P0316
Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)
Ignition / misfire
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0316 means the engine's misfire monitor detected misfiring during the first 1000 revolutions after startup — the cold, rich window right after you turn the key. It's often set alongside a random (P0300) or cylinder-specific misfire code, and points to ignition or fuel problems that show up worst when the engine is cold. Because misfires can overheat the catalytic converter, it's worth diagnosing promptly.
High
Can I keep driving? Drive cautiously — the engine misfires right after starting; sustained misfires can damage the catalytic converter, so diagnose it soon.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on (may flash during the startup misfire)
- Rough running, shaking, or near-stall in the first seconds after a cold start
- Hard starting and rough idle that often smooths out as the engine warms
- Reduced power and hesitation while the misfire is active
Common causes
Most likely first
- Worn or fouled spark plugsLikely
- Failing ignition coil(s)Common
- Clogged/leaking fuel injectors or low fuel pressure at startupCommon
- Vacuum leak that worsens the cold, rich startup mixtureLess often
- Failing crankshaft or camshaft position sensor giving a poor initial signalLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and check for cylinder-specific misfire codes (P0301–P0308) to see if the miss is isolated.
- Inspect the spark plugs and coils, and replace worn plugs — the most common startup-misfire cause.
- Check fuel pressure at key-on/start and test the injectors for clogging or leak-down.
- Test for vacuum leaks around the intake.
- Scan the crank and cam sensor signals for dropouts; clear the code and re-test over several cold starts.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0316?+
Briefly, and cautiously. The misfire is worst right at startup and may ease as the engine warms, but any misfire can send raw fuel into the catalytic converter. Diagnose it before it becomes a persistent miss.
Can I just clear P0316?+
It will return on the next cold start because the ECM specifically watches the first 1000 revolutions. Fixing the plugs, coils, or fuel delivery is what keeps it from coming back.
Related codes
Often seen with P0316
Read & clear P0316 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