P0305 on Acura
Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
P0305 on Acura vehicles indicates cylinder 5 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Acura models — most commonly on RL, TL. This code means the engine control module detected a misfire on cylinder number 5, meaning that cylinder is not burning its air-fuel mixture properly on some combustion cycles. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder fails to fire correctly. A misfire wastes fuel, can make the engine run rough or shake, and dumps unburned fuel into the exhaust, which can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. It generally points to a problem with spark, fuel delivery, or compression specifically affecting cylinder 5. Typical repair costs on Acura range from $100 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0305
- •Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 5
- •Failed ignition coil or coil pack for cylinder 5
- •Faulty or clogged fuel injector on cylinder 5
- •Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder
- •Bad spark plug wire or boot (on applicable engines)
- •Low compression from worn rings, valves, or head gasket
- •Carbon buildup or sticking valve on cylinder 5
- •Lean or rich fuel condition affecting the cylinder
P0305 on Acura by Model
Acura RL(1 issue)
- Distributor shaft seal leaks oil into cap, causes misfires (P0300-P0304) on 3.5L C35A1996-2004
Like every C-series V6 Honda used in the 1990s and 2000s (Legend, NSX, CL, TL, RL all share the family), the RL's 3.5L C35A V6 has a distributor mounted at the back of the head and driven directly off the camshaft. Inside the distributor housing, an oil seal isolates the cam-driven shaft from the cap/rotor/electrical assembly above. By 100,000 miles the seal hardens, oil pressure forces engine oil past the shaft, and the cap fills with oil. Result: misfires (typically P0300 random plus individual cylinder codes P0301-P0306 since this is a V6), rough idle, hesitation. RepairPal explicitly lists distributor O-rings as one of the most common Acura RL oil leak points. The figure-8 oil cooler seal and oil filter housing gasket are the other two common leaks on this engine — diagnose carefully before assuming distributor. The C35A engine remained in the first-gen RL through the entire 1996-2004 production run, so this issue affects all years.
Acura TL(1 issue)
- Oil Consumption and Fouled Spark Plugs on 3.7L V62009-2014
The 3.7L J37 V6 used in many TL SH-AWD models has a documented pattern of excessive oil consumption, sometimes leading to low oil level warnings, misfires, and spark plug fouling. Acura/Honda issued warranty extensions and service information for affected V6 engines in this family due to piston ring-related oil consumption. Owners often notice the engine using significant oil between changes, and if ignored, the condition can progress to rough running and catalyst damage risk.
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View P0305 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0305 mean on Acura?▼
P0305 stands for "Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected." This code means the engine control module detected a misfire on cylinder number 5, meaning that cylinder is not burning its air-fuel mixture properly on some combustion cycles. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder fails to fire correctly. A misfire wastes fuel, can make the engine run rough or shake, and dumps unburned fuel into the exhaust, which can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. It generally points to a problem with spark, fuel delivery, or compression specifically affecting cylinder 5. On Acura specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0305 on Acura vehicles?▼
Common causes on Acura: Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 5, Failed ignition coil or coil pack for cylinder 5, Faulty or clogged fuel injector on cylinder 5, Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder, Bad spark plug wire or boot (on applicable engines). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0305 on a Acura?▼
Repair costs on Acura range from $100 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Acura models have P0305 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0305 on 2 Acura models: RL, TL.