Can I drive with P0306?

Flashing light? Stop driving now. Steady light? Drive gently to a mechanic soon. If the check engine light is steady, drive gently to a mechanic soon. If the check engine light is FLASHING, stop driving. Unburned fuel can destroy the catalytic converter.

What does P0306 mean?

P0306 stands for Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected.

Symptoms you may notice

• Engine shaking or stumbling under acceleration
• Noticeable power loss and sluggish response
• Flashing or steady check engine light
• Strong fuel odor from the exhaust pipe

How much does it cost to fix?

Repair costs for code P0306 depend on the specific underlying root cause, ranging from simple DIY checks to component replacement. The table below lists the most common causes and rough price ranges in USD:

• Failed ignition coil on cylinder 6
  $50-$150 common
• Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 6
  $20-$80 common
• Clogged or failing fuel injector for cylinder 6
  $120-$320 possible
• Low compression or leaking intake valve
  $600-$2200 rare

What to do next

1. Observe your check engine light: if it is FLASHING, stop driving now to avoid catalytic converter damage.
2. If the check engine light is STEADY, drive gently to a mechanic soon without hard acceleration or towing.
3. Inspect the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel injector connectors for faults.

Related codes

About this code

Code P0306 isolates an engine misfire specifically to cylinder 6. A bad ignition coil pack or spark plug is by far the most frequent reason. When cylinder 6 misfires, unburnt gasoline gets pumped down the exhaust manifold. If the light flashes, the misfire is severe enough to cause converter overheating and fire hazards within minutes.