Cylinder 10 Misfire Detected
Cylinder 10 isn't firing properly, causing incomplete combustion—like one cylinder in your engine repeatedly misfiring while others work fine. The ECU detects this imbalance and triggers the warning light.
The ECU monitors crankshaft speed variation using the crankshaft position sensor to detect when a cylinder fails to fire. It compares ignition timing, fuel injector pulse, and combustion pressure signatures against baseline thresholds. A misfire occurs when crankshaft acceleration drops abnormally for that specific cylinder.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Fault Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft acceleration variance per cylinder | Within ±2% of baseline | Exceeds ±5% deviation for Cylinder 10 |
| Misfire count threshold | 0-2 misfires per 1000 revolutions | ≥3-5 consecutive misfires detected |
Code P0311 is a moderate fault. You can generally drive to a workshop, but avoid long trips or high-load driving (motorway, uphill towing) until it is diagnosed. If the code keeps returning after clearing, or if you notice the symptoms listed above worsening, do not delay professional diagnosis. Many moderate codes have multiple possible root causes — a mechanic with live OBD data can identify the exact fault more efficiently than part-by-part trial and error.
Once the fault is repaired, P0311 can be cleared using any OBD-II scanner. Connect the scanner, navigate to "Clear Codes" or "Erase DTCs," and confirm. The check engine light turns off immediately.
The code will return if the root cause was not actually fixed. The ECM re-detects the fault within 1–3 drive cycles and sets the code again.