What is the ignition timing advance angle for a car?

[DiMariana]

Car ignition timing advance angle varies depending on engine conditions: 1. The ignition advance angle for gasoline engines is approximately 10 degrees; 2. The ignition advance angle for diesel engines is around 15 degrees. The ignition advance angle refers to the crankshaft rotation angle from the moment the spark jumps between the spark plug electrodes until the piston reaches top dead center. The effects of excessive ignition timing advance are: 1. Combustion occurs entirely during the compression stroke, causing a sharp rise in cylinder pressure; 2. High pressure is reached before the piston reaches top dead center, creating significant resistance for the ascending piston; 3. Engine power decreases, leading to knocking.

[VonMiles]

Hey, you might be curious about how many degrees the ignition timing advance angle of a car actually is. As an experienced car enthusiast who loves tinkering with vehicles, I have to be honest—there's no fixed number because it automatically adjusts based on engine speed, load, and temperature. At idle, it's usually around 10 to 15 degrees BTDC (Before Top Dead Center). When you step on the gas to accelerate, the ECU adjusts it to advance to over 20 degrees or even 30 degrees for more efficient combustion. Why is this done? Igniting too early can cause knocking and damage the engine, while igniting too late wastes fuel, so the factory settings must be precise. To check it, just use a timing light to observe the mark on the crankshaft pulley. On older cars, you can even manually fine-tune it by about 5 degrees to optimize performance. In short, this affects both power and fuel efficiency—don’t mess with it randomly to avoid costly repairs. During regular maintenance, it’s always a good idea to have a technician take a quick look.

[BentleyRose]

I find ignition timing advance angle super fascinating. As a car modification enthusiast, I often tinker with old-school engines. Generally, the value fluctuates between 10 to 30 degrees - keep it conservative at idle, setting around 12 degrees for smooth operation, while advancing it beyond 25 degrees during high-speed driving to boost explosive power. Different engines have variations too; turbocharged ones, for example, ignite earlier to control turbo lag. When making adjustments, first check the manual for the base value, then use a timing light to calibrate the marks. Don't exceed the recommended range, or you might cause overheating or excessive emissions. I've also noticed fuel quality and temperature affect it - slightly advance the timing in cold weather for quicker starts. While having fun with cars, safety comes first. Don't mess around blindly and cause issues; get a professional to help optimize it. After tuning, the car accelerates more briskly with better fuel efficiency. Remember, modern cars with automatic adjustments are more hassle-free.

[OColeman]

As an ordinary person who drives frequently, I don't understand the details of ignition timing advance angle, but I know it's roughly around 10 degrees or so. During daily driving, the computer automatically manages this angle, starting from around 10 degrees at idle and increasing up to 30 degrees as speed increases to improve efficiency. Why is it important? The correct angle ensures smooth engine operation, reducing noise and fuel consumption. If you feel the car shaking or lacking power during acceleration, it might be an ignition issue. In such cases, avoid disassembling parts yourself and instead recommend visiting a repair shop to check the sensors or ECU. Simply put, it's like the engine's timer—fine-tuned for a better driving experience. Older cars could be adjusted manually, but modern designs mostly eliminate the need to worry about this.