Abstract. This paper analyzes the effect of gaps in the lock of the first and second sealing rings and selected dimensions of the ring belt of the piston on the piston-ring-cylinder seal. The research was performed using a mathematical model of the seal system. Simulation results have shown that a significant reduction in the exhaust gas flow to the crankcase -without compromising other parameters characterizing the performance of the seal -would require increased production rigor. Reducing the blow-by without the need to narrow the tolerance intervals of the engine components is possible, but this would be accompanied by increased reverse gas flow from the inter-ring space towards the combustion chamber. The research has also shown that the ring seal of the automotive compression ignition engine, which was the starting point for testing, was optimized for minimizing gas flow towards the combustion chamber at the expense of increased flow of exhaust gases to the crankcase.