Piston Rings

Piston rings are thin metal rings that fit into grooves on the outside of the piston. They might be small, but they do big work. Their main job is to keep the combustion chamber sealed, so when fuel explodes, it pushes the piston down without leaking pressure. At the same time, piston rings also keep engine oil from slipping up into the combustion area, where it would burn and cause smoke or buildup.

There are usually three piston rings per piston: two for compression and one for oil control. If the rings wear out or break, you might see symptoms like low compression, poor acceleration, or blue smoke from the exhaust. Replacing piston rings is labor-intensive—it requires taking the engine apart—but they’re essential for keeping your car running clean and strong. Fun fact: race engines sometimes use specially coated piston rings for reduced friction and improved performance.