By syntheticplus
Your next oil change is about to cost more — and at some dealerships, the oil may not even be on the shelf. A 2026 base oil shortage tied to the Strait of Hormuz closure has cut roughly 44% of US Group III capacity, sending wholesale prices above $10 a gallon. Toyota and Nissan have already started rationing oil to their own service lanes. Here’s what’s happening and how to get ahead of it with AMSOIL synthetic oil.
What’s Driving the Shortage
- Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz closure have disrupted global Group III base oil — a key ingredient in most modern synthetics.
- Spot prices for the hardest-hit grades (0W-8, 0W-16, 0W-20) have nearly tripled to all-time highs.
- Analysts expect the market to stay undersupplied through mid-2027, with US Middle East-origin supply running out as soon as June 2026.
What It Means for Drivers
- Retail synthetic oil changes are running $10–$25 higher than early 2026.
- Some viscosities are seeing temporary out-of-stocks and dealer rationing.
- The smart move is simple: stock up before the next increase. Order AMSOIL direct and skip the service-lane shortage entirely.
Why AMSOIL Is a Smart Hedge Right Now
- Still in stock, shipped direct — no rationing, no service-lane waitlist.
- Filters are exempt from the 2026 surcharge, so you save where it counts.
- Extended drain intervals up to 25,000 miles on Signature Series mean fewer changes per year — fewer chances to get hit by rising prices.
We have the Answers!
Why are motor oil prices going up in 2026?
The Strait of Hormuz closure and Middle East conflict have disrupted global Group III base oil — a core ingredient in most synthetics. That cut roughly 44% of US capacity and pushed wholesale base oil above $10/gallon, so nearly every brand is raising prices.
How much more will an oil change cost
Retail synthetic oil changes are running about $10–$25 higher than early 2026, with 5-quart jug prices roughly 15–30% above 2025. Increases are expected to continue through the year.
Did AMSOIL raise prices too?
AMSOIL added a temporary surcharge of about $1/quart on synthetic motor oils in April 2026, driven by the same raw-material costs. Importantly, filters are exempt, there’s no surprise checkout fee, and AMSOIL has said it will remove the surcharge once supply stabilizes.
Fewer oil changes plus reliable supply equals real savings while everyone else scrambles. Lock in your AMSOIL order today.
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