Costco has restricted how much quantity of an item can be purchased at one time, including toilet paper during the pandemic and eggs during the egg shortages. Motor oil has recently been added to the list.
The warehouse surprised its members last week by increasing the cost of its 2-pack full-synthetic motor oil by about $30 — and placing a weekly purchasing limiton the lubricant.
Costco now lists its 10-quart case of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil at $58, which previously sold at around $30 for years, according to Costco's website and automotive publications, The Auto Wire and The Drive, which reported the price change as early as Sept. 10. The higher cost applies to the motor oil grade SAE 5W-30 and the high mileage version.
Costco
increased the cost of its motor oil to counteract a supply shortage coupled with higher demand, MotorBiscuit said, due to the nearly 7-month Iran-U.S. War and the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil imports to the U.S.
"That matters most for anyone doing their own oil changes to save money," the Auto Wire said. "A DIY full-synthetic change built around a Kirkland twin-pack and a filter now runs close to what many independent shops charge for a synthetic-oil service, narrowing the gap that used to make the driveway worth the trouble. It matters even more for owners of engines with well-documented oil-consumption quirks, where topping off between changes adds up faster than the price of one case suggests."
Costco also set a limit to how many cases members can purchase per week. The limit is posted in bold in the product details: "Limit of 1 Transaction Per Membership, with a Maximum of 2 units every 7 Days."
According to the Sam's Club website, oil prices are still lower than Costco across multiple products.
Sam's Club on Sept. 14was showing Mobil 1 10-20W Advanced Fuel Economy motor oil 6-packs for $34.98, down from $43.98. Other six-pack prices also showed that price tag.
BJ's Wholesale Clubon Sept. 14 was showing six-packs of 1-quart bottles from $30.99 to $38.99.
Other retailers do not appear to have joined Costco in limiting oil purchases.
How many California locations will the rationing affect?
What are Costco's new motor oil prices?
On Sept. 14, Costco's Kirkland Signature full synthetic SAE 5W-30 motor oil, 5-quart, 2-pack, is priced at $57.99 on its website.
Also sold at Costco, the Mobil 1 full synthetic 5W-20 motor oil, 1-quart, 6-pack, is priced at $43.99 on its website.
Six-packs of Mobil full synthetic and High Mileage synthetic oil were priced at $39.99,but available only online.
Costco warehouses in California
Costco has locations in nearly all U.S. states and Puerto Rico, but California houses the most locations by far.
According to its website, California has 136 locations. Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming are the only states with no listed locations, while Guam and American Samoa are territories with no locations.
To find a location near you, go to https://www.costco.com/w/-/locations.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Costco rations oil, raise price. How many California locations affected
