P0313 on Saab: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P0313 on a Saab means the engine computer detected a misfire at a time when the fuel level was low. The low tank is the condition the code was logged under, not proof that it caused the misfire: running low on fuel is the most common reason, but the misfire may be real and the tank level only tells you when it happened. The fuel level the car treats as low differs by make, and Saab documents it as under 5 litres on the 9-3.
- Severity
- Moderate · Misfire
Connect a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone) to your Saab and Skanyx tells you what P0313 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P0313 mean on a Saab?
The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Saab models that log P0313.
Saab 9-3
2003-2004
Saab's workshop information for the 9-3 lists P0313 as a misfire detected at low fuel level, checked only when the fuel level is below 5 litres and the engine is under positive torque (not engine braking). The check engine light flashes if the misfire is harmful to the catalytic converter. The page names a rich or lean mixture, low compression and poor spark plugs as causes, so a code at low fuel is not automatically a fuel problem.
Source: saabwisonline.com, saabwisonline.com
Saab 9-5
2010
Saab's workshop information for the 4-cylinder diesel 9-5 defines P0313 as a critical low fuel content, not a measured misfire, which the engine computer is set up to catch to protect the fuel system from air contamination. The documented advice is to review when the code set, refill the tank with diesel and check that it does not return, because low fuel is the most common cause.
Source: saabwisonline.com
Sources
- saabwisonline.com saabwisonline.com/9-3-9440/2004/dtcs/t8/p0313-00
- saabwisonline.com saabwisonline.com/9-3-9440/2003/dtcs/t8/p0313-00
- saabwisonline.com saabwisonline.com/9-5-9650/2010/2-engine/engine-management-and-fuel-system-4-cyl
What causes P0313 on a Saab?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0313 page, these are the patterns noted for Saab models:
Tank at or below the 5 litre enable level
: Saab 9-3
Worn plugs or a mixture fault that also misfires at higher fuel levels
: Saab 9-3
Tank run nearly empty
: Saab 9-5
Air in the diesel fuel system after running low
: Saab 9-5
How to diagnose P0313 on a Saab with OBD2
- Think back to when the light came on. If the fuel gauge was near empty, put in enough fuel to be well clear of the reserve, clear the code with a reader and drive normally for a few days
- If the engine shook or hesitated when it happened, do not assume the low tank was the whole story. Note whether the light flashed, because a flashing light means the misfire is severe enough to risk the catalytic converter
- If the code comes back with the tank more than a quarter full, read all stored codes and the freeze frame. Cylinder codes in the P0301 to P0312 range, P0300 or fuel trim codes point to the real fault. A generic reader shows these, and the fuel level reading if the car reports it
- Check the spark plugs and ignition coils. Swap a suspect coil to another cylinder and see whether the misfire code follows it
- A fuel pump that is starting to fail can cope with a full tank and struggle on a low one. Have fuel pressure measured under load and check the fuel filter if the car has a serviceable one
- On a diesel that ran dry, air can sit in the fuel lines. Check the manual for the priming or bleeding procedure and replace the fuel filter if it is overdue
- If everything else checks out, smoke-test the intake for vacuum leaks and run a compression test. A generic reader cannot show per-injector data or test the fuel pump under load
How much does P0313 cost to fix on a Saab? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs for P0313 in EUR, compiled across makes. Saab costs typically sit in the middle of each range.
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refuel and clear the code | €0–€0 | €0–€0 | €0–€0 | Easy |
| Replace spark plugs (full set) | €20–€80 | €40–€150 | €60–€230 | Easy |
| Replace ignition coil(s) | €30–€200 | €40–€120 | €70–€320 | Moderate |
| Replace fuel filter | €15–€60 | €30–€100 | €45–€160 | Moderate |
| Replace in-tank fuel pump | €80–€250 | €100–€300 | €180–€550 | Professional |
| Fix vacuum leak | €10–€80 | €60–€200 | €70–€280 | Moderate |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Codes related to P0313
These codes are often seen alongside P0313 or point to related issues, on any make:
Looking for the full P0313 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)? See the main P0313 guide