P0275
Cylinder 5 Contribution/Balance
Fuel injectors / cylinder balance
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0275 means cylinder 5 isn't contributing its share of power — the ECM measures uneven crankshaft acceleration between cylinders and flags cylinder 5 as weak. The cause is usually a restricted or weak injector, but low compression or a fuel-delivery problem on that cylinder can also be behind it.
High
Can I keep driving? Driveable short-term, but the weak cylinder misfires and can harm the converter over time; repair promptly.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle or vibration
- Misfire feel and reduced power
- Hesitation under load
Common causes
Most likely first
- Restricted, weak, or failing cylinder 5 injectorLikely
- Low fuel pressure or a clogged fuel filter starving the cylinderCommon
- Low compression on cylinder 5 (valve or ring wear)Common
- Wiring or connector fault on the cylinder 5 injectorLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame and check for companion misfire or injector codes on cylinder 5.
- Compare injector flow/resistance or perform an injector-balance test.
- Check fuel pressure and filter condition.
- Run a compression test on cylinder 5 if injector and fuel checks are good.
- Repair or replace the weak component, then clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0275?+
A weak cylinder means a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter over time. It's driveable short-term, but fix it promptly.
Can I just clear P0275?+
It returns once the ECM again detects cylinder 5 underperforming; the underlying weakness has to be repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P0275
Read & clear P0275 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX