Toyota dealerships are scrambling.
There’s no oil. Or at least not the specific kind required for a simple maintenance service. Across North America, the shortage is real, forcing shops to look for alternatives.
Where the trouble started
It traces back to conflict in Iran. Supply lines snapped, bottlenecks formed. The ripple effect is global but hits hardest in the US and Canada. Even major parts retailers like Costco and AutoZone are feeling the squeeze. Shell and ExxonMobil production logistics are tangled in the Middle East mess, dragging down inventory for everyone.
CNN says wholesale prices keep climbing. It’s not just a blip.
What to do about 0W-8
On April 30, Toyota issued a dealer bulletin. A direct memo to service centers.
If you can’t find 0W-8 or 0W-16 —the thin oils modern engines demand—here are the substitutes.
It’s a workaround, not a solution. But it keeps the line moving. Mechanics need to know what weight of oil won’t wreck an engine while waiting for shipments.
Down Under stays dry?
Not here.
Australian dealerships seem immune to the immediate crisis. For now.
“There is no supply issue at this stage,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson said. “We are closely monitoring.”
Calm waters, probably. But the rest of the world isn’t so lucky.
A long, sticky winter
Holly Alfano runs the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. She isn’t optimistic.
“We’re looking at shortages,” she told CNN. “It’s a big mess.”
She says relief might take a year. Who wants to wait twelve months for oil? Nobody.
It’s just how things are now. Disrupted. Expensive. Unresolved.
