P0113 Code: IAT Sensor - Meaning, Causes, Symptoms & How to Fix

Code P0113 indicates a problem with the air intake temperature sensor. The 1 in P0113 indicates an issue with the air/fuel mixture, which can cause your car to burn more gas than it should. The P0113 is not considered a big issue, but it rarely appears alone. More serious issues such as misfires are often happening at the same time.

Not all vehicles have air intake temperature sensors. They are more common on forced induction or turbocharged engines. On these engines, a compressor pump forces more air into the engine. With more air, more fuel can be injected which results in a bigger explosion and more power. Turbocharged engines electronically control this compressor so it can selectively increase engine power only when needed like when going up a hill, accelerating onto the interstate, or passing a slower vehicle. Other times when the power is not needed, the engine can dial back it's power and save gas. The idea is that by dynamically increasing or decreasing engine power, the vehicle can save a lot of fuel over a larger, naturally aspirated engine.

Compressing air increases its temperature, and higher temperature air takes up more volume. This reduces the effectiveness of forced induction. Car makers use intercoolers to lower air intake temperatures, and it works like a radiator. The turbocharger blows intake air through the intercooler after compressing it.

Intake temperature sensors allow the vehicle's computer to monitor the effectiveness of the turbocharger, intercooler, and power output. And these sensor are very important especially on turbocharged engines. Ford has invested heavily into their Ecoboost line of small, turbocharged engines. Toyota has followed suit along with Chevrolet with their turbocharged four-cylinder Silverado and Canyon pickup trucks.

Resistance to electrical current changes with temperature. Different materials conduct electrical current at different rates. Copper is a good conductor, and that's why many electrical wires are made of copper. As the temperature of the conductor rises, it's resistance to electrical current drops. By measuring the resistance to current, the air intake temperature sensor can measure even minute changes in temperature.

This sensor is concerned with rises in air intake temperature. Lower air intake temperatures are a good thing because air is more dense at lower temperatures. Engines like dense air. As the air gets hotter, it expands and less of it can go into the cylinders. Therefore, it's important to keep air intake temperatures low.

Usually they are built into the mass airflow sensor, and replacing it may requiring replace that part as well. Sometimes they are a stand-alone sensor in the air intake housing.

Since P0113 is related to air intake, problems will affect air/fuel ratio which can lead to the following.

It's fine to keep driving your car with this code, but you should investigate the problem. As with all of these engine codes, they are makers for potential mechanical failures. They indicate that something is not as it should be in your engine. Investigate the underlying cause because it could lead to more serious codes.