At 99,000 the check engine light came on in my 2000 maxima and autozone told me it's my rear o2 sensor by the catalytic converter (I think the code was P0430 Bank 2). As far as I know the only bad thing about a faulty o2 sensor is that the car will consume more gas. Am I right or are there more consequences? I'm asking cause I don't really have time to fix it now and would probably wait until late summer to replace it.

 

It shouldn't take that long to replace one if it's bad. You will save money by not using as much gas.

 

I think your MPG will NOT decrease if any of B1 sensors are out. B2 sensors are the ones that control air/fuel ratio. Iam curious, can you pl update this thread if you do see a decrease in MPG. FYI, I have a P0420 on and no decrease in MPG....

 

Fix it now before it gets to be a bigger problem. My oxygen sensor went bad and i waited. I just kept erasing the engine code when my light came on. 2 months later, the engine code came up for my catalytic converter. The bad oxygen sensor allowed too much unburned fuel thru the system and the cat converter eventually failed. Spending $200 to fix the oxygen sensor is cheaper than spending $500 for a new oxygen sensor and catalytic converter.

 

I had a P0420 Sensor error on my 2001 and I went to checkers they said it was a sensor but i went to the dealership and all that needed to be done is that it happens a lot the computer needs to be reprogramed

 

Bloody good advice.

 

thanks for your advice, i think i'll go with the fix it suggestion because of my bad luck with this car. should i fix it at the dealer's or just go to any mechanic? not sure if the ECU upgrade is necessary for this sensor.