Back in September, I wrote about my search for a 1990s Japanese luxury car as a daily driver, with the Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS400, and Acura RL as the main contenders. Five months later, I’ve made my choice. (Read More…)
TTAC Commentator xyzzy writes:
One of the O2 sensors on my 1998 Lexus LS400 recently failed, throwing a P0161 OBDII code (at 175K miles). I’ve cleared the code and verified it comes back, so I don’t think it’s a transient failure. I haven’t yet replaced it, but I have noticed that my gas mileage, as reported on the trip computer, has improved significantly since the failure. Before it was 23-24 mpg, now I’m looking at 26. I know that one of the functions of the O2 sensor is to help regulate mixture, so I’m guessing the mixture is now leaner without one of the O2 sensors. I’ve noticed no discernable change in performance of the car. Assuming I can clear the error code before taking it in for OBDII emissions inspection, is there a downside to just leaving it and running aggressively lean (if that’s in fact what’s happening)?
Recent Comments
rolosrevenge - Henrik wants his company back, hmm, he did so well with it last time…
Shamwow - huh? I say bravo!
CJinSD - The Breeze I rented was a 1996 with the 2.0 SOHC engine and an automatic. The 2.4 DOHC engine would have been a useful upgrade. I...
NoGoYo - I’m more of a first gen Intrepid kind of guy. My friend’s mom had a sweet ’93 and I was amazed by how good it...
30-mile fetch - Reading your comment, it just hit me how few Cirrus and Stratus I see on the road now. They used to be everywhere. You...
LeeK - Fed up with the truck-like 92 SHO I was driving, I ordered a 98 SVT Contour from my dealer on just a handshake based on the...
Derek Kreindler - If you are ever in town, let me know. I don’t get up to Ottawa much but I’ll be in Perth at the end of July to visit my old summer...
LeeK - I replaced a 92 SHO with a brand new 98 SVT Contour, which I ordered sight unseen from my dealer. I was not happy with the SHO —...
JSF22 - When I lived near Detroit in the ’90s, my next-door neighbor worked for Ford’s ad agency, J. Walter Thompson, and my...
Derek Kreindler - As much as it pains me to expose my Miata to road salt, there is nothing more fun than using the throttle to steer the car just after a fresh snowfall…