I had a CEL earlier this week, so I set up an appt to get it checked out this Friday. However, it spontaneously resolved when I turned on the car yesterday. The car runs and responds smoother than earlier this week, and my mpg has taken a drop. Should I get it checked out anyways? As a helpful member, curls, points out, the O2 sensor has a typical but not concise life of 50-60K miles; and I'm at 58K.

 

The O2 sensor CEL codes can come and go, as I found out a few weeks ago when mine was on for a few days, then off one day, then back on for a few more days until I replaced the sensor (after checking the code).

I don't recall if the code is auto-cleared if the CEL goes out. If its not, then they should be able to pull the code that had originally lit up the CEL lamp and go from there, although without an actual CEL they MIGHT charge you $30 to "diagnose" (pull the code). That's why I suggested getting someone with a ODB II code reader to pull it for you. Buy them a coffee and call it a day. It's literally a 3 minute job.

 

Thanks again curls. Unfortunately, my buddies and my co-workers don't have a ODBII code reader. I'm thinking of getting myself one, but unsure which one to get since there's so many ones out there.