That's right, Hec, and don't futz around before you replace it, because O2 sensor failure can trigger (much more expensive) catalytic converter failure. We had to replace ours on the Astro a couple of years ago. It was one of the worst repair experiences of our life, involving being stranded in Albuquerque and subjected to verbal abuse, being told to sign a form saying the car had been repaired by Shop A, when in fact they'd given up on it and we had to have it towed to Shop B.

Yeah. Get it changed.

tommyrot, what do I need to know about the O2 sensor in my Honday Civic Hybrid? It regulates the mixture of oxygen with fuel in my imagine - is that it? We've got to get ours replaced.

Hec, I've dealt with this twice with my Toyota Echo, which, granted is not a hybrid. However, what I'm about to tell you is WAY less expensive and something you can do yourself.

First question, in 4 parts: how do you know the O2 sensor needs replaced? Was it because the check engine light came on and you took it to a mechanic? And what was the car doing that was problematic? Was the engine missing when you accelerated?

Yeah. Get it changed.

First question, in 4 parts: how do you know the O2 sensor needs replaced? Was it because the check engine light came on and you took it to a mechanic? And what was the car doing that was problematic? Was the engine missing when you accelerated?

It's at the shop right now. Took it in because of the check engine light. They ran the diagnostic and that's what they said the problem was. And the engine has been increasingly wonky, and sometimes unresponsive.

They ran the diagnostic and that's what they said the problem was.

They're not always right when they tell you it's the (very expensive) O2 sensor. In fact, you can replace the O2 sensor and the problem will still keep occurring.

Follow-up: a lot of times, when the mechanic says that the O2 sensor needs replaced, it's a dirty MAF (mass air flow) sensor. When that is dirty, the O2 sensor acts wonky.

If the check engine light has been coming on, take the car to AutoZone or one of the other big auto parts stores. Tell them the check engine light is coming on, and ask them to use their code reader to tell you what code the check engine light is throwing out. If it's "fuel too lean" or "fuel too rich," the problem is a dirty MAF sensor, which you should be able to pull out yourself and clean with rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip.

I am not talking out my ass here; I've done it twice in the 7+ years I've owned the car, and it has not resulted in horrific damage. It's fixed the problem both times, car still runs marvelously even though it's 11 years old.

You guys, if my eyes don't stop watering ima hurt someone. It's been days and days and I've tried every allergy med I can think of and they won't. Stop. My tear ducts are red and puffy and tender and I look like I've been crying. Does anyone have a magic remedy? I know it's allergies.

I'm incredibly non-confrontational and always just prefer to let other people do what they want.

Zuisa, I think this is the perfect time for you to start working on this. It's important for you to learn to draw boundaries without being confrontational, otherwise your future life and relationships will be so very much less fulfilling for you. My advice is to work out what you want to say in advance. Don't worry about being right or being understood, just think about the goal you want--a room where your need for quiet in the morning is respected. The problem isn't with YOU (or with her, actually) it's just two differing styles.

Something like this: "I know you're a morning person and I don't want to keep you up late, why don't we work out some ground rules that we can each get what we need." It should be doable--and it's GREAT practice for you to start mastering this negotiating skill.

Does anyone have a magic remedy?

Me, I've been writing anti-pollen revenge fiction. So yeah, right there with you. My magic remedy involves a boat and an ocean. Can't quite make that happen atm. Wah.

WTF is wrong with me? I went to bed last night with a semi-unhappy stomach, but what did I eat this morning? Leftover pizza. My stomach is not at all happy. On the upside, I guess it's not the bad "stomach thing" that's been going around my office?

Pix - perhaps not helpful but i found that when i started wearing contact lenses my watery-eye symptoms disappeared. Like, gone. If i spend one day in glasses, the red puffy eyelids are back within hours. The contacts seem to form some kind of magical protective barrier. FWIW.

My neighbor has agreed to TiVo GoT for me since they have HBO and we don't - now I just need to figure out how I can get the files into my apartment. (I can usually see their wifi network from my bedroom, so maybe I can just grab them using Tivo desktop. Hmmm.)