P0316: Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)
Misfires were detected in the first moments after starting, before the engine settled. Often moisture, fuel delivery or ignition weakness shows up worst on a cold start.
Green, yellow, red: three ways P0316 can look
The same code can be a quick fix or a reason to pull over. Match your situation to the closest example.
Keep an eye on it
Occasional rough start in cold, damp weather that smooths out right away.
Schedule a repair
Every start is rough, or other misfire codes appear too. Get it looked at before it spreads.
Stop and get help
Rough start with a flashing light or raw fuel smell. Don't drive it until it's checked; a leaking injector can damage the engine.
Symptoms you might notice
- Rough or shaky start
- Smooths out after warming up
- Check engine light
Common causes, cheapest first
- Worn spark plugs or weak coils
- Leaking injector flooding a cylinder overnight
- Moisture in the coils or plug wells
- Low fuel pressure at startup
- Carbon buildup on intake valves (direct injection)
What you can check before calling
- Note whether it only happens on cold or damp mornings
- Check plug age
A code points to a system, not a part. Replacing parts based on the code alone is how people spend money without fixing the problem. Testing confirms the cause first.
Want the full story? Read our guide: P0300–P0308 misfire codes, explained.
Generic codes (second character 0) mean the same thing on every vehicle. Some manufacturers add their own details, so check service information for your exact vehicle.
Related codes
More misfire & ignition codes
Look up another code
Cummins fault code (like 1922), J1939 SPN and FMI (like SPN 3251 FMI 0), or an OBD-II code (like P0420).
Questions
What does P0316 mean?
P0316 means "Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)". Misfires were detected in the first moments after starting, before the engine settled. Often moisture, fuel delivery or ignition weakness shows up worst on a cold start.
Can I drive with code P0316?
It depends on what the vehicle is doing. Green: Occasional rough start in cold, damp weather that smooths out right away. Yellow: Every start is rough, or other misfire codes appear too. Get it looked at before it spreads. Red: Rough start with a flashing light or raw fuel smell. Don't drive it until it's checked; a leaking injector can damage the engine.
What causes P0316?
The most common causes are: worn spark plugs or weak coils; leaking injector flooding a cylinder overnight; moisture in the coils or plug wells.
Is P0316 a serious code?
It can be. Rough start with a flashing light or raw fuel smell. Don't drive it until it's checked; a leaking injector can damage the engine.
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