What does it mean if the service engine soon light comes on in my SUV?

[sweetheart02202]

I had a diagnostics test run on it and the code said my 02 sensors, bank 1 and bank 2 needed serviced. What does that mean?
CALM DOWN... geesh! I was going by what the guy at Auto Zone said. I realize the code would not say that. He just told me what the code meant. Secondly I'm going to assume most vehicles have 02 sensors and so for my question the make and model etc were not needed. Just needed a general explanation. Thanks for the info to the rest of you. YOU WERE MUCH MORE POLITE

 

[NOTTHISYEARHAGI]

bad sensors common problem easy do it yourself

 

[rickinnocal]

The o2 sensors measure the amount of oxygen, which is an important input to the computer. If they are malfunctioning your car is burning too much gas - and will fail its next smog test.

Richard

 

[matthew]

Thats just a way for car companies to make money when that light comes on it can mean anything i could be that ur gas lid is lose or it could mean that there is a little piece of dust on the computer chip more than likeley there is nothing at all wrong with ur suv