What Does It Feel Like When a Car Has a Misfiring Cylinder?
3 Answers
Engine misfiring can cause symptoms such as increased fuel consumption, black smoke emission, lack of power, and increased driving noise. Below is an introduction related to engine cylinders: 1. Introduction: A cylinder is a cylindrical chamber within the engine where a piston is driven by the pressure or expansion force of the working fluid. Some special types of engines may have similar, but non-cylindrical parts. 2. Types: In pneumatic transmission, cylinders are actuators that convert the pressure energy of compressed gas into mechanical energy. Cylinders can be categorized into two types: those that perform linear reciprocating motion and those that perform oscillating reciprocating motion. Cylinders performing linear reciprocating motion can be further divided into four types: single-acting, double-acting, diaphragm-type, and impact cylinders.
When the engine misfires, the most noticeable symptom for me is severe vibration, especially when pressing the accelerator to accelerate. The steering wheel and seats can feel that irregular shaking, making it as uncomfortable as driving on a gravel road. My old car had this problem before. At first, I thought it was a tire issue, but then the acceleration became weak, the engine sound turned rough with a crackling noise, and some white smoke came out of the exhaust. Fuel consumption also increased sharply—a full tank didn’t last long. The scariest part was the inability to pick up speed, making it difficult to overtake on the highway. Later, I took it for repairs immediately, and the mechanic said the ignition system was faulty. Fortunately, I fixed it in time without causing further trouble.
I often drive long distances and notice that when the engine misfires, the acceleration becomes particularly sluggish. The once powerful feeling is completely gone, and even lightly pressing the gas pedal results in slow and hesitant movement, with occasional stutters. The engine sound is also off—instead of the usual smooth hum, it's a chaotic crackling noise, especially noticeable when the AC is on or going uphill. When the check engine light on the dashboard comes on, I know there's an issue. I immediately stopped to check the spark plugs and coils, and sure enough, a worn-out wire was causing the misfire. Ignoring it could lead to more severe shaking or even a breakdown on the road, so now I regularly inspect these parts during maintenance.
