Compressor oil is a special lubricant used in compressors to prevent premature wear. It can be of two types, natural or synthetic. They also differ in viscosity and additives. It differs significantly from motor oil in that it contains less sulfur and carbon and no detergents. In addition to lubrication, these oils offer many other benefits for air compressor use, including heat absorption: Compressor oil absorbs the heat generated by the compressed air, keeping the compressor at a cooler temperature. Oxidation resistance: Compressor oil contains additives that retard oxidation and acid formation. Longer life: The additives in compressor oil also extend the life of the oil, protecting machine components during downtime and making the oil compatible with a wide range of conditions. Cold weather viscosity: While some oils degrade as the temperature drops, compressor oil maintains its viscosity in the cold. De-emulsification: Compressor oil also contains additives that protect the compressor from water and oil emulsions and improve water separation. Anti-foaming properties: Foam is created when large air bubbles rise to the surface of the oil. This increases oxidation by exposing more of the oil surface to oxygen. Without anti-foam additives, oil separators become saturated with foam and the life of the air compressor is shortened.

Many people question which oil to use in air compressors and often wonder if there is a better option. The best oil to use in an air compressor will usually depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Typically, your compressor instructions will specify which oil will work best to ensure peak performance. Unspecified oil substitutes, may void the warranty and eliminate additional benefits. You can rely on compressor oil specially formulated for air compressors. Whether it is standard or synthetic or both. You only need to add oil to the engine if you have an oil-lubricated compressor. In general, oil-lubricated air compressors handle higher duty cycles and have a longer engine life than oil-free models.

When comparing engine oil and compressor oil, the most important difference is what the oil is formulated for. Compressor oil is formulated specifically for air compressors. Most engine oils, on the other hand, are not formulated for use in air compressors.

The short answer is no. The motor oil used in your car or truck typically contains detergents that are beneficial to internal combustion engines, but can be harmful to air compressors. If you want to use motor oil in your air compressor, you should do additional research to ensure that the motor oil you purchase does not contain detergents. Otherwise, the detergent will quickly cause carbon deposits in your air compressor. In this case, a non-detergent motor oil may be a suitable substitute. However, most people do not keep this type of motor oil on hand for their vehicles. Therefore, this substitute offers minimal convenience. Also, the cost difference between compressor oil and other types of oil is relatively small. Instead, it is better to have a compressor oil that is specifically made for your air compressor.