I’m really bad at noting something I find interesting so I can write about it later. I saw a poast somewhere in my blogroll about one of the things no one is thinking of with the middle east war.
Oil. Like for your car. Industrial lubricants. I saw a great reminder today though on Tam’s Site.
Automakers are contacting dealers and changing recommended oils as certain blends are harder to get. Refineries are going on allocation.
Normie outlets like Motor Trend have picked up the story.
This has the potential to turn into another situation like toilet paper in the time of the ‘Rona. Dudes at BimmerPost were talking about picking up enough oil for their next two oil changes as far back as the end of March.
The original post I read, that I forgot where, talked about stores like AutoZone alerting their stores. That said, the Motor Trend story lines it out pretty good:
For now, the more immediate threat is likely to come in the form of higher prices, tighter availability for certain lubricants, and temporary substitutions where automaker specifications allow. But ILMA’s warning is clear: the modern lubricant supply chain is far more global, fragile, and specification-dependent than most drivers realize.
My pantry system extends to my garage. I typically keep 2-3 changes for the truck, plus filters, on hand. These stories had me stock up another 2 changes for the bike, which takes a more expensive oil. I’m sure it’ll work Ok with typical 10w-40. I don’t want to risk it.
When I changed it’s oil last, I wiped out O’Reilly’s supply of Lucas motorcycle oil. I don’t want to risk that again.
Enter Amazon:
It was about $2 cheaper than in any store, provided you could even find it. I need to swing by and get another two to have two complete changes. I have one filter, but I need another. Here’s something interesting. I went and bought another jug, plus a few single quarts (the truck takes 6 qts) at Walmart. Walmart is cheaper than about anyone else. But when I went to look at filters, the shelves were nearly bare. I’m sure the auto parts stores have them. But that’s what I don’t want to have happen when it’s oil change time.
When I started for the truck, I think I spent around $100. The bike, this time, is less. More like $60.
There may be scarcity, it could be like toilet paper during COVID. But there most certainly will be price increases.
Keep all the foodlines moving.
Don’t come cryin’ for more.
The signs were there, you should’ve bought connections before.
-Men at Work, Underground.
Inspected By Pat 