can you drive a 6 cylinder car on 5 cylinders

[McGarrett]

No, you should not drive a 6-cylinder car on 5 cylinders for anything other than a very short distance to get to a repair shop. While the engine might still run, this condition, known as a misfire, causes significant and immediate damage to the engine and its components. The car's computer (ECU) will detect the misfire and often put the engine into a limp mode to prevent further damage, severely reducing power and performance.

The primary risk is to the catalytic converter. Unburned fuel from the non-functioning cylinder is dumped into the exhaust system, causing the converter to overheat dramatically. Replacing a catalytic converter is an expensive repair. Additionally, the engine's balance is disrupted, placing extra stress on engine mounts and potentially damaging the oxygen sensors.

Here’s a quick overview of what happens:

Symptom/Risk	Cause	Consequence
Rough Running & Vibration	Engine imbalance from uneven power strokes	Uncomfortable drive, stress on engine mounts
Loss of Power & Limp Mode	ECU reduces engine power to protect components	Makes merging or climbing hills dangerous
Check Engine Light	ECU detects misfire via crankshaft sensor	Code stored (e.g., P0300 - random misfire)
Catalytic Converter Damage	Unburned fuel ignites inside the hot converter	Very expensive repair, often over $1,000
Oxygen Sensor Failure	Contamination from unburned fuel and excess heat	Reduced fuel efficiency and inaccurate readings

Your immediate action should be to diagnose which cylinder is misfiring. Common causes include a failed ignition coil, a bad spark plug, or a faulty fuel injector. These are typically much more affordable fixes than replacing a catalytic converter. Driving for extended periods in this state turns a simple, relatively inexpensive repair into a major financial headache.

[VonLaila]

Look, just get it to a mechanic, pronto. I’ve seen this too many times. Yeah, the car will move, but you’re basically cooking your catalytic converter with raw gasoline. That’s a bill you don’t want. The shaking isn’t just annoying; it’s a sign the engine is fighting itself. It’s not worth the risk. Get it towed if you’re more than a few miles from a shop. Trust me, the tow fee is cheaper than a new exhaust system.

[ArianaLee]

It’s a terrible idea for the health of your car. The engine computer will go into a protective limp mode, so you’ll have barely any power when you need it, like getting on the highway. The constant vibration isn’t normal and can shake other parts loose. The real killer is the unburned fuel from the dead cylinder. It flows into the catalytic converter and overheats it, leading to a repair that can cost more than fixing the original misfire.