline is a very complex topic today.I'm still wary of saying lower octane use = failed O2 sensors.Dave'Think you meant O2 sensors there, Dave. I fix for you....

...agreed, but *when* the injectors squirt erratically, that affects what's dumped into the exhaust and thus "seen" by the 02 sensors....really need to know *how* the 02 sensors failed: were they "burned" from too lean, or "coated" by too rich, or what?

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »'Think you meant O2 sensors there, Dave. I fix for you.... Ya caught me!!! Or..... I was testing you and you win the prize!!!What?!?! We don't need a carbon dioxide sensor on these cars!!?!?A gallon of gasoline is estimated to produce darn near 19 pounds of CO2!Dave

as far as i know, he got gas at a BP knock-off or something in Raleigh. i cleared the code, and ran some seafoam with Sheetz premium gas.

Interesting. 2nd generation GT's run on regular.

Quote, originally posted by bassplayaz06 »as far as i know, he got gas at a BP knock-off or something in Raleigh. i cleared the code, and ran some seafoam with Sheetz premium gas.None of these stations you mention participate in the top tier program and as such are suspect for delivering consistent quality fuel.http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.htmlSheetz has a history of bad fuel.Any "knock off" station should be avoided anyway.If you like your car, spend the extra $$'s and feed it quality fuel.Dave

Dang. No Citgo on that list. Funny how their current advertising messaging is "Good Gas." Ah-*HA!* But are you Top-Tier Gas?! A new Shell station will be opening up on my way home from work next month. Might be switching...