Advanced timing: If the ignition timing on a car is advanced (to a certain degree), slightly more power is made because the air/fuel mixture is given time to fully combust and to allow the plug spark to travel. When the air/fuel mixture completes combustion, there is enough power created to slam the piston downward.

Over-advanced timing: If an improper grade of fuel is used combined with an over-advanced timing setting, the effects of detonation can damage the engine. Detonation is when the air/fuel mixture combusts too early or too quickly during the compression stroke. The flame front collides with the upward-stroking piston. Pressure in the cylinder becomes increasingly high. Temperature rises to extremely dangerous levels. This results in engine damage.