|By Chilton Staff|
One of the most common maintenance tasks is an oil change. The engine is the heart of the vehicle and oil is its lifeblood. Motor oil protects the engine by cleaning, cooling, lubricating, and sealing it. The right engine oil helps maintain fuel efficiency and, over time, can save money on gasoline.
Over a barrel
There’s daily evidence of the Persian Gulf oil supply disruption with higher gas prices at the pump. But the disruption affects other automotive fluids, too, particularly synthetic motor oil which, despite being called “synthetic,” has a petroleum base.
Due to the oil supply curtailment worldwide, auto manufacturers, suppliers, repair shops, and others are already experiencing the effects of looming shortages. Analysts predict higher prices, rationing, and even the unavailability of some products.
And, once oil begins flowing, it may not be until 2027 or beyond before stockers begin to fill shelves again.1
“We don’t expect the base oil market conditions to come back to normal until at least the middle of next year, and it could be longer before a rebound in supply makes its way to service centers and store shelves. At this point, we’re looking at a good year or more.”
Shortages affect the entire industry, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face a situation similar to the recent pandemic, when semiconductor chip shortages impacted the ability to manufacture cars and trucks.
“Manufacturers will not be able to produce the vehicle because they can’t put transmission fluid in the transmission.”
In addition to sourcing lubricants for new cars, automakers are also striving to supply their dealership service departments with them. Leaked documents show some OEMs are preparing instructions for their dealers about rationing and using substitutes as temporary measures.4,5
Reducing friction
The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) requested emergency provisional licensing6,7from the American Petroleum Institute (API), a trade organization of oil and gas companies, stating: “The trigger is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. API determined that the base oil supply conditions meet the force majeure threshold.” The API emergency provision allows a licensee, such as an auto parts store, to make certain substitutions for a 90-day period.
Warranties require regular oil changes. For vehicle owners facing inflated costs for oil changes, potential rationing, and unavailability, automakers are working to identify substitutions that will not void the warranty.
How long can you go without changing the oil? Even for older vehicles, skipping oil changes is generally not an option. Oil degrades over time and can no longer protect the engine. Eventually it can lead to significant damage.
Engineers at auto manufacturers balance how best to care for each specific year, make, and model vehicle with its maintenance expense. These specifications are included in the OEM maintenance schedule. The maintenance schedule includes how frequently to change the oil for different driving conditions. Automakers also specify the type and quantity of engine oil. Deviation from OEM specifications is generally not advised, but engineers are reassessing based on emergency conditions. The ChiltonLibrary knowledge base is a resource for OEM maintenance schedules as well as OEM engine oil specifications.
In this ChiltonLibrary excerpt from a 2026 Lexus LX600 oil and filter replacement procedure, the OEM specifies the type and quantity of oil.
Recycle engine oil
According to the EPA, it takes less energy to recycle oil than to source new oil. Always recycling used motor oil makes a difference. And, since used oil is toxic, recycling it helps keep our waterways cleaner.8
The ChiltonLibrary knowledge base provides essential specifications, procedures, and other automaker information to help with car and truck service and repair. At a time when many Americans are strapped by rising costs,9 ChiltonLibrary can help car owners save money.
- “ILMA Engages DOE on Base Oil Supply Disruptions amid Middle East Conflict,” Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, April 8, 2026. https://Ilma.org/ilma-engages-doe-on-base-oil-supply-disruptions-amid-middle-east-conflict/ ↩︎
- Martha C. White, “Could the Iran War Cause a Motor Oil Shortage?” Edited by Katherine Peach, Money, May 18, 2026. https://money.com/motor-oil-shortage-2026/ ↩︎
- Dan Shine, “Motor Oil Shortage Worsens,” Kellen Walker, Daily Drive podcast, Automotive News, May 22, 2026. https://autonews.com/podcasts/daily-drive/an-daily-drive-motor-oil-shortage-gacita-ram-maverick-challenger/ ↩︎
- “Toyota Sends Bulletin Warning Dealers of Potential Motor Oil Shortage,” National Oil and Lube News, May 14, 2026. www.noln.net/site-placement/latest-news/news/55377648/toyota-sends-bulletin-warning-dealers-of-potential-motor-oil-shortage/ ↩︎
- Earl Lee, “Nissan Oil Changes Could Get Harder as Dealers Ration Motor Oil,” Autoblog, May 23, 2026. https://www.autoblog.com/news/nissan-oil-changes-could-get-harder-as-dealers-ration-motor-oil/ ↩︎
- “API Grants ILMA’s Request for Emergency Provisional Licensing,” Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, March 25, 2026. https://ilma.org/api-grants-ilmas-request-for-emergency-provisional-licensing/ ↩︎
- “ILMA Engages DOE on Base Oil Supply Disruptions amid Middle East Conflict,” https://Ilma.org/ilma-engages-doe-on-base-oil-supply-disruptions-amid-middle-east-conflict/ ↩︎
- “Managing, Reusing, and Recycling Used Oil: The Benefits of Reusing and Recycling Used Oil,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://epa.gov/recycle/managing-reusing-and-recycling-used-oil/ ↩︎
- Gizem Kosar, Ishva Mehta, and Wilbert van der Klaauw, “Food Insecurity and Consumer Pessimism,” Liberty Street Economics, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, May 27, 2026. https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/05/food-insecurity-and-consumer-pessimism/
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