What is the ignition advance angle?

[DanielLee]

The ignition advance angle is between 6 to 12 degrees. It refers to the crankshaft's rotation angle from the moment the spark plug fires (before the engine piston reaches the compression top dead center) until the piston reaches the compression top dead center. The ignition advance angle system consists of a microcomputer, various sensors, and an ignition actuator. The adjustment method for the ignition advance angle is: 1. Check if the platinum contacts show signs of burning; 2. Remove the secondary chamber vacuum hose from the vacuum advance compensation device, block the two ports connected to the hose, and let the engine idle; 3. Use a timing light to check the ignition advance angle; 4. Rotating the distributor housing counterclockwise will increase the ignition advance angle; 5. Rotating the distributor housing clockwise will decrease the ignition advance angle.

[StRebecca]

I've seen many car enthusiasts confused about ignition timing. Simply put, it refers to the timing angle when the spark plug ignites in the engine. It indicates the angular value at which the spark ignites the fuel mixture just before the piston reaches top dead center during compression. If ignition occurs too early, the fuel may overburn, causing engine knock and damaging components. If too late, the power output becomes weak like an old ox pulling a cart - fuel-consuming yet underpowered. Adjusting this angle requires balancing factors like engine speed, load, and temperature. If you hear loud knocking sounds or experience sluggish acceleration during normal driving, it might indicate the timing is off by about ten degrees from the ideal value. Regular checks with a diagnostic tool are recommended to avoid costly repairs. Modern vehicles use ECU smart control for automatic adjustment, making it more convenient, but for older cars, manual fine-tuning remains a crucial detail.

[KaiRose]

As someone who frequently tinkers with engine modifications, ignition timing is like a secret weapon for tuning race cars to me. It directly impacts combustion efficiency: setting it appropriately allows fuel to burn more completely, delivering stronger bursts of power while saving fuel. The baseline value typically ranges between 10 to 30 degrees depending on engine design. When manually adjusting, specialized tools must be used alongside crankshaft angle detection to avoid excessive errors. I once tried advancing the timing by a few degrees—the car sped up noticeably, but the engine started pinging, indicating knock, so I quickly dialed it back to stabilize. Nowadays, electronic systems handle adaptive changes more simply.

[OAndres]

The ignition advance angle is the amount of degrees the spark plug fires before the engine piston reaches top dead center, a core parameter controlling combustion timing. Too large an angle can cause knocking, while too small results in insufficient power. The common value is around 20 degrees. My own car once had an angle deviation that caused severe idle vibration. When I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic confirmed it was a setting issue and fixed it in half an hour—solving the problem with minimal cost. I recommend car owners, especially those with older or modified exhaust vehicles, to check this regularly to prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.