When servicing an oxygen sensor, special care is essential as it has a permanently attached pigtail and electrical connector that cannot be removed; any damage to these components will ruin the sensor. It is important to keep grease, dirt, and other contaminants away from both the electrical connector and the sensor, and cleaning solvents should never be used on the sensor. Additionally, avoid dropping or roughly handling the sensor. Due to its installation in the exhaust manifold or
Catalytic Converter, which contract when cool, an oxygen sensor may be difficult to loosen when the engine is cold; therefore, starting and running the engine briefly can help. The sensors are located at the inlet and outlet of each primary catalytic converter, with a total of four sensors across all models. For replacing the Bank 1 sensor, raise the front of the vehicle securely on jackstands, disconnect the electrical connector, and carefully unscrew the sensor using an oxygen sensor socket or a large wrench. For the downstream sensor, raise the vehicle, remove any exhaust shields blocking access, disconnect the electrical connector, and unscrew the sensor similarly. Installation of both upstream and downstream sensors is the reverse of removal, ensuring to coat the threads with anti-seize compound and tighten to the specified torque, noting that new sensors may already have this coating.