Hi Guys, First time poster long time lurker ;-)

Car: 97 LX m/t w/130k

Issue#1: Recently I've lost some fuel economy (about 16%). No CEL, no codes at all. Possible causes? My first thought was O2 sensor(s)... but wouldn't I have a code?

Additional q: I think I pretty much saw the answer to this below, but can I just get away with a $60 universal for no matter which o2 sensor I replace? On my last car when the o2 sensors went out I used a $20 chevy caprice o2 sensorto replace the ones that went out no problem... curious how everyone else has faired withuniversal sensors both upstream and downstream.

Issue#2: This one has me completely stumped. Every once in a while after the car is warmed up, it will stutterduring highway driving. I'll be on the road trying to maintain speed (approx 70-80 mph) with my foot steady on thegas, and the car will all ofa sudden start decellerating as I've let off the gas. If I move the pedal just a little bit, it will "remember" and jerk forward. Its done this for years now, and although it goes away after a few minutes, its really annoying and makes it difficult to maintain speed on the highway.. ideas?

In the last year, I've replaced the spark plugs and the fuel filter.

TIA for any ideas

 

I check your plug wires for your stuttering problem...

As for a universal o2 sensor i have no clue

 

if it listed it at the parts house for that make and model, then i bought the universal one (have to do the connectors).
would not want to put on one for a different make and model - but i do such things as that on working with mufflers (i.e. buy a VW muffler for a audi)

 

Yea I wasn't suggesting trying to use a caprice o2 sensor on the current ride. If I go to oreilly and look at parts they have universals for 97 lx's for $60, thats what I'm thinking of doing instead of payin $100+ for one...

 

sounds good - the universal one i buy for my 88 is 19.95 or 20.95 (at o'reilly)
but what i read here, seems like they are more for the newer cars