What is Ignition Advance Angle?
2 Answers
Ignition advance angle is specifically explained as follows: Ignition advance refers to the spark plug firing before the engine piston reaches the compression top dead center. The angle through which the crankshaft rotates from the moment the spark plug fires until the piston reaches the compression top dead center is called the ignition advance angle. Extension: Since it takes a certain amount of time for the flame to propagate from the spark plug firing until the combustible mixture in the cylinder is completely burned, and the engine operates at very high speeds, if ignition starts exactly when the piston reaches the top dead center, by the time the combustible mixture begins to burn completely, the piston will inevitably have already started moving downward. This would result in a loss of gas thrust and ultimately lead to a decrease in engine power.
I've always thought that the ignition timing is super critical in an engine. Simply put, it's the angle at which the spark plug fires before the piston reaches the top dead center. Firing too early can cause engine knocking, like a pinging sound, which can destroy the engine; firing too late makes the car sluggish and wastes fuel. Modern cars have computers that automatically adjust the ignition timing based on RPM and load, making it worry-free. But in older cars, this needs to be manually adjusted via the distributor. I once drove a classic car with incorrect ignition timing, and the acceleration was terribly weak—after fixing it, the car ran much smoother. Regular maintenance, like checking the spark plugs and sensors, can prevent ignition issues. Improper ignition timing can also affect emissions, so it's especially important to pay attention in less eco-friendly vehicles.