Remember when everyone was rushing to buy 24-packs of two-ply toilet paper? Well, get ready, because I think we’re all going to be stocking up on motor oils very soon.
Apparently, Mobil and Shell informed Costco and Walmart earlier this month that they have no packaged product left to send them. “Expect bare shelves in the motor oil section in a few weeks,” they warned.
Then, Toyota recently sent a bulletin to its service departments warning of an oil shortage (for certain oil weights). The announcement, shared on X, said that ExxonMobil is anticipating a shortage of 0W-8 and 0W-16. The memo has been confirmed to be genuine by multiple sources, although not by Toyota itself.
The announcement read:
Toyota and our supplier ExxonMobil may experience challenges in fulfilling demand for Genuine Toyota Motor Oil (GTMO) 0W-8 and 0W-16 oils due to production and logistics constraints within the global petrochemical supply chain. While Toyota and ExxonMobil continue to work diligently to maintain supply, the following substitution guidelines are recommended for dealers to help manage the demand for the affected products. These measures may allow ExxonMobil to maintain a consistent service-level fill for dealers and help provide continued support for our guests.
TMNA recommends dealers follow these substitution guidelines one day per week for 0W-8 and one day every other week for 0W-16 or use the substitution percentages set forth below until further written notice. This approach is intended to temporarily reduce demand for both oil weights and support continued national supply.
Nissan followed. Earlier today, insiders received a similar bulletin from Nissan that claimed it was already experiencing a motor oil shortage — and was going to start charging more for oil changes.
The document read:
“Due to ongoing global supply constraints impacting key raw materials and refining inputs due to the Middle East Conflict, we have been advised of reduced production capacity for most lubricant products. As a result, Nissan will be implementing the following adjustments, effective May 1, 2026.”
So…
What should you do if the motor oil you need runs out?
The above bulletin states that vehicles with impacted motor oil should substitute with heavier oil. Is this actually safe? Yeah, for a little while.
Using a heavier weight oil will increase drag between engine components, reducing efficiency and dropping your vehicle’s mileage. However, going lighter won’t lubricate your engine enough, which can lead to harsh metal-to-metal contact, increasing friction and accelerating wear. Various engine parts could fail. The heavier weight oil is the lesser evil.
With no real solution, you can see why people are rushing to get their oil changed or stock up on motor oil. While you can use substitutes for a bit, you should use the oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can tell the substitute oil you’re using is wrong for your vehicle if you start smelling burnt oil. This means it’s not lubricating the engine parts properly, increasing friction and causing the engine to overheat. You may also notice oil leaks, which could mean the different oil type you used is squeezing through tight spaces. You will also realize that the fuel efficiency is much lower since your engine is working harder.
Over time, ignoring these issues could ultimately damage your engine’s moving parts and components. This could wear out the engine early or severely damage it.
Alright, time to stock up on motor oil, toilet paper, and eggs. We’re not crazy at all!
