Anyone tracking all the talk about Group III base oil shortages?

[zx10guy]

Just wondering if any of you all are tracking all the talk about Group III base oil shortages.

 

[sinistriel@]

Yes its a real thing. Our bulk supplier just had a price increase by 30% on all of our synthetics and has run out of a lot of bottled product. We buy it by the 55 gallon drum and that currently is less effected. GM and Ford are running out of ULV for the 10 speeds which is going to be an issue.

 

[zx10guy]

Yes its a real thing. Our bulk supplier just had a price increase by 30% on all of our synthetics and has run out of a lot of bottled product. We buy it by the 55 gallon drum and that currently is less effected. GM and Ford are running out of ULV for the 10 speeds which is going to be an issue.

Thanks for the first hand accounting on this. Are there specific grades more affected than others?

 

[sinistriel@]

Thanks for the first hand accounting on this. Are there specific grades more affected than others?

Mostly 0W- oils and atfs as it requires a higher quality base stock to meet 0W. For a variety of reasons I hope the situation resolves quicly.

 

[zx10guy]

Mostly 0W- oils and atfs as it requires a higher quality base stock to meet 0W. For a variety of reasons I hope the situation resolves quicly.

That's what I'm seeing too. Most prominent is Toyota issuing a TSB on how much to mix 0W-8 and 0W-16 oils with thicker grades to still meet compliance.

I stopped by Costco today and was expecting no 0W-anything. They had a bunch of Mobil 1 0W-20. I picked up two cases. The other oils that Costco had were under their Kirkland brand. They had plenty of stock of 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 15W-40.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

I just did an oil change maybe 3 weeks ago now. Just picked up some SG1 gear oil, and am putting in an order for ATF FZ, just deciding how much to get.

Thinking maybe should get another 5 quart jug of 5w30 for the fall just in-case. At minimum save some money since it will probably go up.

 

[Jmaz]

I just did an oil change maybe 3 weeks ago now. Just picked up some SG1 gear oil, and am putting in an order for ATF FZ, just deciding how much to get.

Thinking maybe should get another 5 quart jug of 5w30 for the fall just in-case. At minimum save some money since it will probably go up.

I've been following this and I'd absolutely pick up at least another jug. My next change is in the fall and I've got 2 jugs stashed. That way I'm also covered for 2027. I expect this will take a long time to get resolved and with price increases already on group 3 base oils that most synthetics use I wouldn't expect it to be any cheaper for a while. As of a few days ago Walmart still had most everything in stock. I picked up my second jug of Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 then. Mobil is having a $10 electronic gift card with purchase of many grades of motor oil. Now's the time to be getting it.

 

[zx10guy]

Sunday I was at Walmart and Advance Auto. Both had fully stocked shelves. I have to get my butt in gear and stop by my BMW motorcycle dealer to pick up some oil and filters. My S1000RR is due now for an oil change due to age and not mileage.

Everything else in my fleet is caught up. I may order an oil change kit from FCP Euro for my 135i garage queen. That one is also having oil changes based on time.

As of right now, I have 2 cases of Mobil 1 0W-20, 2 cases of Mobil 1 5W-30, a jug of Motul 10W-40 motorcycle oil, and 4.5 quarts of Mobil 1 0W-20, May buy another 5W-30 case of oil when I'm out at my beach house from BJ's. But I think I'm good for a while as is.

Forget which oil/refinery company announced this, but supposedly a couple of refineries will be upgraded to produce base III oils here in the US.