Süüteajastus

Süüteajastus refers to the precise moment during an internal combustion engine's cycle when the spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture. This timing is crucial for optimal engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions control. The ideal ignition timing varies depending on engine speed, load, and temperature.

In gasoline engines, the spark plug creates an electrical arc that ignites the compressed mixture in the combustion chamber. If the spark occurs too early (advanced timing), the pressure from the combustion can push against the piston while it's still rising, leading to knocking or pinging sounds and potential engine damage. If the spark occurs too late (retarded timing), the combustion process is incomplete, resulting in reduced power and increased fuel consumption.

Modern engines use electronic control units (ECUs) to continuously monitor engine parameters and adjust the ignition timing automatically. Sensors such as the crankshaft position sensor, camshaft position sensor, and mass airflow sensor provide data to the ECU, which then precisely controls the ignition timing through the ignition module. Older engines used mechanical distributors with vacuum and centrifugal advance mechanisms to adjust timing, but these are less precise than modern electronic systems.

The optimal ignition timing is determined through extensive testing and calibration to achieve the best balance between power, efficiency, and emissions across the engine's operating range. Deviations from the optimal timing can lead to a noticeable decrease in performance and potentially cause mechanical issues.