Engine

P0313 — Misfire Detected With Low Fuel Level

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0313 means

The engine control module watches crankshaft speed variations to detect misfires. P0313 is stored when a misfire occurs while the fuel level is very low. With little fuel in the tank, the pump can suck in air or run hot, pressure drops, and the mixture goes lean, causing misfires. Fuel delivery, sensor, or ignition faults can also be behind it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on or flashing
  • Rough idle and vibration
  • Hesitation when accelerating
  • Loss of power
  • Stalling or hard starting with a low tank
  • Increased exhaust emissions

Possible causes

  1. Very low fuel level causing the pump to draw air and interrupt delivery
  2. Weak or failing fuel pump
  3. Clogged fuel filter
  4. Faulty fuel pressure sensor or bad signal
  5. Worn spark plugs or failing ignition coils
  6. Faulty or clogged fuel injectors
  7. Mechanical engine problem such as low compression

How to diagnose

  1. Read all codes and freeze frame data: fuel level, rpm, and load when the fault set
  2. Clear the code, refuel, and see whether it returns
  3. Check misfire counters by cylinder to see if one or several are affected
  4. Measure fuel pressure with a gauge and compare to spec, and judge pump performance
  5. Inspect the fuel pressure sensor, connectors, and wiring
  6. Inspect spark plugs and coils, and swap a coil or plug between cylinders to test
  7. Check injector operation and cylinder balance
  8. If electrical checks pass, do a compression test

Common fixes

  • Refill the tank and avoid running on a near-empty tank
  • Replace the fuel filter
  • Replace the fuel pump
  • Replace the fuel pressure sensor or repair its wiring
  • Replace spark plugs or coils, or clean or replace injectors

P0313 on different brands

Ford · manuals
On Ford, P0313:00 in the 2024–2025 gasoline engine monitor strategy means a misfire was detected with a low fuel level; it names the monitor condition, not a confirmed failed part.

Questions and answers

What does P0313 mean?

The ECM detected a misfire while the fuel tank was low. Low fuel often interrupts delivery, but the pump, filter, plugs, and coils should be checked too.

Can I drive with P0313?

If the engine runs smoothly and the light is steady, you can drive carefully to refuel and get it checked. If the light flashes or the engine shakes, stop to protect the catalytic converter.

Will refueling fix it?

If low fuel was the only cause, the code may not return after refueling and clearing it. If it comes back, the fuel and ignition systems need diagnosis.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.