Took my car in for a diagnostic and they said both front O2 sensors were not working properly. I just replaced them about 1 1/2 months ago. He then asked if I used sensors for a California emmisions car. I said no mine is federal I thought. He said his scanner shows it as being a california car. How can I tell? I wrote down the info on the tag below the vin as follows

BLHULEAA32EUA-B-FA I was under the impression that the U meant federal. Am I wrong? Is there another way to tell?

 

o2 sensors are not cali or fed-spec specific.

 

Are the direct fit or spliced universal?

 

Direct fit, there is no O2 sensor code showing but he said the numbers are showing a real slow response. It is wierd he showed me on his scanner tool that it says cali emissions. So I am confused

 

Doesn't matter if you have Cali Emissions or not. If you are indeed a Cali Spec, you have 2 more o2's monitoring the pre cats. If no errors are showing for rear o2's don't worry about them. The front o2's are the same for Fed or Cali.

Are you showing any pending or stored codes? If not, your good to go.
Sounds like he was trying to sell you something you didn't need... Might want to find another mechanic.

Why did you bring it in for diagnostics in the first place?

 

Brought it in because my gas mileage is real bad. Getting around 250 miles to a tank of gas if I am lucky. Plus check engine light back on. Only codes are rear O2, Small evap leak, and Knock Sensor. Think I will get a second opinion. I changed the plugs about a week ago, the old ones looked good when I pulled them Think I will get another mechanic as suggested. There is no miss or anything noticable seems to run good.

 

The rear o2 might be setting off the knock sensor code. You may want to get that replaced. If the knock sensor is indeed bad, that's way your getting poor gas mileage.
The rear o2 isn't effecting your mpg.

 

^^QFT.