DEPOSIT-induced ignition (the erratic ignition of the fuel-air mixture by combustion chamber deposits) is one of the problems hindering the development of higher compression, more efficient engines. Deposit-induced ignition results in uncontrolled combustion, which often is followed by knock. In some modern engines, the suppression of knock originating through this mechanism may require higher fuel antiknock quality than that required to suppress ordinary knock.
Fuel composition and volatility have been found to affect the amount of deposit ignition. Reduction in fuel end point reduces deposit ignition. Among individual leaded hydrocarbons, aromatics produce by far the most deposit ignition, but the differences among full-boiling gasoline stocks of similar volatility do not appear to be related to their hydrocarbon-type proportions. Engine operating conditions favorable to carbon formation tend to increase deposit ignition and magnify differences among fuels.
Both the characteristics and the amount of lubricating oil which enters the combustion chamber have a marked influence on deposit ignition. One factor which contributes to differences among oils is volatilty; lower-boiling oils reduce deposit ignition.