Firstly, remember that you could be driving at any speed when a misfire kicks in, and what your engine misfire feels like depends on what’s causing it.
Here are some common signs you might notice:
A. Loss of Power
As you drive, a misfire can cause the engine to lose power intermittently, or you’ll feel a brief hesitation in acceleration on pressing the throttle.
The engine may also feel like it’s stumbling for a few seconds before regaining pace. This can be the result of an incorrect air fuel mix or low fuel pressure due to a faulty O2 sensor.
B. Jerks or Vibrations
A misfiring cylinder can unbalance the engine, causing a shaking sensation. As the engine misfires and loses power, it may jerk or vibrate aggressively.
Your vehicle may seem to run normally most of the time, but it can struggle to idle when you stop at a stoplight or as soon as you start your car. Any sign of a rough idle is a fair indicator that your vehicle’s fuel system is causing a misfiring engine.
C. Engine Stalls
Stalling can occur more frequently with misfires if you use the air conditioner or headlights. Some misfires will allow you to keep driving (albeit with a fair degree of difficulty), while others will cause your engine to stall completely.
In addition to these sensations, an engine misfire can cause some unique and noticeable sounds in your engine.
