Zoe Saldana
Senior Member
Looming motor oil shortages—particularly for low-viscosity oils (like 0W-8, 0W-16, and 0W-20) used in modern vehicles—are driven by the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has heavily restricted U.S. imports of Group III base oils, which account for about 45% of the supply. [1, 2, 3]
The Root of the Scarcity
What This Means For Your Car
May 20, 2026 — Holly Alfano, CEO of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, said she expects to see some motor oil shortages by early July.
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Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40 is produced in the United States by Shell Lubricants. The base oil is manufactured using a patented gas-to-liquid (GTL) process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear full synthetic base oil, rather than being derived from crude o
Theoretically, there is no reason for PUP to go up in price. It should be priced by natural gas and not crude oil. It should be in supply BUT if others who need motor oil move to PUP it could be harder to find.
There oar other motor mfgs in the USA and I hope they increase their production.
I always have enough for the next oil change on hand.
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
The Root of the Scarcity
- Pearl GTL Facility: The world's largest gas-to-liquids plant, located in Qatar and responsible for producing a massive portion of the world's Group III base oil, suffered significant damage from an Iranian missile strike.
- Supply Chain Breakdown: Because 70% or more of modern motor oil is formulated from these specific base oils, the U.S. is facing a severe squeeze, with Mideast-origin supplies practically cut off.
- Diverted Resources: Typically, the U.S. would supplement with supply from South Korea. However, Asian refiners rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for crude and are prioritizing jet fuel and diesel because of their historically high profit margins. [1, 2]
What This Means For Your Car
- Skyrocketing Prices: Supply chain constraints have led to repeated, unprecedented wholesale price hikes that are being passed directly to consumers at auto shops and dealerships.
- Automaker Workarounds: Industry groups like the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) have noted that shortages could last up to a year. To avoid service delays, automakers like Toyota and Nissan have issued bulletins that temporarily authorize the use of slightly higher-viscosity oils.
- What You Can Do: If you are due for a service, call your local mechanic or dealership ahead of time to confirm the availability of your car's recommended motor oil. You can also use tools like the AutoZone Store Locator or the Advance Auto Parts Store Locator to check for availability on your preferred synthetic or conventional oil quarts if you plan to top off your engine yourself.
May 20, 2026 — Holly Alfano, CEO of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, said she expects to see some motor oil shortages by early July.
====================================================
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40 is produced in the United States by Shell Lubricants. The base oil is manufactured using a patented gas-to-liquid (GTL) process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear full synthetic base oil, rather than being derived from crude o
Theoretically, there is no reason for PUP to go up in price. It should be priced by natural gas and not crude oil. It should be in supply BUT if others who need motor oil move to PUP it could be harder to find.
There oar other motor mfgs in the USA and I hope they increase their production.
I always have enough for the next oil change on hand.
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
