Can you keep driving with an engine misfire?

Let’s be honest, when your car starts acting up, it’s tempting to just ignore it and hope it sorts itself out. But if you’re dealing with an engine misfire, that little shudder or weird sound under the hood might be trying to tell you something important. The big question is: can you keep driving with an engine misfire?

Short answer? Technically, yes. But should you? Probably not for long.

What actually is an engine misfire?

First off, let’s break it down. An engine misfire happens when one or more of your engine’s cylinders doesn’t fire properly. Think of your engine like a group project, when everyone does their bit, things run smooth. But when someone slacks off (a misfiring cylinder), everything feels off.

You might feel your car jerking, shaking at idle, lacking power, or you might even notice your fuel economy dropping. Sometimes, the check engine light comes on. Other times, your car just doesn’t sound quite right. That’s a classic sign of an engine misfire.

Why it happens

There are heaps of reasons why an engine misfire might pop up. It could be as simple as a worn-out spark plug or a dirty fuel injector. Sometimes it’s a dodgy coil, a vacuum leak, or even something more serious like low compression. Either way, your engine’s not firing the way it should, and that’s a problem.

For a full breakdown, read our guide on the top reasons for an engine misfire and which ones need urgent attention.

So… can you still drive?

Let’s say you’re already on the road, the engine misfire starts, and your car’s still moving. You might think, “Eh, I’ll deal with it later.” But here’s the catch: driving with an engine misfire can lead to more damage. And more damage means more dollars.

Your engine is designed to work in balance. When one part’s out of whack, it throws everything else off. If a cylinder keeps misfiring, it can overheat. That can damage the catalytic converter (a super expensive part), ruin your spark plugs, or even hurt the engine block. Keep ignoring it, and you might end up needing a whole engine rebuild.

How far can you push it?

Okay, so how far is too far? That depends. If it’s a minor misfire and you’re limping to your local mechanic five minutes down the road, you’ll probably be alright. But if you’re planning to keep driving for days or weeks hoping it’ll sort itself out—bad idea.

Some people try to “drive through” a misfire, especially if it’s intermittent. They might think it’s just a hiccup. But each time that cylinder doesn’t fire right, it’s putting stress on your engine, and the problem doesn’t magically go away.

What it feels like

You might notice rough idling. Or your engine might feel like it’s struggling to climb a hill, even if you’ve floored the pedal. Your exhaust might start to smell different. You could hear a popping noise, kind of like a little backfire. All of these are signs of an engine misfire, and none of them are a good reason to keep ignoring the issue.

It’ll cost more the longer you wait

Here’s the part where it gets real. Replacing a spark plug? Not too pricey. Fixing a fuel injector? Still manageable. But ignoring an engine misfire long enough to damage your catalytic converter or engine internals? That could set you back thousands.

At Coastwide Service Centre, we’ve seen it all – drivers who came in early with a small misfire and got it sorted with minimal fuss, and others who waited too long and ended up needing major repairs. The earlier you catch it, the cheaper and easier it is to fix.

Can you diagnose it yourself?

Sometimes. If you’ve got a scan tool or a code reader, you might be able to pull a fault code. Common codes like P0301 or P0304 tell you which cylinder is misfiring. But knowing which one is misfiring doesn’t always tell you why.

It could be electrical, fuel-related, or mechanical. That’s where a proper mechanic (like the ones at Coastwide Service Centre) can help. We’ve got the tools and know-how to track down the issue and get you sorted.

Stop-start traffic and engine misfires? No thanks.

Here’s another thing to consider. If you’re driving in heavy stop-start traffic with an engine misfire, you’re not just risking more damage – you’re also risking your safety. A misfiring engine can stall or hesitate when you need power most, like merging onto a highway or pulling out at a roundabout.

Can you fix it and prevent it?

Absolutely. Regular servicing helps keep things running properly and avoids issues like this. Change your spark plugs, use quality fuel, and don’t ignore small warning signs. If your engine starts to feel off, don’t wait until it gets worse.

And if you’ve already got an engine misfire, book in a check-up. Coastwide Service Centre can run a full diagnostic and find out what’s going on. We’ll fix it before it turns into a major drama.

If the misfire has progressed to the point where your car won’t start, read our guide on what to do when your engine won’t start.

Don’t mess with a misfire

So, can you keep driving with an engine misfire? Technically yes, but it’s a bit like walking around with a pebble in your shoe – annoying at first, and painful if you keep going. Best thing to do? Get it checked early.

At Coastwide Service Centre, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a spark plug, a dodgy coil, or something a bit deeper, we’ll get your engine firing on all cylinders again. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Give us a call, or book your service online. Read more about our car repair service.

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