#Compressor oil how to

This is typical of DIY or home-use air compressors which have a light-duty cycle or a highly infrequent duty cycle – such as a car tire compressor that gets pulled out maybe once every 3 months over the course of its life. Over time, oilless air compressors lose their lubrication through degradation of their oil coatings and will eventually run out of lubrication, running under high wear – and eventually seizing up. In fact, oilless air compressors come “factory sealed” so that the original lubrication cannot be replenished. Essentially the term oilless refers to the fact that the compressor doesn’t need to have its oil changed or topped up. Oilless air compressors aren’t actually completely oil-free or devoid of oil. “What about oil-less air compressors?” I hear you say… Summary: Synthetic Oil vs Standard Compressor Oil Duty Cycle Mineral Oil Synthetic Oil Light Duty / Infrequent Use Best ok Heavy Duty / Continuous Use ok BestĪll air compressors are mechanical machines that need oil at some point. Not only this, but synthetic oil has an overall greater temperature range and stronger protection against the air compressor overheating. It is said by multiple users that air compressors run a lot smoother and quieter on synthetic oil lubrication. If you’re continuously using your air compressor in an industrial setting, synthetic blends can be the better choice due to their more regular use. Most importantly, these oils are cheaper than synthetic blends. This is because they’re perfect for light to medium-duty air compressor operations. It can be recommended that if you do not continuously use your air compressor then a standard mineral oil lubricant can be best suited to you. Both mineral and synthetic oil are both very suitable for air compressors so the type of work you intend to do with your air compressor and the amount of use must be analyzed. When making a decision on which one to use, it can take some careful consideration. Synthetic oil undergoes a significant amount of processing. Mineral oil-based tends to be the standard oil for air compressors. When it comes to synthetic vs standard mineral air compressor oil, the choice is very much driven by your duty cycle – how frequently and continuously you use your air compressor.Īir compressor oil lubrication can be made using either synthetic or mineral oil bases. Which is Better, Synthetic or Mineral Oil?

#Compressor oil how to

If you’re wondering how to choose the right kind of compressor oil for your air compressor, which is the best compressor oil, or any other frequently asked questions about air compressor oil – then this ultimate guide to air compressor oil has you covered! Oil Compressors guide for more information! It must be noted, that air compressors are also available oilless… (or Oil-Free) this does not imply that they don’t require lubrication, but instead, they are pre-lubricated and do not need user maintenance to sustain and change the oil inside the compressor. This in turn will produce less heat from the friction, consume less energy and provide a longer machine cycle life. Oil tends to be used as lubrication, and it primarily helps to reduce the friction between the components in the pump of the air compressor. More often than not, air compressors require lubrication systems to operate sufficiently and avoid mass amounts of maintenance. Hey! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.