A firing order refers to the specific sequence in which spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the engine’s cylinders. In a 4-cylinder engine, this sequence is carefully engineered to balance engine forces, minimize vibration, and maintain consistent power delivery.
This guide explains how 4-cylinder firing orders work, why they matter, and provides a complete firing order chart in table format covering most popular automotive, truck, and small engine applications.
4 Cylinder Engine Firing Order Chart
Toyota 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine Code | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2AZ-FE | Camry, RAV4, Scion tC | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 22R / 22RE | Pickup, 4Runner | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 3RZ-FE | Tacoma, Hilux | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 1ZZ-FE | Corolla, Matrix | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2TR-FE | Hilux, Fortuner | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 3S-GE | Celica, MR2 | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Honda 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine Series | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-Series (K20, K24) | Accord, Civic Si, CR-V | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| B-Series | Civic, Integra | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| D-Series | Civic, City | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| R-Series | Accord, CR-V | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| L-Series | Fit, Jazz | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Related Engine VIN Number Decoding Chart(For All Vehicle Brands)
Ford 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L Lima | Ranger, Mustang | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.0L EcoBoost | Escape, Fusion | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.3L EcoBoost | Mustang, Explorer | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.5L Duratec | Fusion, Escape | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 1.6L EcoBoost | Fiesta, Focus | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Chevrolet / GMC 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L Iron Duke | S10, Camaro | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.2L Ecotec | Cavalier, Malibu | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.4L Ecotec | Equinox, Terrain | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.0L Turbo Ecotec | Camaro, ATS | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.7L Turbo | Silverado, Colorado | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Related Engine Oil Consumption Calculator
Nissan 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine Code | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA24DE | Altima, Frontier | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| QR25DE | Altima, Rogue | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| SR20DE / DET | Sentra, Silvia | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| MR20DE | Sentra, X-Trail | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| GA16DE | Sentra, NX | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Hyundai 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine Series | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theta II 2.0 / 2.4 | Sonata, Santa Fe | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Gamma 1.6 | Elantra, Accent | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Nu 2.0 | Elantra, Tucson | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Smartstream 2.5 | Sonata, Santa Cruz | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Kia 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L MPI | Forte, Soul | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.4L GDI | Sorento, Optima | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 1.6L Turbo | Sportage, Forte GT | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.5L Smartstream | K5, Sorento | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Related Shell Rotella Oil Filter Chart(All Rotella Filters)
Volkswagen / Audi 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L TSI | Golf, Passat, Tiguan | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 1.8T | Jetta, A4 | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| EA888 Gen 3 | GTI, A3 | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 1.4 TSI | Polo, Golf | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.5L 5-cylinder variant (inline-4 setups) | Various | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
BMW 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| N20 | 328i, X3 | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| B48 | 330i, X1 | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| M10 | Classic BMW | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| N13 | 116i, 118i | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Subaru 4-Cylinder (Boxer) Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| EJ20 | Impreza, WRX | Flat-4 | 1-3-2-4 |
| EJ25 | Forester, Outback | Flat-4 | 1-3-2-4 |
| FB20 | Impreza, XV | Flat-4 | 1-3-2-4 |
| FA24 | WRX | Flat-4 | 1-3-2-4 |
Related Engine Cylinder Honing Oil(Top 5 BEST Picks 2026)
Mitsubishi 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order
| Engine | Common Models | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G63 | Lancer, Eclipse | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 4B11 | Lancer, Outlander | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 4D56 (Diesel) | Pajero, Triton | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| 4G15 | Colt, Mirage | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Industrial, Tractor, and Small Engine 4-Cylinder Firing Order
| Manufacturer | Engine | Application | Configuration | Firing Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Deere | Gas 4-Cylinder | Tractors | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Kubota | V2403 | Industrial | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Perkins | 404D | Diesel | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Briggs & Stratton | Vanguard 4-cyl | Utility | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Yanmar | 4TNV | Diesel | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
| Kohler | KDI / Command | Industrial / Generator | Inline-4 | 1-3-4-2 |
Related 4 Cycle Engine Oil(Top 5 Best Oil 2026)
What Is a 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Order?
The firing order refers to the sequence in which the cylinders fire during the four-stroke combustion cycle: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Each cylinder must fire once every two crankshaft revolutions (720 degrees).
In most inline 4-cylinder engines, the cylinders are numbered from the front of the engine (timing belt or chain side) to the rear:
- Cylinder 1 – Front
- Cylinder 4 – Rear
The firing order ensures:
- Even crankshaft rotation
- Reduced vibration
- Balanced power output
- Lower stress on engine components
Why Firing Order Matters
Incorrect firing order can cause:
- Rough idle
- Engine misfires
- Backfiring
- Loss of power
- Poor fuel economy
- Potential engine damage
When replacing spark plug wires, installing a distributor, or diagnosing ignition issues, confirming the firing order is one of the first and most important steps.
Related Motorcycle Oil Capacity(For All Brands + Models)
Common 4-Cylinder Engine Firing Orders
Most modern inline 4-cylinder engines use one of two firing orders:
- 1-3-4-2
- 1-2-4-3
These patterns are chosen to reduce crankshaft torsional vibration and improve engine smoothness.
Inline-4 vs Flat-4 Firing Orders
Most vehicles use inline-4 engines, which almost universally follow the 1-3-4-2 firing order. This layout provides excellent balance for a compact engine design.
Flat-4 (boxer) engines, such as those used by Subaru, are different. Their horizontally opposed cylinder layout results in a different firing order, commonly 1-3-2-4, to balance opposing piston movement.
How to Identify Cylinder 1
Before applying a firing order, you must correctly identify cylinder 1:
- Usually closest to the timing belt or chain
- Often marked on the engine block or valve cover
- Referenced in service manuals
- On transverse engines, cylinder 1 is typically closest to the drive belts
Incorrect cylinder numbering can lead to incorrect ignition timing, even if the firing order itself is correct.
Distributor and Coil-On-Plug Systems
Older 4-cylinder engines use a distributor, which requires spark plug wires to be connected in the correct firing order around the distributor cap.
Modern engines use coil-on-plug (COP) or coil-pack systems, where firing order is controlled electronically by the ECU. Even in these systems, understanding firing order helps when diagnosing misfires or coil failures.
Symptoms of Incorrect Firing Order
If the firing order is wrong, you may notice:
- Engine shaking at idle
- Hesitation during acceleration
- Popping sounds from the intake or exhaust
- Check engine light with misfire codes
- Poor throttle response
Correcting the firing order often resolves these issues immediately.
FAQs
What is the firing order of a 4-cylinder engine?
The firing order of a 4-cylinder engine is the specific sequence in which each cylinder ignites the air-fuel mixture. For most inline-4 engines, the firing order is 1-3-4-2, which provides balanced crankshaft rotation and smooth engine operation. Some flat-4 (boxer) engines, like those used by Subaru, use a 1-3-2-4 firing order to account for their opposed piston layout. The firing order ensures that power strokes are evenly spaced over the crankshaft rotation, reducing vibration and improving engine performance.
Which cylinder is number 1 on a 4 cylinder?
Cylinder number 1 is typically located at the front of the engine, closest to the timing belt, timing chain, or accessory drive. For transverse-mounted engines, it is usually the side closest to the radiator, while for longitudinal engines, it is the end closest to the front of the vehicle. Engine service manuals and cylinder head markings will also indicate cylinder 1. Correctly identifying cylinder 1 is essential before applying the firing order, as misidentifying it can lead to ignition timing errors or misfiring.
What causes misfires in a 4-cylinder engine?
Misfires occur when one or more cylinders fail to ignite properly during the combustion cycle. Common causes include:
- Faulty spark plugs or worn ignition wires
- Malfunctioning ignition coils or coil packs
- Clogged fuel injectors or poor fuel delivery
- Vacuum leaks or intake manifold leaks
- Incorrect firing order or improperly connected spark plug wires
- Low compression due to worn piston rings or valves
A misfire can cause rough idling, poor fuel economy, engine shaking, and trigger the check engine light.
What is the running mate of a 4-cylinder engine?
The “running mate” of a 4-cylinder engine refers to the cylinder that fires 180 degrees after another cylinder on the crankshaft, helping balance the engine and reduce vibrations. In a 1-3-4-2 firing order, the running mates are:
- Cylinder 1 → Cylinder 3
- Cylinder 3 → Cylinder 4
- Cylinder 4 → Cylinder 2
- Cylinder 2 → Cylinder 1
This alternating firing sequence distributes power strokes evenly, ensuring smooth crankshaft rotation and minimizing torsional stress.
What happens with an incorrect firing order?
An incorrect firing order can cause serious engine problems, including:
- Engine misfires and rough idle
- Backfiring or popping sounds from the intake/exhaust
- Loss of engine power and poor acceleration
- Increased vibration and stress on engine components
- Potential long-term damage to pistons, valves, and the crankshaft
Even if spark plugs are connected, reversing or altering the firing order can prevent the engine from running properly or starting at all.
How to calculate engine firing order?
To calculate or determine the firing order of an engine:
- Identify cylinder numbering – Locate cylinder 1 and number all cylinders according to manufacturer specifications.
- Check engine configuration – Determine if it is an inline-4, V4, flat-4, or other layout.
- Understand crankshaft rotation – Most engines rotate clockwise from the front; some rotate counterclockwise.
- Refer to manufacturer data – Firing order is usually listed in the service manual.
- Use alternating patterns – Inline-4 engines typically fire in a 1-3-4-2 sequence to balance engine forces. For flat-4 engines, the sequence may be 1-3-2-4 to accommodate opposing pistons.
Final Thoughts
The firing order of a 4-cylinder engine plays a critical role in performance, reliability, and drivability. While most inline-4 engines use the 1-3-4-2 firing order, exceptions exist, especially with flat-4 engines.
Using a reliable firing order chart ensures:
- Accurate spark plug wire installation
- Proper ignition timing
- Faster troubleshooting
- Reduced risk of engine damage
