Automotive Service Air Consumption Chart
View Air Compressor FAQ's (click here)
How much air pressure is need to run your air tool?
How large of a compressor do I need to run my automotive air tool?
This chart will give you a general guideline on the most commonly used air tools in automotive repair. It shows how much air pressure is needed and the required cfm output from your compressor.
Equipment Air Pressure Range in cfm |
Portable Tools |
Compressor cfm required per unit |
70 - 100 |
** Air Filter Cleaner |
3.0 |
70 - 100 |
** Body Polisher |
20.0 |
70 - 100 |
** Body Sander |
10.0 |
70 - 100 |
Brake Tester |
4.0 |
70 - 100 |
** Carbon Remover |
3.0 |
90 - 100 |
Dusting Gun (Blow Gun) |
2.5 |
70 - 100 |
Panel Cutter |
4.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Impact Wrench 3/8" sq. |
3.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Impact Wrench 1/2" sq. |
4.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Impact Wrench 5/8" sq. |
5.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Impact Wrench 3/4" sq. |
8.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Impact Wrench 1" sq. |
12.0 |
70 - 90 |
** Die Grinder |
5.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Vertical Disc Sander |
20.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Filing & Sawing Machine (small) |
3.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Filing & Sawing Machine (large) |
5.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Burring Tool |
5.0 |
TIRE TOOLS |
||
125 - 150 |
** Vacuum Cleaner |
7.0 |
125 - 150 |
Rim Stripper |
6.0 |
125 - 150 |
Tire Changer |
1.0 |
125 - 150 |
Tire Inflation Line |
2.0 |
125 - 150 |
Tire Spreader |
1.0 |
HAMMERS |
||
90 - 100 |
** Air Hammer |
4.0 |
90 - 100 |
Tire Hammer |
12.0 |
125 - 150 |
Bead Breaker |
12.0 |
90 - 100 |
Spring Oiler |
4.0 |
SPRAY GUNS |
||
90 - 100 |
** Engine Cleaner |
5.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Paint Gun (production) |
8.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Paint Gun (touch-up) |
4.0 |
90 - 100 |
** Paint Gun (undercoat) |
19.0 |
OTHER EQUIPMENT |
||
120 - 150 |
** Grease Gun |
3.0 |
145 - 175 |
Car Lift (hydraulic)* |
6.0 |
125 - 150 |
Floor Jack (hydraulic) |
6.0 |
120 - 150 |
Pneumatic Garage Door |
3.0 |
90 - 100 |
Radiator Tester |
1.0 |
90 - 100 |
Spark Plug Cleaner |
5.0 |
90 - 100 |
Spark Plug Tester |
0.5 |
70 - 100 |
Transmission Flusher |
3.0 |
70 - 100 |
** Fender Hammer |
9.0 |
70 - 100 |
** Car Washer |
9.0 |
70 - 100 |
** 6" Medium Duty Sander |
40.0 |
* 8,000 lb. capacity. Add .65 cfm for each 1,000 lbs over 8,000 lbs.
** Devices are rated based on typical "on-load" performance characteristics.
Always check with tool manufacturers for actual comsumption of the tools being used. The above is based on averages and should not be considered completely accurate for any particular make or brand of tool.
