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In the present work, a system approach to the tribological optimization of passenger car engines is demonstrated. Experimental data and simulation results are presented to demonstrate the role of surface specifications, ring pack, and lubricant on the piston/bore tribology. The importance of in-design “pairing” of low-viscosity motor oils with the ring pack and the cylinder bore characteristics in order to achieve maximum reduction in GHG emissions and improvement in fuel economy without sacrificing the endurance is elucidated. Earlier motored friction data for two different gasoline engines - Ford Duratec and Mercedes Benz M133 - using motor oils of different viscosity grades are now rationalized using AVL EXCITE® piston/bore tribology simulations. The main difference between the engines was the cylinder bore surface: honed cast iron vs thermally sprayed, and the valve train type: direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) vs roller finger follower (RFF).

Despite the influence of folded metal material on the lubrication performance of engine cylinder liners has been largely investigated, its effect has not been isolated yet in terms of other surface parameters as Sa, Sq, Vo, Rpk etc. In the present contribution, the isolated effect of folded metal on the performance of engine cylinder liners was investigated by comparing the hydrodynamic and asperity contact pressures through a deterministic mixed lubrication model. From that, the friction coefficients and the engine friction losses were also estimated. The topography of a production car engine block was characterized employing a Non-Contact Surface Profiler System. Folded metal was quantified using in-house algorithms, and so its occurrences were digitally removed. Afterwards, the surfaces with and without folded metal were studied with the deterministic model.