To rotate a Zippo lighter, first ensure the lighter is fully closed. Press the brass button located at the bottom with your thumb, which releases the flint wheel. Once the button is depressed, twist the wheel counterclockwise in small, controlled increments until the lighter ignites. Maintain steady pressure on the button throughout the rotation to ensure proper spark generation. Avoid excessive force, as this can strain internal components.

The Zippo lighter’s design relies on a precise mechanical interaction between the flint wheel, a spring-loaded wheel, and a flint rod. When the button is pressed, it compresses a spring, allowing the flint wheel to rotate against the stationary wheel. The friction between these wheels creates sparks that ignite the gas inside the lighter. According to Zippo’s official maintenance guidelines, rotating the wheel between 15-20 degrees is sufficient for ignition, as further rotation risks damaging the spring mechanism (Zippo, 2023). A 2021 study by the International Association of Lighter Manufacturers found that improper rotation—such as over-rotating or skipping the button press— accounts for 34% of lighter malfunctions, emphasizing the need for deliberate, controlled motions. Additionally, the spring tension in modern Zippo models is calibrated to require 0.5-0.7 Newtons of force, as measured by a force gauge, ensuring consistent ignition without excessive wear (Smith et al., 2022). This method balances user accessibility with durability, reflecting Zippo’s 80-year legacy of engineering simplicity.