Motor Oil Shortage Expected to Last Through Mid-2027 — What Drivers Need to Know

Author: Nate Chenenko
Publication: ABC Philadelphia (WPVI)
Date: September 9, 2026

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Nate Chenenko, Principal at Ducker Carlisle, appeared on ABC Philadelphia (WPVI) on September 9, 2026, to explain the synthetic motor oil shortage and what drivers in the Philadelphia market should expect at the service lane.

The segment covers how the U.S.-Iran conflict has disrupted Group III base oil supply from the Middle East, which accounts for approximately half of the base oil used to produce synthetic motor oil in the United States. The shortage is expected to persist through mid-2027. Nate explains why consumers are already seeing higher prices at oil change shops, why the right oil is not always available at the right time, and what drivers should do to avoid being caught off guard.

Nate advises drivers not to wait until the last minute for an oil change, to call ahead to confirm their preferred oil is in stock, and to expect prices to remain elevated even as supply conditions gradually improve.

Source: ABC Philadelphia, WPVI | September 9, 2026