2001 Silverado 1500 4.3L v6 - 350k miles...

I drove from Dallas to Houston - then back to Dallas again... last weekend After I got back to Dallas - the next morning - my Check Engine light was on - so dropped into a local shop to have them quickly read the code(s). O2 Sensor - Bank 1, Sensor 2.

I went ahead and bought a set (RockAuto - Surprisingly was delivered next day by DHL!) and replaced both downstream sensors. Check engine light is still on. So - do I need to have it reset by the shop? I tried unhooking the battery for a few minutes - but didn't clear it. Or do I just need to drive - and eventually the light will turn off after so many minutes/miles on the road? Ive seen videos where some models have to "relearn" that there's a new oxygen sensor... Would that be the case on my 2001?

With some luck - maybe this will help my gas mileage issues I've had over the last couple of years, also...

 

3 trips.... 2 around the block, then the last - a longer trip to the grocery store. CEL is off. Case closed (for now). I'll anxiously watch my mileage.

 

I wound up changing all 4 O2 sensors - since the upstream sensors affect fuel trim. Also changed the pcv valve. My first complete tank of gas improved mileage immensely! This tank got 22.4mpg. note also - this was a road trip (highway miles), and I kept the cruise control at 74mph or less, and use ethanol-free 90 octane.

The following day - I drove another tank of gas - however no cruise control because of heavy traffic, and was at 75-85(ish) mph. Mileage on THAT tank was right at 11.8 mpg. 😳. Lead-foot = bad mpg!!!

 

Thanks for the advice guys! I was just thinking about changing the sensors on my dodge and upgrading the engine a little. I found a good resource here 5.7 HEMI RAM Upgrades, where you can find a lot of parts for a full or partial upgrade