{"id":99721,"date":"2024-01-13T08:30:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T16:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=99721"},"modified":"2024-02-27T00:53:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T08:53:36","slug":"how-piston-design-affects-combustion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-piston-design-affects-combustion\/","title":{"rendered":"How Piston Design Affects Combustion"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 5<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_923146-6e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_923146-6e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_923146-6e qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-53bea4  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-db0d95\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_64d584-73\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_64d584-73\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_64d584-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_64d584-73\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading_64d584-73 summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_64d584-73\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Pistons convert energy created during combustion by sliding up and down inside the engine&rsquo;s cylinders and turning the crankshaft.<\/li><li>Because of the stress placed on these pistons, manufacturers have designed a variety of piston shapes to cope with different problems. Piston shapes include elliptical, tapered, barrel-shaped skirts, and offset.<\/li><li>Overall, pistons continue to evolve to keep up with engine developments.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The terms &ldquo;four-cylinder&rdquo; and &ldquo;six-cylinder&rdquo; are rather common in the automotive space, but what do they mean? The &ldquo;cylinder&rdquo; is actually the space in which a piston travels (a tube that is part of the engine block), and the number of cylinders in an engine corresponds to the number of pistons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram-978x1024.jpg\" alt=\"diagram of a car piston\" class=\"wp-image-102525\" width=\"978\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram-978x1024.jpg 978w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram-287x300.jpg 287w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram-768x804.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram-150x157.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-piston-diagram.jpg 1433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px\"><figcaption>Diagram showing piston, wrist pin, oil control ring, connecting rod, bearing, and rod cap | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Each piston travels up and down in its own cylinder and a wrist pin travels through the piston through the top of a very strong I-beam connecting rod that is at the other end clamped (with a lubricated bearing) to one of the throws on the crankshaft, which is connected to the drivetrain where gears multiply the engine&rsquo;s torque as the vehicle is driven. As the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/piston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"pistons\">pistons<\/a> repeat their four stroke cycle, one of the four strokes in each piston&rsquo;s cycle uses the energy created during combustion to spin the crankshaft. Every cylinder handles an equal part of the job when it comes to driving the crank. The more cylinders an engine has, the smoother the power transfer from the pistons to the crank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The more cylinders an engine has, the smoother the power transfer from the pistons to the crank.<\/p><cite>&ndash;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The design and shape of pistons have evolved over the years, and this has definitely affected the combustion process. But how?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do Pistons Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we answer that, it&rsquo;s important to know how pistons work. As an engine runs, pistons move up and down in each cylinder, triggered by the combustion in the combustion chamber above each piston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram-1024x411.jpg\" alt=\"diagram of a four stroke cycle piston\" class=\"wp-image-102526\" width=\"1024\" height=\"411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram-1024x411.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram-768x308.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram-150x60.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/four-stroke-cycle-diagram.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>This diagram follows the four-stroke cycle of a single piston with the engine shown spinning the crankshaft clockwise, which is the direction a linear engine (like on a pickup truck) spins when you&rsquo;re standing in front of the vehicle looking at it. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon reaching each &ldquo;dead center&rdquo; point, each piston stops, reverses direction and then accelerates suddenly. Just before top dead center on the compression stroke, the spark plug is timed to fire, beginning the process where the hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen in the air unite, creating tremendous heat. Most of the air in the cylinder happens to be nitrogen, which is inert, but is superheated by the combustion event and expands, pushing the piston down against the crankshaft journal connected to that piston via the rod and its bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The piston&rsquo;s head or crown takes the brunt of the initial force and pressure once the combustion process begins. Thanks to the constant and quick directional changes, the piston pin areas are also under a lot of force. Thermal expansion also happens because of all the heat that gets transferred from the piston&rsquo;s head to its body, and the piston pin area in particular gets affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Piston Shapes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pistons come in a variety of shapes and designs to deal with all of the pressure placed on them in the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elliptical<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pistons that take on an elliptical shape (also called cam ground pistons) are better at conforming to the changing dimensions of the cylinder bore. These oval-shaped pistons start off elliptical when cold and turn more circular as the engine reaches operating temperature. This improves the seal around the piston and increases combustion efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tapered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The head shapes of tapered pistons have a small diameter that widens down the pistons&rsquo; bodies. This tapered shape is meant to compensate for thermal growth and expansion. The amount of heat applied to the piston head can sometimes cause it to expand. The piston&rsquo;s tapered design allows it to move freely in the cylinder despite this change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrel-Shaped Skirt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The barrel-shaped piston skirts allow for a smoother transition as the pistons change directions. Each piston rolls into the cylinder wall at the end of a stroke, right when it switches directions. This piston shape helps reduce noise and side loading on the piston skirt while also spreading the force of the directional change over a larger surface area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offset<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are piston designs where the piston pin is offset from the center of the piston. As a matter of fact, just about all pistons are built this way. This is why pistons have a notch and arrow, or an &ldquo;F&rdquo; for &ldquo;front&rdquo; cast or cut into the piston so the builder won&rsquo;t put the pistons in backward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This design makes pistons quieter by reducing piston wobble. If you put the pistons in backward, you&rsquo;ll get an engine knock. The offset wrist\/piston pin allows the piston to move in a true linear fashion in the cylinder bore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Evolution and Effects of Piston Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pistons have evolved alongside engines over the years, becoming shorter and lighter with smaller skirts. Many are now made from aluminum alloys with more silicon, making them more heat resistant and less prone to thermal expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"illustration of a car combustion chamber\" class=\"wp-image-102529\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/combustion-chamber-illustration-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Increased block deck height expands combustion chamber volume | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"illustration of an automotive domed dish piston\" class=\"wp-image-102530\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/domed-dish-piston-illustration.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Domed dish piston | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/p0310-code-cylinder-10-misfire-detected\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194\"><style> .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194:active, .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194 .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u212e556e4b15a874eb1e56654e397194:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">P0310 Code: Cylinder #10 Misfire Detected<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_1187a1-13{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_1187a1-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_1187a1-13 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:32px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}#kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone pro-tip-wrap\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-layout-id_311fd8-1b\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-gutter-none kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-right-golden  kt-custom-first-width-10  kt-custom-second-width-90\"><style>.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column_44e8ed-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_44e8ed-2a kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image_e48cc4-ed.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image_e48cc4-ed .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_e48cc4-ed.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_e48cc4-ed .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image_e48cc4-ed figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image_e48cc4-ed .image-is-svg, .kb-image_e48cc4-ed .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image_e48cc4-ed .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image_e48cc4-ed\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_36728a-5b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_36728a-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-2 kadence-column_36728a-5b pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Many pistons are coated with graphite above each skirt to reduce friction, and modern engines are built with low tension piston rings and many have dished pistons crowns.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The shape of piston tops, which are also known as crowns, have also changed over the years. While these parts used to be on the flat side, more modern piston tops now have bowl shapes. This has its own effects on combustion. For the most part, these bowl-shaped pistons are found in diesel engines, but they&rsquo;re becoming more common in gasoline engines with direct fuel injection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"illustration of an automotive dished piston\" class=\"wp-image-102531\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automotive-dished-piston.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption>Dished pistons slightly reduce compression and extend engine life. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the piston&rsquo;s crown is shaped like a bowl, it can control the movement of both the fuel and the air as the piston ascends before ignition for the compression stroke. This creates an air and fuel vortex inside the poston bowl before combustion or compression occurs, improving the mixture and creating more efficient combustion. As a result, the engine has more power to work with. The bowls can also be shaped to optimize fuel economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, pistons continue to evolve to keep up with engine developments. Thanks to the rising popularity of direct injection in gasoline engines, we might just see even more unique piston designs hit the market sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 5<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>The terms &ldquo;four-cylinder&rdquo; and &ldquo;six-cylinder&rdquo; are rather common in the automotive space, but what do they mean? The &ldquo;cylinder&rdquo; is&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-piston-design-affects-combustion\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":99895,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3747],"tags":[431],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-99721","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-engine","9":"tag-piston","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Piston Design Affects Combustion - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pistons are an integral part of your engine, and their shape affects engine performance. 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