Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Mass Air Flow Sensor?

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: MAF sensor

Video tutorial

What is a mass air flow sensor (also known as "air flow meter" or "MAF sensor")? It is a sensor that measures the amount of air drawn into the engine. It is located in the intake duct, between the air filter and the engine.

The most common type is the "hot wire" type: the ECU heats a small wire (or film) inside the sensor to 120°C. When air passes through, it cools this wire. The ECU measures how much current is needed to bring it back to 120°C: more air passing through requires more current.

This way, the ECU knows exactly how much air is entering and can calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject (the so-called "stoichiometric ratio"). You can clean it yourself by disconnecting the electrical connector, removing the securing ties, and spraying a specific electronic contact cleaner on the sensitive part.

Allow it to dry and reassemble.

When it is not functioning properly, the car accelerates unevenly and loses torque and power.


Posted on 16 March 2026 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

Cleaning the Mass Air Flow Sensor
Cleaning the Mass Air Flow Sensor
(Various brands) Various In this video, you will learn how to clean the mass air flow sensor. First, open the engine bay and locate the mass air flow sensor, usually found ne…
What to Check If Your Car Does Not Accelerate
What to Check If Your Car Does Not Accelerate
(Various brands) Various If your car does not accelerate, the problem may be with the mass air flow sensor. This device is a flow meter that measures the mass of air and is n…
Replacing the Mass Air Flow Sensor in Your Car
Replacing the Mass Air Flow Sensor in Your Car
(Various brands) Various Let’s see how to replace the mass air flow sensor in your car. Lift the bonnet and secure it, then use a screwdriver to unscrew the locking bolts of …

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Reset the Tyre Light on a Toyota Aygo?

To reset the tyre light on a Toyota Aygo, start by locating the reset button, which is found in the glove compartment of the front passenger side. Turn on the car and ensure that the tyres are at the correct pressure. Then, press and hold the reset button for a few seconds until the tyre light either flashes or turns off, depending on the model. Release the button and wait for the reset procedure to complete. Restart your Toyota Aygo and check if the tyre light has turned off, indicating that the reset was successful.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos