Code P0171 - System Too Lean

The OBDII trouble code P0171 - System Too Lean (Bank 1) means that the engine air-fuel mixture is too lean, or
there is too much air and too little fuel. Driving a car with the code P0171 can cause more damage to your
vehicle over time, as when the engine runs lean, the combustion temperature is much higher.
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnostic
What is a vacuum or intake leak?
Common problems causing the code P0171
Basic car knowlege: how the air/fuel ratio is adjusted
Long and Short fuel trims
What do terms "Bank 1" and "Bank 2" mean?

Symptoms:
Typical symptoms of the lean air fuel mixture include:
- Lack of power
- Rough idle
- Hissing noise from the engine (vacuum leaks)
- Stalling
- Difficulty starting
- Engine knock or detonation (pinging) under load
- Engine running hot

Causes:
Common causes include:
- Intake or vacuum leaks
- Clogged or faulty Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF)
- Faulty PCV valve
- Stuck open purge valve/solenoid
- Faulty oxygen sensor
- Improperly installed aftermarket cold intake
- Low fuel pressure
- Clogged catalytic converter

How the code P0171 is diagnosed:

With a good scan tool that shows the live data diagnosing the code P0171 is fairly easy. Without a scan tool, the
only way to find the problem is to check the basics and research common problems with your particular car
make, year and model. We have done some research and posted common problems for some cars, read further.
The best place to take your car for diagnostics is your local dealer - their technicians are factory-trained and
know the common problems with the cars they service.
Basic checks under the hood include: is the air filter box properly closed? Does the intake boot have any cracks?
Are any of the vacuum lines or hoses disconnected?
If you have a scan tool, check the Short Term Fuel Trim (STFT) and Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) readings at idle
and at higher rpms (Read more about fuel trims below). Normally, both the LTFT and STFT should be close to
zero. If the STFT rises higher than 15-20% at idle and drops at higher rpms, most likely you have a vacuum leak.
If the STFT is close to zero at idle, but elevates to 15-20% at higher rpms, the problem could be caused a faulty
mass air flow sensor, clogged catalytic converter or low fuel pressure. Read more about using a scan tool here.

What is Intake or Vacuum leak?

An air leak anywhere betwen the engine intake and the air filter is usually called vacuum or Intake leak. Common
examples of intake leaks include ripped or cracked intake boot, leaking intake manifold gaskets, stuck-open or
defective PCV valve or ripped PCV hose, cracked or disconnected vacuum line. In a more technical jargon,
vacuum or intake leaks are called "unmetered air", as the air enters the intake system through a damage intake
boot or other leak is not metered by the mass air flow sensor and therefore the the engine computer cannot
calculate the amount of fuel injected properly, causing the engine to run "lean". Here are few examples of intake
or vacuum leaks:

Common problems causing the code P0171 in different cars:

One way to find a common problem with your make and model is to search for technical service bulletins (TSBs).
For example, the Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) EG045-07 for the 2003-08
ToyotaCorolla and Matrix with the 1ZZFE engine mentions a leaking intake manifold gaskets in subfreezing
temperature as a possible reason for the code P0171 along with some other codes. If the leaking manifold
gasket is confirmed following the diagnostics steps, it must be replaced.
Many Ford vehicles, including Explorer and F150 had a common problem with leaking gaskets between upper
and lower intake manifolds causing the codes P0171 and P0174. Ford has issued a technical service bulletin on
this issue. Another known issue in Ford vehicles is a vacuum leak from a ripped-through rubber elbow on one of
the vacuum lines at the back of the intake manifold. Some V6 Mazda vehicles (Tribute, MPV) also have this
issue where the rubber elbow at the back of the intake manifold rips through, causing a vacuum leak and the
code P0171.
A cracked or ripped intake boot is very common reason for the code P0171 in many BMW vehicles.