Cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry and resistivity measurements during heating. Both techniques yield two peaks, one at 500-600 K, the other at 400-450 K. Whereas the peak at 500-600 K can be ascribed to voids consisting of about 10 vacancies as confirmed by positron annihilation spectroscopy, the low-temperature peak is ascribed to V1C2 and/or V2C4 complexes. © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.