Story perspectives

Costco caps synthetic oil purchases as prices double

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 3:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Costco Limits Oil

Costco limited members to two Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor-oil cases per week.
The 5-quart two-pack now costs $57.99, up from the mid-$30s earlier this year.
Costco also restricts Mobil 1 full-synthetic 1-quart six-packs to five units per membership.
Analysts link the oil squeeze to Group III base-oil shortages after Middle-East pipeline attacks and Iranian war disruptions.

Summary

General Motors Imposes Fees

General Motors requires a Dexos licensing fee per product and per unit sold for oil brands.
The American Petroleum Institute’s new testing rules, effective at the start of the decade, raise oil certification costs.
Strait of Hormuz closures have halted roughly 20 million barrels each day, resembling supply shocks of 1973.

Summary

Trump Slams Oil

President Donald Trump criticized ExxonMobil and Chevron for soaring profits during the Iran war.
Super PAC Really American blamed Trump’s Iran war for motor-oil price hikes in a Sept. 13 Facebook post.
Colorado creator Rob Benson urged motorists to stock sealed synthetic oil, citing upcoming disruptions, in a May 20 video.
Analysts reported a spike in online electric-car searches after Feb 28, when Trump began bombing Iran.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973 OAPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, announced an oil embargo against the United States and other supporters of Israel, cutting production and prompting a price jump from about $3 to $12 per barrel—a rise of nearly 300%. The embargo, lifted in March 1974, spurred U.S. creation of strategic petroleum reserves and lasting diversification policies that shape today’s fuel-rationing debates.

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Costco Limits Oil

Costco limited members to two Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor-oil cases per week.
The 5-quart two-pack now costs $57.99, up from the mid-$30s earlier this year.
Costco also restricts Mobil 1 full-synthetic 1-quart six-packs to five units per membership.
Analysts link the oil squeeze to Group III base-oil shortages after Middle-East pipeline attacks and Iranian war disruptions.

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