Air Compressor Oil Types: Which Oil to Use
ISO 46 or ISO 100: the grade and base stock your compressor manual calls for, with 4 oils compared.
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Air compressor oil types come down to grade, base stock and what your compressor manual calls for. The grade sets the thickness of the oil film inside the pump, the base stock decides how the oil handles cold starts and summer heat, and the manual decides which combination belongs in your machine. This guide walks through the grades on the shelf, how to read a label, and the oils below, scored for a home garage.
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TRIAX Kompressor ISO 46 SAE 20, Full Synthetic
A full synthetic, multi-viscosity ISO 46 (SAE 20) compressor oil in a 1 gallon jug, listed for rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating compressors.
Pros
- Full synthetic, multi-viscosity ISO 46, SAE 20 grade
- Listed for rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating compressors
- Maker claims over 20,000 hours of service life
- Maker claims all-season use from -49°F to 140°F and above
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Maker claim of 1000% higher load-bearing capacity cannot be checked from the listing
- Not suitable for breathing air, oxygen or LPG compressors
- Size is 1 gallon while the listed weight is 2.0 pounds
TRIAX Kompressor ISO 100 SAE 30, Full Synthetic
A full synthetic, multi-viscosity ISO 100 (SAE 30) compressor oil in a 1 quart bottle, listed for rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating compressors.
Pros
- Full synthetic, multi-viscosity ISO 100, SAE 30 grade
- Listed for rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating compressors
- Maker claims over 20,000 hours of service life
- Maker claims all-season use from -49°F to 140°F and above
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Maker claim of 1000% higher load-bearing capacity cannot be checked from the listing
- Not for use in oxygen air or Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) compressors
- 1 quart bottle holds less than the 1 gallon jug in this set
Mobil - 100870 Rarus 427, Compressor, 1 qt, ISO100
A Mobil ISO 100 compressor oil in a 1 quart bottle, part number 100870, with a 1 year manufacturer warranty stated.
Pros
- ISO 100 grade in a 1 quart bottle
- 1 year manufacturer warranty stated
- Country of origin is the United States
- Part number 100870 stated for reordering
Cons
- No base stock claim in the listing
- No compressor types listed for compatibility
- No temperature range is stated
- Package dimensions differ between the bullets and the spec table
Ingersoll Rand All Season Select Synthetic Air
A genuine Ingersoll Rand all-temperature synthetic lubricant, part number 38436721, in a 1 litre bottle for reciprocating compressors.
Pros
- Genuine Ingersoll Rand OEM, part number 38436721
- Maker claims 4 times the life of petroleum oil
- All-temperature synthetic, same oil year round per the listing
- Formulated for reciprocating compressors under 100% continuous duty
Cons
- Warranty description states only 'Manufacturer Warranty' with no term
- Listed for reciprocating compressors, not rotary, vane or screw types
- No temperature range is stated in degrees
- 1 litre bottle is smaller than the 1 gallon jug in this set
Air compressor oil types: ISO grade, base stock and the manual
The oils in this set carry ISO 46 and ISO 100 grades, and the TRIAX listings pair ISO 46 with SAE 20 and ISO 100 with SAE 30. Both TRIAX oils are full synthetic, multi-viscosity and non-detergent, and both list rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating compressors. The Ingersoll Rand oil is an all-temperature synthetic for reciprocating compressors, and the Mobil oil is an ISO 100 oil with no base stock claim.
| Oil | ISO grade | SAE grade | Base stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRIAX Kompressor ISO 46 | ISO 46 | SAE 20 | Full synthetic, non-detergent |
| TRIAX Kompressor ISO 100 | ISO 100 | SAE 30 | Full synthetic, non-detergent |
| Mobil Rarus 427 | ISO 100 | Not stated | Not stated |
| IR All Season Select | Not stated | Not stated | All-temperature synthetic |
The grade is the first thing to match. A manual that calls for ISO 46 wants the lower grade in this set, and a manual that calls for ISO 100 wants the higher grade.
How to read an air compressor oil label
Start with the ISO grade, then the SAE grade beside it, then the base stock. Full synthetic describes the base stock, multi-viscosity describes how the oil performs across temperatures, and non-detergent describes the additive package. Check the warnings too: the ISO 46 listing rules out breathing air, oxygen and LPG compressors, and the ISO 100 listing rules out oxygen air and liquid natural gas compressors.
Air compressor oil types for a home garage: the gear
The gear below covers ISO 46 and ISO 100 in the sizes in this set.
Drain the tank after use so water does not rust it from the inside, never exceed the tool's rated pressure, wear eye protection, and run 240V units on the circuit the manual calls for. Do not run a gas engine compressor in a closed garage. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Check the manual before you pour
- Match the grade. Pour only the ISO grade the manual calls for.
- Match the compressor type. The Ingersoll Rand oil is listed for reciprocating compressors, while the TRIAX oils list rotary, vane, screw and reciprocating types.
- Respect the warnings. The ISO 46 oil does not belong in a breathing-air, oxygen or LPG compressor, and the ISO 100 oil does not belong in an oxygen-air or LNG compressor.
- Leave circuit work to an electrician. A compressor on a dedicated circuit needs a licensed electrician for the wiring.
FAQ: garage tools
Can I use motor oil in my air compressor?
Use the oil your compressor manual calls for. Both TRIAX listings state non-detergent, so a manual that calls for a non-detergent compressor oil points at that kind of bottle.
What is the difference between ISO 46 and ISO 100 compressor oil?
The TRIAX listings pair ISO 46 with SAE 20 and ISO 100 with SAE 30. A manual that calls for ISO 46 wants the lower grade, and a manual that calls for ISO 100 wants the higher grade.
How long does air compressor oil last?
TRIAX claims over 20,000 hours of service life for both of its oils, and Ingersoll Rand claims 4 times the life of petroleum oil for its synthetic. Your manual still sets the change interval.
Is synthetic compressor oil worth it?
TRIAX claims all-season use from -49°F to 140°F and above, and Ingersoll Rand calls its oil an all-temperature synthetic that holds viscosity through cold winter starts and summer heat.
Can I use compressor oil in a breathing-air compressor?
No. The TRIAX ISO 46 listing states it is not suitable for breathing air, oxygen or LPG compressors, and the ISO 100 listing rules out oxygen air and liquid natural gas compressors.
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