Few people understand the purpose of this basic sensor
Measuring Air Entering Your Engine
The MAF is actually a Mass Air Flow sensor. It measures the mass of the air that is entering the engine so that the correct amount of fuel will be injected into the air stream. When it is working properly it helps achieve the best balance between air and fuel and this gives you the best gas mileage and a smooth running engine regardless of the air temperature outside. When it is not working properly, the engine can have too much fuel (rich) or too little (lean), both of which are bad for the engine.
Controlling Fuel Injection
The MAF itself uses a thin platinum wire that gets hot and it is the air current that changes the conductivity of the wire. That signal is used to control the fuel injection. As you might guess, the wire is fragile and can become dirty or broken which makes it ineffective. The repair is routine and not terribly expensive. Some fuel injected engines use different styles of sensors than the one described but their purpose is similar.
Perfect Balance
Achieving the perfect balance of fuel entering your engine is good for the car, the environment, and your pocketbook. These sensors tend to last a long time, so although you may need to repair one once, it is the rare customer who will need more than one repair in the life of the car. We hope that helps make the Mass Air Flow sensor a little more clear. If you would like a more detailed explanation that goes into stoichiometry and the science behind this device, there is plenty of information on the internet.
Drive Safely, The High Road Crew
