Lambda sensors may seem like relatively new technology but leading supplier Bosch first pioneered the components in the mid seventies. The exhaust gas sensor has just turned 40 and Bosch, which has now produced over a billion lambda sensors in four decades, continues to be at the forefront of development.

Lambda sensors are smart controllers inside the exhaust gas system, measuring the composition of the engine exhaust gases. This technology first allowed exact dosing of the amount of fuel injected and thus highly efficient and clean engine operation. Without them in petrol engines the fuel-saving overrun cut-off wouldn't be possible and similarly there would be no exhaust gas treatment in diesel engines.

It was in 1976, that lambda sensors were first fitted to the Volvo 240/260-series and over the years they have gone on to be an integral part of modern cars as well as being a highly effective method of emission control. These components are now more important than ever and Bosch is at the forefront of OE production.  It took 32 years, from 1976 to 2008, to reach the production record of 500 million pieces, but only eight years, from 2008 to 2016, to double the production figures to 1 billion sensors, showing the growing importance of the components.

As leading the OE supplier, Bosch also provides a spare parts range for automotive workshops including OE matching lambda sensors for almost any vehicle equipped with a petrol or diesel engine. This makes Bosch the worldwide leader of the automotive aftermarket in lambda sensors, with a market coverage of 85% in Europe alone.

It is important that in the case of a defective lambda sensor, it should be replaced as soon as possible. Without correctly measured values provided by the sensor, fuel combustion loses its effectiveness and the fuel consumption increases. An On-Board-Diagnosis test at the workshop can provide reliable information on whether a lambda sensor needs to be replaced or not. For example with the KTS-series testers and latest emission testers, Bosch provides state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment allowing a quick and reliable evaluation of a lambda sensor's condition.

When it comes to replacement workshops can generally select the right lambda sensor in OE quality from within the Bosch range. This includes more than 1200 part numbers solely for lambda sensors.