Back in the days of carburetors and chokes that was done just keep an engine
from stalling. After the original Audi unintended acceleration fiasco I
can't imagine any late model car being designed that way. Especially with an
automatic.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
James
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 11:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: O2 sensors brand quality difference?

Our '03 Toyota Matrix idles at 2000+ rpm in colder weather to get it's
catalytic converter to 'light up' - and the cat is located immediately after
the exhaust manifold!

In other news, I've learned the importance of avoiding exhaust leaks - what
I thought was a faulty idle stabilisation valve turned out to two small
exhaust leaks - one in an exhaust gasket and the other where the cap on the
CO sniffer port had fallen off.  Thanks to Frank Condelli for diagnosing
that!  Our '91 now goes into closed loop much faster, AND idles much more
reliably when cold.

James
Ottawa, ON

> Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 17:00:02 -0400
> From: d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: O2 sensors brand quality difference?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> The Vanagon operates the O2 sensor heater continuously. Since it is so far
away from the engine it is needed especially for idle and low speed
operation. It is used on many vehicles to get them into closed loop
operation as soon as possible. Many vehicles even have heated catalytic
converters and sometimes other tricks are used to get the cats "lighted". On
my 1992 600 SEL the transmission upshifts are delayed when cold to get the
revs up to help get the cats lighted.
>
> Dennis
>