What is a common cause of a car burning oil and losing oil pressure?

A common cause of a car burning oil and losing oil pressure is indeed associated with piston rings that do not seal the cylinder properly. The piston rings form a crucial seal between the piston and the cylinder walls, ensuring that engine oil remains in the crankcase and does not enter the combustion chamber. When these rings are worn, damaged, or improperly installed, they can allow oil to bypass into the combustion area, leading to oil consumption. This not only causes the vehicle to burn oil but can also lead to a decrease in oil pressure, as more oil is being consumed than is being circulated effectively in the engine.

In contrast, while a damaged oil filter could potentially lead to oil pressure issues due to inadequate oil flow, it does not directly cause burning oil. An empty fuel tank is unrelated to oil consumption and pressure, focusing instead on fuel delivery to the engine. Overfilling the oil reservoir might cause foaming or bubbling that could affect oil pressure, but it typically won't lead to significant oil burning as seen with faulty piston rings. Thus, malfunctioning piston rings are recognized as a primary factor in the issue described.