What Is Air Compressor Oil? Air compressor oil is a specialized lubricant used to prevent premature wear and tear in air compressors. It can be one of two types — natural or synthetic — and it also varies in terms of its viscosity and the additives it contains.

What type of oil is compressor oil?

There are two main types of compressor oil: standard oil (also called mineral oil) and synthetic oil. Standard (Mineral) Compressor Oil. Standard compressor oil is made by using a mineral base and are cheaper than synthetic compressor oil. Mineral oil is more volatile and is more likely to evaporate than synthetic oil.

Is compressor oil the same as engine oil?

Compressor oil is generally either a conventional or synthetic oil. The difference between engine oil and air compressor oil is that compressor oil has no detergents. While detergents can help clean an engine, those same detergents can cause the oil to carry metal shards into the cylinder wall of your air compressor.