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P0313 Code: Misfire Detected With Low Fuel

P0313 code misfire detected with low fuel diagnostic guide

The P0313 OBD-II trouble code means the engine control module detected an engine misfire while the reported fuel level was low.

The generic code definition is:

P0313 — Misfire Detected With Low Fuel

P0313 does not identify one failed cylinder or prove that the vehicle simply ran out of gas. It records a specific combination of conditions:

Refueling is the correct first step, but it is not always the complete repair. A weak fuel pump, restricted pickup, inaccurate fuel-level sensor, contaminated fuel, ignition failure, injector problem, or low compression may still be responsible.

P0313 belongs to the misfire family covered in the complete Pro Street P-code OBD-II guide.

P0313 Quick Answer

ItemInformation
Trouble codeP0313
DefinitionMisfire Detected With Low Fuel
SystemCombustion and fuel delivery
SeverityModerate to high
Safe to drive?Not if the Check Engine Light flashes, the engine stalls, or power drops severely
First stepAdd enough correct fuel to rule out simple fuel starvation
Common causesVery low fuel, weak pump, pickup starvation, contaminated fuel, ignition fault, or injector problem
Related codesP0300–P0312, P0087, P0191 and fuel-level sensor codes
Typical repair rangeRefueling cost to $2,500+, depending on the cause

What Does P0313 Mean?

Modern engine computers detect misfires by monitoring small changes in crankshaft speed during individual combustion events.

When one or more cylinders fail to produce the expected power, the crankshaft slows slightly. If the computer detects enough of these events while the fuel-level input indicates a nearly empty tank, it may store P0313.

The logic helps distinguish a possible low-fuel misfire from a failure that occurs with an adequate fuel supply.

However, P0313 does not prove that low fuel is the only cause.

Possible scenarios include:

  1. The vehicle is genuinely running out of fuel.
  2. Fuel moves away from the pump pickup during a turn, hill or acceleration.
  3. A weak pump cannot maintain pressure when the tank is low.
  4. The fuel gauge or level sensor reports an incorrect value.
  5. Contaminated fuel causes the engine to misfire.
  6. An unrelated ignition, injector or compression fault occurs while the tank happens to be low.

The fuel level is part of the operating condition—not a signed confession from the fuel pump.

For broader combustion-failure information, visit our engine misfire symptoms, causes and diagnosis guide.

How Is P0313 Different From P0300?

P0313 and P0300 may appear together, but they describe different information.

CodeMeaning
P0300Random or multiple-cylinder misfire detected
P0313A misfire was detected while the reported fuel level was low

P0300 describes the misfire pattern.

P0313 describes an operating condition present when the misfire occurred.

A vehicle may store both codes when low fuel causes several cylinders to misfire. It may also store a cylinder-specific code such as P0302 if one cylinder shows the highest misfire count.

If P0313 remains after the tank is refilled, continue diagnosing the misfire rather than repeatedly adding fuel to an already full tank. At that point, optimism has officially exceeded tank capacity.

P0313 Versus P0087

P0313 is also different from P0087 Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low.

CodeWhat the computer detected
P0313Misfire occurred while fuel level was reported low
P0087Actual fuel pressure remained below the commanded or expected pressure

P0313 does not directly prove that fuel pressure is low.

P0087 provides stronger evidence that the fuel system cannot produce or maintain the required pressure.

When P0313 and P0087 appear together, inspect:

Low fuel can uncover a weak pump, but replacing the pump requires more evidence than a dashboard gauge resting near empty.

Common Conditions Associated With P0313

Depending on the severity of the fuel-delivery or combustion problem, the vehicle may experience:

Some vehicles may run normally after refueling. Others may continue misfiring because the low fuel level exposed an underlying pump, injector, ignition, or mechanical problem.

How Serious Is P0313?

P0313 ranges from moderate to serious.

If the vehicle simply ran extremely low on fuel and operates normally after refueling, the immediate problem may be resolved.

However, continued misfiring can send unburned fuel into the exhaust and damage the catalytic converter.

Fuel starvation may also cause:

Stop Driving Immediately If:

A flashing Check Engine Light generally indicates an active catalyst-damaging misfire. Reduce load, pull over safely, and shut the engine off.

Most Common Causes of P0313

Possible causeRelative likelihood
Fuel tank genuinely near emptyVery high
Fuel pickup temporarily uncoveredHigh
Weak in-tank fuel pumpHigh
Restricted fuel filter or pickup strainerMedium
Contaminated or incorrect fuelMedium
Faulty fuel-level sensor or sending unitMedium
Fuel gauge or instrument-cluster errorMedium
Fuel-pressure regulator faultMedium
Low pump voltage or poor groundMedium
Leaking or restricted fuel injectorMedium
Worn spark plugs or weak ignition coilsMedium
Intake or vacuum leakLower
Low engine compressionLower
PCM calibration or electrical faultRare

The first step is to verify the actual fuel level. The second is to determine whether the misfire disappears after adding fuel.

How Low Fuel Can Cause an Engine Misfire

Fuel Pickup Starvation

The fuel pump normally draws fuel through a pickup or reservoir inside the tank.

When the fuel level is extremely low, fuel may move away from the pickup during:

If the pump briefly draws air instead of fuel, pressure can fall and the engine may misfire or stall.

A misfire that occurs primarily during turns or hills with a nearly empty tank strongly supports pickup starvation.

Weak Fuel Pump Exposed by a Low Tank

An in-tank electric fuel pump is cooled and lubricated by the surrounding fuel. Continually operating with very little fuel can increase pump temperature.

A worn pump may operate normally with a fuller tank but struggle when:

Refilling the tank can temporarily improve pump operation by cooling the pump and keeping its pickup submerged. That improvement does not prove the pump is healthy.

Restricted Pickup or Fuel Filter

A restricted pickup strainer or fuel filter may allow enough flow at idle but not under acceleration.

When fuel volume is already limited by a low tank level, the restriction can become more noticeable.

Possible clues include:

Contaminated Fuel

Water, sediment, incorrect fuel, or other contamination can cause combustion problems.

If contamination is concentrated near the pump pickup, a low tank may make the problem more noticeable.

Possible signs include:

Do not assume every P0313 is caused by “bad gas.” Obtain a sample and verify contamination before draining the tank or blaming the last fuel station.

How to Diagnose P0313

Step 1: Confirm the Code and Save Freeze-Frame Data

Connect an OBD-II scanner and record:

Do not clear P0313 yet.

Record:

The freeze-frame fuel-level value is especially important.

Step 2: Check the Actual Fuel Level

Confirm whether the vehicle is genuinely low on fuel.

Do not rely exclusively on the dashboard gauge.

Consider:

If the fuel level is uncertain, add enough of the correct fuel to place the tank comfortably above one-quarter full.

Adding a gallon to a large tank may not be enough to keep the pickup submerged during acceleration or turns.

Step 3: Use the Correct Fuel

Verify the vehicle’s required fuel type.

Adding incorrect fuel can create more serious problems than the original P0313.

Check whether the vehicle requires:

If the wrong fuel may have been added, do not continue running the engine. Have the fuel system inspected and drained according to the vehicle manufacturer’s procedure.

Step 4: Refill and Reevaluate

After adding sufficient correct fuel:

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Observe idle quality.
  3. Monitor misfire counters.
  4. Check fuel trims.
  5. Look for pending codes.
  6. Perform a controlled road test if the engine runs normally.

If P0313 does not return and no misfire is present, the low fuel level may have been the primary cause.

If the misfire continues, diagnose the underlying ignition, injector, airflow, pressure, or mechanical problem.

Refueling is a test. It is not permission to ignore a persistent misfire.

Step 5: Check for Related Codes

P0313 commonly appears with:

Code combinations help direct the diagnosis.

Code combinationLikely diagnostic direction
P0313 only, tank nearly emptyGenuine low-fuel or pickup-starvation event
P0313 plus P0300Fuel starvation affecting several cylinders
P0313 plus one cylinder codeCylinder-specific ignition, injector or compression problem
P0313 plus P0087Fuel-pressure delivery problem
P0313 plus lean codesLow pressure, intake leak, restricted injectors or airflow error
P0313 with inaccurate gaugeFuel-level sensor, sending unit, cluster or wiring problem

Step 6: Monitor Misfire Counters

Determine whether the misfire affects:

One-cylinder misfire:

Multiple-cylinder misfire:

P0313 provides the operating condition. The accompanying misfire pattern still determines which systems deserve priority.

Step 7: Test Fuel Pressure

Measure fuel pressure according to the manufacturer’s procedure.

Compare:

A pump may maintain acceptable pressure at idle but fail under load.

Whenever possible, reproduce the operating condition that triggered P0313. A pressure test performed only in the driveway may miss fuel starvation that occurs during acceleration or cornering.

Direct-injection and common-rail systems can operate at dangerous pressures. Never loosen high-pressure fuel connections without following the approved depressurization procedure.

Step 8: Test Fuel Volume

Correct pressure at idle does not always prove that the pump can deliver enough fuel volume.

A restricted filter, damaged pickup, weak pump, or failing control module may reduce volume under sustained demand.

Follow the manufacturer’s approved volume or delivery test. Do not discharge fuel near heat, sparks, electrical equipment, or an unapproved container.

Step 9: Test Fuel-Pump Voltage and Ground

A healthy pump cannot deliver full output without adequate voltage and ground.

Inspect:

Perform voltage-drop testing while the pump operates.

Excessive resistance may allow the pump to run but reduce its speed and output. Hearing the pump make noise confirms only that it has retained the ability to make noise.

For a vehicle-specific example, review our Toyota Supra fuel-pump testing guide.

Step 10: Inspect the Fuel Pickup and Tank

If P0313 repeatedly occurs with low fuel, during turns, or on hills, inspect the tank and pickup system.

Possible problems include:

This inspection often requires fuel-tank removal or access through a service opening.

Follow all fuel-system safety procedures. Work in a ventilated area away from flames, sparks, heaters, and other ignition sources.

Step 11: Verify the Fuel-Level Sensor

P0313 relies partly on fuel-level information.

Compare scan-tool fuel-level data with:

A faulty sending unit may:

An inaccurate fuel-level signal can mislead both the driver and the diagnostic system.

However, a faulty gauge alone does not create a real engine misfire. If misfire counters are increasing, continue testing combustion and fuel delivery.

Step 12: Inspect the Fuel Quality

If the problem began after refueling or a long period of storage, obtain a fuel sample using an approved procedure.

Inspect for:

If contamination is confirmed:

  1. Drain the tank safely.
  2. Clean the tank if required.
  3. Replace the filter or strainer as needed.
  4. Flush affected lines according to the service procedure.
  5. Inspect injectors and pumps.
  6. Refill with fresh approved fuel.

Step 13: Inspect Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils

Low fuel may be coincidental.

If one cylinder accumulates most of the misfires, inspect that cylinder’s ignition components.

Check the spark plug for:

If the engine uses coil-on-plug ignition, swap the suspected coil with a healthy cylinder.

If the misfire follows the coil, replace it.

Our bad ignition coil guide explains common ignition-coil failure patterns.

Also review our ignition coil replacement guide before installing replacement parts.

Step 14: Test the Fuel Injectors

A restricted or electrically failed injector may cause one cylinder to misfire while the fuel level happens to be low.

Injector diagnosis may include:

Useful Pro Street injector-testing references include:

Step 15: Check for Intake Leaks

An intake leak can create a lean misfire unrelated to the fuel level.

Inspect:

A smoke test is generally the safest and most effective way to locate an intake leak.

Strongly positive fuel trims at idle that improve with engine speed often point toward unmetered air rather than fuel starvation.

Step 16: Check Engine Compression

If ignition, injector, pressure, and airflow tests do not explain a cylinder-specific misfire, perform a compression test.

Low compression may result from:

Follow low compression with a cylinder leak-down test to identify where pressure escapes.

Low fuel does not repair low compression. It merely gives the computer another detail to include in the complaint.

Step 17: Clear P0313 and Verify the Repair

After correcting the confirmed cause:

  1. Fill the tank above one-quarter.
  2. Clear stored and pending codes.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Monitor misfire counters.
  5. Verify fuel pressure.
  6. Review fuel trims.
  7. Recreate the original operating conditions safely.
  8. Complete the required drive cycle.
  9. Scan for pending or permanent codes.

The repair is confirmed when the engine no longer misfires and P0313 does not return.

Common P0313 Repairs and Costs

RepairApproximate installed cost
Add correct fuelCost of fuel
Replace fuel cap or correct filling problem$20–$100
Replace fuel filter$100–$400
Replace in-tank fuel pump$400–$1,500
Replace pump-control module or relay$150–$800
Repair pump wiring or ground$100–$700
Replace fuel-level sending unit$300–$1,200
Clean fuel tank and remove contamination$500–$2,000
Replace fuel-pressure regulator$200–$800
Replace high-pressure fuel pump$700–$2,500+
Replace spark plugs or ignition coil$50–$800
Replace or clean fuel injector$150–$1,200
Repair internal engine problem$1,500–$8,000+

These are broad estimates. Vehicle design, labor rates, parts availability, and diagnostic time can significantly change the final cost.

Common P0313 Diagnostic Mistakes

Assuming the Vehicle Simply Ran Out of Fuel

Low fuel is the first possibility, not the only one. Confirm that the misfire disappears after refueling.

Adding Too Little Fuel

One or two gallons may not keep the pickup submerged during turns or acceleration, especially in a large or irregularly shaped tank.

Replacing the Fuel Pump Without Testing Pressure

Verify pressure, volume, voltage, ground, and operating conditions before replacing the pump.

Ignoring P0087

P0313 combined with P0087 provides stronger evidence of an actual fuel-pressure problem.

Ignoring Cylinder-Specific Codes

P0313 with one cylinder code may indicate a spark plug, coil, injector, wiring, or compression problem unrelated to the low fuel level.

Trusting the Fuel Gauge Completely

The gauge, sending unit, cluster, or wiring may report an inaccurate level.

Clearing Freeze-Frame Data Too Early

The freeze-frame fuel-level value may be the most important evidence connected to P0313.

Replacing Ignition Parts Without Testing

A low tank does not prove the pump failed, and a misfire does not prove an ignition coil failed. Test both systems according to the observed pattern.

P0313 Frequently Asked Questions

Does P0313 Mean the Vehicle Ran Out of Gas?

Not necessarily. It means a misfire was detected while the computer believed the fuel level was low.

Will Adding Fuel Clear P0313?

Adding fuel may stop the misfire if simple fuel starvation caused it. The stored code may still need several successful drive cycles or manual clearing.

Can a Weak Fuel Pump Cause P0313?

Yes. A weak pump may struggle more when the fuel level is low, the tank is hot, or engine demand increases.

Can P0313 Cause the Engine to Stall?

Yes. Fuel starvation can cause hesitation, severe power loss, stalling, or a no-start condition.

Can a Bad Fuel-Level Sensor Cause P0313?

An inaccurate level signal can affect the conditions under which the code is stored. However, it does not create an actual combustion misfire by itself.

Why Does P0313 Occur During Turns?

Fuel may move away from the pump pickup when the tank is nearly empty. A damaged baffle, pickup, reservoir, or pump installation can make this worse.

Why Does P0313 Occur on Hills?

A steep angle can move fuel away from the pickup when the tank is low.

What Is the Difference Between P0313 and P0087?

P0313 means a misfire occurred with low reported fuel. P0087 means measured fuel pressure remained below its commanded or expected level.

Can Contaminated Fuel Cause P0313?

Yes. Water, sediment, incorrect fuel, or phase separation can cause misfires and fuel-delivery problems.

Can an Ignition Coil Cause P0313?

Yes. An unrelated ignition failure may occur while the fuel level happens to be low. Check the accompanying misfire pattern.

Can I Drive With P0313?

Driving is not recommended if the engine is misfiring, stalling, losing power, or displaying a flashing Check Engine Light.

Can P0313 Damage the Catalytic Converter?

Yes. Continued misfiring can send unburned fuel into the exhaust and overheat the converter.

Related OBD-II Codes

Explore the Pro Street OBD-II Code Libraries

Use the Pro Street cornerstone pages to find additional diagnostic trouble codes:

P0313 means the computer detected a misfire while the reported fuel level was low.

Begin by saving the freeze-frame data and verifying the actual fuel level. Add enough correct fuel to keep the pump pickup submerged and reevaluate the engine.

If P0313 or the misfire returns, test fuel pressure, fuel volume, pump voltage, the level sensor, fuel quality, ignition components, injectors, intake integrity, and compression.

Sometimes the answer is simply “add fuel.” Sometimes low fuel merely exposed a pump that was already drafting its resignation letter.

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