Geely Emgrand EC7 fault code shows P0133

Q: A Geely Emgrand EC7 fault light is on, and the fault code shows P0133; oxygen sensor circuit slow response (first row sensor 1). Do I need to replace the sensor? If not, will it increase fuel consumption?
A: This is a general fault code, reflecting the slow response of the heated oxygen sensor. The heated oxygen sensor monitor tracks the voltage change rate during the rise and fall of the oxygen sensor signal. When the voltage change rate is lower than the calibration value, the electronic control unit (ECU) will begin to modify the air-fuel ratio to try to increase the voltage change rate of the oxygen sensor. If the ECU has reached the acceptable fuel trim limit or has exceeded the acceptable fuel trim time, and still does not monitor the acceptable voltage change rate, this fault code will appear. The causes of the fault include oxygen sensor contamination due to silicon in the fuel, open circuit of oxygen sensor signal circuit, oxygen sensor itself failure, etc. At the same time, exhaust pipe leakage, etc. can also cause this type of fault. So the sensor does not necessarily need to be replaced, but if the fault is not eliminated, it will affect the vehicle’s fuel consumption.