Measurements are reported on the main factors and mechanisms of heat and mass transfer controlling the ignition of mixtures of fuel vapors (gasoline Super 95) and oxidant (air) by a metal core (heated at temperatures higher than 1300 K) taking advantage of using cross-correlation recording and measuring system including optical method of tracer visualization. The ignition delay time was measured for different core temperatures and gas gap between heat source and liquid fuel surface which evaporates at moderate temperatures (about 300 K). A physical model of the process was formulated and predictive mathematical model elaborated on the basis of experimental results. A good agreement between numerical and experimental results is obtained. The modes of air vapor mixtures ignition for liquid fuels by local heating are established from the developed mathematical model of heat and mass transfer. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.