Air Compressor Oil Myths Debunked

Air Compressor Oil Myths

Air compressor dealers would like you to believe that all replacement oil is low-quality “pirate” lubricant that will damage your machinery. That’s simply not true, and they know it. Just like any other product, high-quality doesn’t necessarily need to mean high-priced, and good lubricant is good lubricant, regardless of the name on the barrel.

Myths About Non-OEM Lubricants

You can’t afford to believe everything air compressor dealers tell you, so let’s set the record straight on three lubricant myths.

Myth: OEM lubricant is better.

Truth: Non-OEM lubricant can be just as good–if not better–than the oil it’s designed to replace.

Lubricants are manufactured products, and just like any other product they can be properly or improperly engineered. A good, compatible replacement lubricant can save you money by protecting and lubricating your compressor just as well as the original oil it is intended to replace. In fact, some non-OEM lubricants have been specially engineered to be even BETTER than some OEM lubricants on the market. Why? Because high-quality non-OEM lubricant providers know that they have a lot to prove to get and keep your business, and they’re willing to do it.

Myth: Using any non-OEM lubricant, even a fully compatible one, will void your air compressor warranty.

Truth: Compressor dealers can’t make you buy their parts and lubricants to keep your warranty.

According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, it’s illegal for any dealer to require you to buy parts from them to retain your warranty. Period. And did you know that compressor manufacturers don’t actually manufacture their own lubricants? It’s true. So while some air compressor dealers would like you to think you have to go to them for your lubricants, or that their oils have special properties that make them better suited for their brand of compressors, that’s simply not the case. As long as you choose a compressor lubricant that is truly fully compatible with the oil it is intended to replace (and used properly), you’ll get comparable lubrication and performance for a much lower price.

Myth: You pay more for big-name oil because it’s made with better base stock and additives.

Truth: Replacement lubricants are often made with the same high-quality base stock and additives as their high-priced competitors.

The truth is, some compressor dealers bank on being able to scare you into buying their lubricants by pretending that they can hold your warranty hostage. Not only is it illegal for them to do so, they also charge you more for their lubricants by letting you think you’ll damage your air compressor parts if you don’t. Don’t let yourself be taken in by their scare tactics and lies. The truth is, you will save money and protect your equipment with high-quality, fully-compatible lubricants.

Choosing the Right Oil

When it comes to choosing replacement lubricants, full chemical compatibility is key. So, not only do you want to make sure that the replacement oil you’re considering has the same performance characteristics as the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant (like flash point, viscosity index, oxidative stability, and pour point), you also want to make sure that it is made with fully-compatible base stocks and additives. Mix marginally-compatible products and you run the risk of premature lubricant breakdown or compressor parts damage.

If you’re not sure if the air compressor lubricant you’re using is truly fully compatible with your manufacturer’s suggested product–or if you’ve noticed degraded compressor performance and you’ve recently changed lubricants–contact us at shop@industrialairpower.com or 877-422-1717. We’ll help you determine what lubricants are right for you and whether you need to switch.