Big Rigs · Nationwide · October 24, 2026

Fleets Say Engine Oil Is Costing More as Base Oil Supplies Tighten

Diesel is not the only oil bill going up for trucking. Some fleets told Heavy Duty Trucking they are also paying more for engine oil and other lubricants, as the war involving Iran disrupts global oil supplies, HDT reports.

Neither Shell nor the American Petroleum Institute gave figures on how much finished lubricant prices have risen, according to HDT.

The base oil squeeze

The pressure is sharpest for Group III base oils, which are used in many synthetic engine oils, HDT reports.

"There is a tighter availability of certain Group III base oils, which impacts the ability to formulate premium full synthetic low-viscosity formulations," Shell said in written responses to HDT. Shell said some driveline lubricants are also affected.

API said the Group III supply chain has tightened further since August. "As inventories tighten and supply disruptions continue, lubricant marketers may face challenges obtaining the specific base oils used in their approved formulations," said Bill O'Ryan, API's director of engine oil licensing.

In a June explanation, the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association said damage to Middle East production facilities, low inventories and limited alternatives would make recovery harder even if shipping improved, according to HDT. The group also said refiners can earn more making diesel and jet fuel than base oils.

Emergency flexibility

API invoked emergency provisional licensing, which lets licensed oil marketers temporarily change formulations when they cannot get the required ingredients. API extended that for another 90 days beginning Oct. 1, HDT reports. O'Ryan said the flexibility comes with testing, technical review and traceability requirements.

New oil categories still on schedule

API and Shell said the new API CL-4 and FB-4 heavy-duty engine oil categories remain on track for first licensing Jan. 1, 2027, according to HDT. How much fleets will pay for them is unclear. API said it does not set or predict prices, and Shell declined to discuss prices, citing antitrust rules.

Owner-operators adding up maintenance costs can include them in the free owner-operator profit calculator.

A question for readers

Diesel is not the only oil bill climbing.

Have you noticed a higher price on your last oil change?

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