How Long Can You Drive with a Misfiring Cylinder?
2 Answers
Theoretically, you should not continue driving. Below are detailed explanations of the symptoms of a misfiring cylinder in a car: 1. Vibration: The most obvious symptom of a misfiring cylinder is vibration. During operation, because one or more cylinders are not functioning, the engine's balance is disrupted, leading to a noticeable drop in engine speed. The power output becomes uneven and intermittent, causing significant fluctuations in engine speed. Besides feeling the vibration in the engine, you can also observe it on the tachometer, where the needle will fluctuate up and down. 2. Increased Fuel Consumption: After a cylinder misfires, fuel consumption will rise significantly, and the engine's power output will noticeably decrease. Once the engine develops this issue, it can be detected through the car's dashboard. Under these circumstances, it is recommended that the owner take the car to a repair shop or a 4S store for inspection and repair.
To be honest, you really shouldn't push through with an engine misfire. Last time I encountered this issue, I called a tow truck right away. A misfire puts extra strain on the remaining cylinders, and over time it can even damage the piston rings—not to mention the violent shaking can wreck the engine mounts. Driving with a misfire also causes fuel consumption to skyrocket and fails emissions standards, which can easily overheat and ruin the catalytic converter. I've seen people stubbornly drive dozens of kilometers with a misfire, only to find their valves warped by the time they reached the shop. It's like trying to run a marathon with a limp—it's bound to end badly. The mechanic told me the safest approach is to stop and inspect immediately. If you absolutely must move the car, keep it under 5 km at low speed.
