ignition timing
When cylinders fire
Ignition timing is when the spark plug fires relative to the piston's position in an engine cylinder.
Proper timing ensures the air-fuel mixture ignites at the optimal moment for maximum power and efficiency.
If timing is too early (advanced) or too late (retarded), the engine loses power, runs rough, or suffers damage.
Mechanics adjust ignition timing during tune-ups: The knocking stopped after we retarded the ignition timing a few degrees.
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
- knockStrike-produced sound
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
oscilloscope · stroboscope · combustion · retard · vacuum gauge · distributor · camshaft · ping · advance · engine tuning · cylinder · flywheel · engine · tune-up · check engine · fuel injection · tachometer · RPM
- gasoline enginesgasoline engine, four-stroke engine, spark plug, piston, cylinder
- engine specshorsepower, torque, displacement, RPM, compression ratio
- Engine Managementfuel injection, throttle, fuel injector, spark plugs, engine tuning
- precision timingsynchronization, rhythm, tempo, countdown, beat
- ignition partsspark plug, distributor, distributor cap, spark plug wire, rotor
ignition timingfuel mixture
Combustible substance combination
valve timing · carburetion · compression ratio · air intake · idle speed