The oil in a screw compressor does far more than lubricate — it seals the element, carries away heat, and helps separate cleanly from the air. Using the wrong oil, or a copy, is a quiet way to shorten element life. Atlas Copco's genuine oils are sold under the PAROIL name, and picking the right one is simpler than it looks.
The main PAROIL types
- PAROIL M — mineral oil for standard-duty oil-injected compressors.
- PAROIL S — synthetic oil for longer life and higher temperatures.
- PAROIL M XTREME / Ndurance — extended-life options for demanding duty.
- Roto Foodgrade fluids — food-grade oil for food, beverage and pharma sites.
Mineral vs synthetic — which do you need?
Mineral PAROIL is fine for standard loads and shorter change intervals; synthetic PAROIL holds up better under heat and heavy hours and typically lasts longer between changes. Your machine's manual and duty cycle decide which is right — if you're not sure, send us your model and we'll tell you the correct genuine oil.
Change intervals & the golden rules
Oil is changed on the machine's service schedule — usually alongside the oil filter and separator, which is why a service kit is the easy way to do it in one go. Two rules: don't mix oil types (mineral and synthetic don't belong together), and don't overrun the interval — old oil oxidises, varnishes and stops protecting the element.
Why genuine oil
Genuine PAROIL is formulated for Atlas Copco elements and separators. A cheaper substitute can foam, carry over, or attack the separator — costing you far more than the oil ever saved.