Is anyone having trouble buying synthetic motor oil?

Posted by Slalom44@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 43 comments

I had a conversation with a guy that works for a major lubricant manufacturer, and he said that there is going to be a significant shortage of synthetic motor oil at least through mid 2027 due to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. I haven’t seen a shortage or significant price increase in my area yet (Southeast Michigan). Is anyone seeing a shortage in their area?

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86_Ambitions@reddit

Bought some Toyota 0w-16 to change break in oil last week. Added a bunch to my cart as a test. No issue. Panic buying will probably start soon and cause a shortage regardless.

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Wild-Basket4939@reddit

It's just group 3s that will be affected. Group iv/v from natural gas should be safe. So basically, your basic mobil 1 synth will be in short supply, but redline and motul should be fine. (This is not a compehensive list, google what oils are what)

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OutrageousTime4868@reddit

I bought enough to do oil changes on my vehicles for a year, buying any more than that is shitty and selfish

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briman2021@reddit

I bought 2 oil changes worth instead of one last week, shelves were still full and prices were still steady. I’m sure it’s coming, but it’s not here yet.

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zrad603@reddit

A lot of the really good synthetic motor oils are synthesized from natural gas.

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Substantial_Team6751@reddit

And we have tons in the US.

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zrad603@reddit

the bigger problem is if there are any additives that come from that region.

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ly5ergic@reddit

They are also made in the US I believe

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zrad603@reddit

there might be some precursor shortage. I don't know.

I feel like it's more fearmongering than anything.

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stacksmasher@reddit

Meh, there are huge warehouses of this stuff but something tells me its all going to "Disappear" and magically reappear when the price triples lol!!

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BigTunaHunter@reddit

Good job America. I hope you're happy.

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Icy_Truth_9634@reddit

I’ve watched the manufacturers, the distributors, and the big box retailers manipulate the price of motor oil for decades. It’s a scam that is only matched by the gasoline and fuel oil industry. The winners are the fat cat do nothing corporate executives and greedy Wall Street pimps, along with their respective criminal politicians. Unfortunately, it’s a free market economy, with little to no regulation. There will be pigs in the 💩. Remember these things when you’re asked to participate in the next election.

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Diglow@reddit

Yes, took trips to three stores to find euro spec 0W-20 for sale. The place I found it said they only had 8 cases in the warehouse for the region so would also be out soon.

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New-Anybody3050@reddit

Prices near me bumped from $28 for a 5 qt Jug of Pennzoil/Mobil 1/Valvoline to &40+

This is SE Michigan

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Diglow@reddit

Same here, I’d need a second mortgage if I wanted to buy Liqui Moly instead of the non-premium brands. I’m in Utah.

Would love to know why my top level comment is getting downvotes if folks would like to comment.

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SlowMK4GTI@reddit

I went to Walmart a few weeks back to buy 5W40 Euro spec (it was for an oil change, not panic buying) and I barely scraped together the 7 quarts needed for my oil change. I noticed there was a small amount of 5W30 and 0W20 whereas 5W20 and 10W30 were still decently stocked. Haven’t checked nearby parts stores but I’m assuming they have an easier time stocking oils so it won’t be such an issue

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NuclearHateLizard@reddit

It's mostly the super thin oils several companies have admitted are responsible for premature engine failure, I wouldn't sweat this. Just buy cars that aren't designed to fail within 5 years

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SharkNecromancy@reddit

0w8-20 are in short supply due to the base3 oils necessary for them. But it is mostly just synthetic that's having problems.

Conventional oils aren't going to be in short supply for awhile at least, providing it's not coming from Saudi Aramco

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Substantial_Team6751@reddit

Bought some Supertech at Walmart yesterday. Price was still in check. Maybe I'll buy a couple more jugs to get me through the year.

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MarkVII88@reddit

I'm headed to Costco later today. I'll make sure to pick up a couple of their 10 qt. boxes of full synthetic motor oil for future use.

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Curious-Donut5744@reddit

I love the Kirkland 0W20, been running it for years.

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MarkVII88@reddit

Same here. The Kirkland full synthetic motor oil has been shown to be a very decent, very affordable option. I've had zero issues running this oil in multiple vehicles for at least the past 5 years.

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upsidedown-funnel@reddit

The one near me had plenty of stock at the regular $35. May hve to head back over and pick some up.

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Jack_ButterKnobbs@reddit

Theres been talk of the lighter weight oils getting harder to find. Personally 0-w20 hasnt been the easiest to find in my preferred Valvoline R&P but other oil mixes have been in stock still (West Mi). Im hoping its mostly just a bluff/prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best, situation but who knows.

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RichardUkinsuch@reddit

I find that when restore and protect goes on sale lots of people stock up, I have 2 cars that take 0w20 and I usually buy 6 jugs when wally world has it on sale.

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Jack_ButterKnobbs@reddit

I need to keep an eye for it on sale. Ive never seen it on sale but stocking up would be nice. I do an oil change almost every month with how much I drive but my car only takes 2.5 qt so one jug gets me 2 oil changes.

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RichardUkinsuch@reddit

Same here, I have a dialy 56 mile commute. In my area when its under $28 for 5 qt jugs I grab a bunch. Wife's car is a turbo so I change it way before 4k miles, I have a 14 impreza that the prior owner did 8k cheapo oil changes on so the engine was all gunked up. So far im 4 changes with restore and protect at 3k miles and crud is still coming out every change, I also swap filters at 1,500 miles. Stuff has worked well so far for me.

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Bigfootsdiaper@reddit

As far as I know the US does not get ant oil from the Strait of Hormuz. I don't know why we would have a shortage unless a specific ingredient to make synth comes from there. I could be wrong. It could be a BS monopoly play as well.

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Phoenix4264@reddit

The bulk of synthetic oil is made from API Group III base oils, which are generally made from natural gas. There are a couple big refineries in the US that make it, but the majority comes from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Also, if Europe and Asia can't get their base oil from the Gulf states, they're going to buy it from the US and South Korean refineries, which would drive up prices and reduce availability here.

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Repulsive_Vanilla383@reddit

Not yet. Midwest rust belt, last week purchased:

5 quart jug Walmart 5w-30 $19 5 quart jug Menards 5w-30 $19 Costco 10 quart box 5w-30 $35

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tomcat91709@reddit

Walmart had a sale on the stuff I need. Shelves had plenty of inventory.

We do not get our oil from the Arab peninsula. In fact, we are exporting to help stabilize world markets.

This is just more media BS to make Trump look bad.

Rule of thumb: If the media says anything, 98.2% of it is a lie. Lies make them money. COVID taught them that.

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RichardUkinsuch@reddit

Most of the stuff is made from natural gas, this sounds like a ploy by manufacturers to inflate the prices of lubricants.

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Virtual_Win4076@reddit

My Nissan Rogue (‘26 1.5 VC Turbo) I’m guessing requires synthetic. If it’s not available with they up the change frequency?

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Individual-Fail4709@reddit

It is coming and all the petroleum based items will be in short supply and therefore expensive. Trans fluid is already getting scarce.

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schmiddc@reddit

No.. everybody get ahold of yourselves and dont buy out the Walmart..

This is covid toilet paper 2.0

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TheWhogg@reddit

What spec do you need?

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robk22401@reddit

Not yet, but I bought enough for my next 2 oil changes just in case.

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InvertedEyechart11@reddit

Not yet. But, it's coming...

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umrdyldo@reddit

Verse inflation, right now is the cheapest I have ever seen it. $15 / 5 qt jugs of synthetic after rebate all over the place.

Literally something new daily on slickdeals.

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