CNN Article on Motor Oil Shortage
- Thread starter Tom NJ
- Start date
Regarding Walmart:
1) Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 has gone missing on the shelves near me (w Ft Worth) last 3 visits. Other grades available (0w20, 5w30)
2) 0w30 still available to order online…hopefully they don’t try some silly “substitution.”
3) well stocked with Valvoline Restore and Protect, all grades
4) prices seem normal or even rolled back, on what’s available
5) I didn’t check Pennzoil Ultra Platinum this last time, but earlier trip (pre Iran) I was surprised to see Pennzoil Ultra Platinum actually on the shelf, various grades. Sorry, I didn’t look this last time, my bad. I guess you see my perception these are the 3 current darlings (at least, the non-boutique darlings)
But look, people are blaming Iran conflict, but it could also be SP to SQ rotation.
That said, I did something impulsive today: I ordered the ESP 0w30 (3 jugs…at least 2 oil changes…with a little left over). Assuming rebate will apply. I’m going to ask advice elsewhere, on more relevant thread, of what to do with it (I have 2 vehicles as candidates). If I start a new thread, I will probably include “hoarder, cheapskate, oil nerd” in the title. Maybe even “prepper” or “needs to get a life.”
1) Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 has gone missing on the shelves near me (w Ft Worth) last 3 visits. Other grades available (0w20, 5w30)
2) 0w30 still available to order online…hopefully they don’t try some silly “substitution.”
3) well stocked with Valvoline Restore and Protect, all grades
4) prices seem normal or even rolled back, on what’s available
5) I didn’t check Pennzoil Ultra Platinum this last time, but earlier trip (pre Iran) I was surprised to see Pennzoil Ultra Platinum actually on the shelf, various grades. Sorry, I didn’t look this last time, my bad. I guess you see my perception these are the 3 current darlings (at least, the non-boutique darlings)
But look, people are blaming Iran conflict, but it could also be SP to SQ rotation.
That said, I did something impulsive today: I ordered the ESP 0w30 (3 jugs…at least 2 oil changes…with a little left over). Assuming rebate will apply. I’m going to ask advice elsewhere, on more relevant thread, of what to do with it (I have 2 vehicles as candidates). If I start a new thread, I will probably include “hoarder, cheapskate, oil nerd” in the title. Maybe even “prepper” or “needs to get a life.”
This was my Walmart Friday. Lots of everything including 0w-16. No shortage yet that I can see.
Oil filter shelf also for those interested.
Oil filter shelf also for those interested.
My Walmart still pretty stocked. Don’t see any 8 or 16 grade jugs. Mobil 1 ESP and Valvoline Restore and Protect in stock. Prices still normal. The Fram filter shelf now filled with Purplator 20000 mi filters.
It's been a out 2 weeks since I went into one local WM and it appeared that they completely stocked the shelves with oil. It kind of surprised me since we know lower priced oil may not last for long.
Yes I agree. We have it from reliable sources that Mobil 1 has told Walmart there not getting anymore yet the shelves are full - for one example.
I don’t doubt it becomes scarce at some point. Retailing is weird.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Looked today - not just a good inventory of Mobil 1 - but a large portion under $25 including 0W-40 Euro
They gotta blow out the current inventory to make room for the higher priced summer replacement series.
I’m sure Walmart has inventory in their distribution centers. What we are seeing on the shelves is the end of the distribution chain. The question is how much longer does it last. Walmart has ‘low stock’ indicators on nearly all of their oils on their website at the moment. The fact there is oil on the shelves at the moment doesn't change the fact that the upstream supply chain is broken.
We know XOM and Shell have cut off new shipments to Walmart and Costco. We know Toyota, Nissan, Mopar, Autozone and a host of other manufacturers and businesses have implemented strategies to ride this out.
Oil increasing in price but still being available will be the BEST case scenario. The WORST case is no availability and massive shortages. I have hope the oil manufacturers will at lease make and offer syn blends or conventional oils and maybe just back date the API spec. API SM spec oil is better than no oil - and older cars can use it.
Best course of action - buy what you need now while it’s available to ride out 12 months of shortages. No need to buy 5 years worth. No need to hoard massive quantities. Just practice common sense. Run your oil to the OLM or manuf. maintenance interval to stretch your supply - your engine won’t blow up. If you happen to have more than you need already this may prove to be a great opportunity to be able to share and help any neighbors in need.
I have 20 qts 0w20 and 20 qts of 5w30. I will be following the OLM on my Honda and Buick to stretch the supply. This small stock will allow me to change the oil on each of my cars twice with leftover oil to inevitably help out family who have not heeded my warning but will have to get to work to put food on the table.
We know XOM and Shell have cut off new shipments to Walmart and Costco. We know Toyota, Nissan, Mopar, Autozone and a host of other manufacturers and businesses have implemented strategies to ride this out.
Oil increasing in price but still being available will be the BEST case scenario. The WORST case is no availability and massive shortages. I have hope the oil manufacturers will at lease make and offer syn blends or conventional oils and maybe just back date the API spec. API SM spec oil is better than no oil - and older cars can use it.
Best course of action - buy what you need now while it’s available to ride out 12 months of shortages. No need to buy 5 years worth. No need to hoard massive quantities. Just practice common sense. Run your oil to the OLM or manuf. maintenance interval to stretch your supply - your engine won’t blow up. If you happen to have more than you need already this may prove to be a great opportunity to be able to share and help any neighbors in need.
I have 20 qts 0w20 and 20 qts of 5w30. I will be following the OLM on my Honda and Buick to stretch the supply. This small stock will allow me to change the oil on each of my cars twice with leftover oil to inevitably help out family who have not heeded my warning but will have to get to work to put food on the table.
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4wd
$50 site donor 2026
I have finally realized that oil spec is short for speculation 
LOL Boy we can always trust CNN!
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I haven't trusted them since Mike left.
I don’t know but possibly you do. We all heard that oil was going scarce and Walmart / Amazon were being cut off a month ago. So how many weeks supply does Walmart hold?
I know that Walmarts average turn is 40 days? So should we expect them to be out in 10?
I find the whole thing very confusing.
There is inherent momentum in a supply chain the size of Walmart. It’s likely a solid 30-45 days of inventory, based on refining cycles as they need ongoing shelf stock, but refinery cycles don’t perpetually produce all products every week. So, there must be volume in the supply chain to address production cycles and shelf stock requirements.
I’m guessing…but I’d say 45 days is a reasonable lean manufacturing number. It could be 60-90.
I’m guessing…but I’d say 45 days is a reasonable lean manufacturing number. It could be 60-90.
I do not know. I believe Walmart buys large quantities at a time with contracts to get best pricing possible.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
When I thing I have heard is Walmart doesn’t manage store inventory at the store.
Walmart’s inventory system is reported to be centralized worldwide. Vendors like Proctor and Gamble see every PnG item purchased at all Walmart stores worldwide.
Reportedly the supply contract between Walmart and its major vendors require the major vendors to monitor the inventory of their product, and when certain levels are reached, the vendor automatically ships replacement orders to Walmart distribution centers.
The above system, if accurate, keeps Walmart itself from ordering incoming inventory from its major vendors. Assume Walmart just does quality control on the inventory, and pays the vendor after shipments are validated.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Over the years I have found certain oils out of stock at Wal Mart.
Not necessarily surprising to see certain flavors of oil not in stock at local wal marts. Lots of intense algorithms and vendor control , and contractual agreements that impact what stores get what oil, and the sense of urgency.
Quite sure Wal Marts in Southern California will always get the priority of fill for euro blended oils, when compared to a wal mart in southwest Kansas.
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