Anyone tracking all the talk about Group III base oil shortages?
- Thread starter zx10guy
- Start date
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?
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.
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- Denver, CO
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just scheduled one of two free complimentary oil changes from my dealer. I wasn't even aware I was getting this perk. Pretty sure it's from my dealer and not Mazda.. So that saves my stock of oil by two oil changes.
I also picked up 7 quarts of BMW 5W-40 motorcycle oil with filters today.
I also picked up 7 quarts of BMW 5W-40 motorcycle oil with filters today.
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
As others have said, the low 0w-8, -16 and -20 viscosities may have shortages. Next month is when it may start showing up per this article.
We’ve got a pretty good 5w-30 thread going to assuage any concerns you might have going to a higher viscosity if needed
Yup. Toyota issued a TSB about this that has been confirmed with its authenticity. Toyota said techs may have to mix grades to get the necessary amount of oil for an oil change. From what I recall, the TSB focused on issues with availability of 0W-8 and 0W-16. Calling out using 0W-20 to make up the total oil put into an engine. Makes sense as Toyota seems to be the auto manufacturer that has more cars using 0W-8 and 0W-16 weight oils.
As to the other grades of oils, while they're not as impacted by the Group III base oil supply, you can bet prices are going to rise for those grades too; whether it be opportunistic gouging or people shifting to different grades due to pricing/shortages.
As to the other grades of oils, while they're not as impacted by the Group III base oil supply, you can bet prices are going to rise for those grades too; whether it be opportunistic gouging or people shifting to different grades due to pricing/shortages.
Here is the Nissan memo
Toyota
Autozone
Toyota
Autozone
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
Stopped at Walmart and placed an extra order with Amsoil while the getting is good. Got a few quarts of Toyota ATF for a change I’ll need to do around the end of the year. Should have enough stuff to hold me over for the next 18-24 months.
Edit: noticed Amsoil is about 10% higher cost vs the order I placed back in February : / that jives with the multiple rate hikes I’m reading about for manufacturers.
Edit: noticed Amsoil is about 10% higher cost vs the order I placed back in February : / that jives with the multiple rate hikes I’m reading about for manufacturers.
