Costco has nearly doubled the price of Kirkland motor oil and capped purchases as rising crude prices and supply disruptions squeeze lubricant supplies.
Costco shoppers are facing a sharp increase in the price of Kirkland Signature motor oil, along with new purchase limits as rising oil prices and supply disruptions put pressure on lubricant supplies.
The warehouse retailer is now selling a 10-quart case of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil for about $58, up substantially from the roughly $30 to $35 price range where it had sold for much of the past several years. Costco has also limited members to two cases per week.
Costco puts a limit on motor oil
The purchase restriction is displayed on Costco’s product listings, signaling that the retailer is taking steps to control sales of a product that has become more expensive and potentially harder to source.
The Kirkland product comes as a two-pack of 5-quart bottles, providing 10 quarts of full-synthetic oil. The current price represents a significant increase for drivers who have relied on Costco’s private-label oil as a lower-cost option for routine vehicle maintenance.
Costco has not publicly explained how long the purchase restriction will remain in place. FOX Business reported that the company was contacted for comment.
Mobil 1 oil also faces restrictions
The changes are not limited to Costco’s Kirkland brand.
Costco is also restricting purchases of Mobil 1 full-synthetic motor oil, with the 1-quart six-pack, priced at roughly $44, limited to five per membership.
The restrictions suggest that the pressure is affecting the broader motor-oil category rather than simply being a pricing decision involving Costco’s private-label brand.
Why is motor oil getting more expensive?
The latest Costco changes come as global crude oil prices have surged amid disruptions to energy supplies.
Brent crude moved above $109 a barrel, while ongoing instability in the Middle East has disrupted important oil-shipping routes and tightened supplies.
Motor oil is also affected by the availability of Group III base oils, which are heavily used in modern synthetic lubricants. A significant portion of the Group III base oil used in the United States comes from producers in the Persian Gulf, making the market vulnerable to regional supply disruptions.
Higher oil prices are hitting drivers
The increase in motor oil comes as American drivers are already dealing with higher fuel costs.
The national average price for regular gasoline has climbed to around $4.32 per gallon, while diesel has reached approximately $6.23 per gallon, according to figures cited in the latest reports.
That combination means consumers are being squeezed both when they fill their tanks and when they maintain their vehicles.
For drivers who perform their own oil changes, the jump in Costco’s Kirkland price could eliminate some of the savings they previously enjoyed by purchasing motor oil in bulk.
Could other retailers raise prices?
It remains unclear whether Costco’s move will be followed by other major retailers.
Companies such as Walmart, Amazon and AutoZone have not indicated that they will impose similar purchase limits or make comparable price increases, according to current reporting.
However, continued pressure on crude oil and synthetic lubricant supplies could eventually affect prices across the broader retail market.
Costco shoppers face a new reality
Costco has long attracted customers with its bulk-buying model and reputation for competitive prices. The sudden increase in Kirkland motor oil illustrates how quickly global commodity and supply-chain pressures can reach consumers.
For now, Costco members looking to stock up on motor oil face both a significantly higher price and a firm weekly purchasing limit.
The bigger question is whether the changes are temporary or a sign that elevated motor oil prices and tighter supplies could persist into the months ahead.
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