Apparatus was developed to measure piston assembly friction with a floating cylinder liner against crank angle, using components of an eco-mileage vehicle engine as much as possible. This apparatus was then used to investigate the effect of different sets of piston rings on piston assembly friction in an eco-mileage vehicle engine. Results indicated that, compared to the piston with all three rings (a top ring, a second ring and an oil ring), the piston with two rings (a top ring and an oil ring) reduced piston assembly friction at all engine temperatures and engine speeds. Another configuration of two rings, with the top ring and the second ring, but without the oil ring, reduced friction at a lower engine temperature and speed, but was almost the same as the three-ring set at a higher engine temperature and speed. Finally, a one-ring set, with only the top ring, further reduced friction, except at a higher temperature and speed, where friction was greater than the two-ring set without the second ring.