How Long Can You Drive with a Misfiring Cylinder?

[SanBraxton]

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.

[DiLayla]

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.

[Ian]

As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I strongly advise against driving with a misfiring cylinder. A misfire causes severe power loss, making hill climbing and overtaking dangerous, and the steering wheel may vibrate uncontrollably. Once, I stubbornly drove about 10 kilometers to the repair shop with a misfire, only to smell burning and later discover the ignition coil had melted. Short-term driving might not show immediate issues, but carbon buildup in the cylinder will accumulate like a snowball. If the piston rings seize, an engine overhaul could cost over ten thousand yuan. If the car breaks down completely on the road, the towing fee alone could cover a set of spark plugs. If absolutely necessary, shift to a low gear and move slowly, shutting off the engine immediately if the temperature rises.

[LeilaMarie]

It depends on the specific situation. If it's due to aging spark plugs, you might still drive for dozens of kilometers; but if the fuel injector is completely clogged, the car might break down after just a few kilometers. Once my car had a cylinder misfire, and the mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty ignition coil using a scanner. He said this kind of failure allows driving for only 15 minutes at most, otherwise it could damage the camshaft. Actually, the most obvious sign of a cylinder misfire is backfiring from the exhaust pipe, and the car body shaking violently like sitting on a massage chair. It's recommended to check the trouble codes immediately. If it's just high-voltage wire leakage, emergency measures can be taken, but if there's insufficient cylinder pressure, you really need to call for roadside assistance.

[Sherri]

From an economic standpoint, driving with a misfiring cylinder is simply not worth it. My neighbor kept driving for a week with a misfire, only to end up with cylinder wall scoring, costing an extra 5,000+ yuan in repairs. When a cylinder misfires, unburned gasoline dilutes the engine oil, leading to lubrication failure and rapid wear of the crankshaft bearings. Nowadays, towing services are very convenient—just a phone call away. If you absolutely must risk driving, remember these three tips: turn off the AC to reduce load, keep RPMs below 2,000, and check the coolant temperature gauge every two minutes. But it’s best not to exceed three kilometers—safety first.