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P0313: Misfire detected with low fuel level

The engine misfired while the fuel tank was nearly empty. Usually the pump is drawing air or the fuel gauge sender is reading higher than it should.

Code P0313 at a glance
CodeP0313
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP03xx, Ignition and misfires
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0313 means

The ECU has detected misfires at a time when the fuel level was low. With little fuel in the tank, cornering, braking or climbing hills can make the pump draw in air, so the engine gets less fuel than it needs. If the misfires carry on with a full tank, look at the usual causes of a misfire.

Most common causes

  • Driving on the reserve, which leaves the pump sucking air
  • Fuel level sender reading more fuel than there really is
  • Weak fuel pump or blocked pump inlet strainer
  • Dirty fuel filter
  • Usual misfire causes: spark plugs, coils or air leaks

Symptoms

  • Jerking or loss of power when the tank is low
  • Engine cutting out on bends or hills
  • Engine warning light on
  • Problem goes away or improves after filling up

Can you drive with P0313?

With care You can drive, but refuel as soon as possible and avoid running the tank low. If the misfires continue with a full tank or the light flashes, take it to a workshop.

How to check it

Fill the tank, clear the code and drive for a few days: if it does not come back, running low on fuel was the cause. Also compare what the gauge shows with how many litres go in when you fill up.

How to read and clear P0313 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0313 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

P0313 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Citroën, Hyundai, Mini, Renault, Seat, Volvo. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code P0313 mean?

The ECU has detected misfires at a time when the fuel level was low. With little fuel in the tank, cornering, braking or climbing hills can make the pump draw in air, so the engine gets less fuel than it needs. If the misfires carry on with a full tank, look at the usual causes of a misfire.

Can you drive with P0313?

You can drive, but refuel as soon as possible and avoid running the tank low. If the misfires continue with a full tank or the light flashes, take it to a workshop.

How do you clear P0313?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0313 comes back.