--- title: "Oil Changes Are Getting a Lot More Expensive at Walmart and Costco" date: "2026-09-28" modified: "2026-09-28" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/oil-changes-are-getting-a-lot-more-expensive-at-walmart-and-costco" categories: - "Aftermarket" - "Car Tech" - "News" --- # Oil Changes Are Getting a Lot More Expensive at Walmart and Costco ![SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 11: Cases of Kirkland Signature full synthetic motor oil are stacked at a Costco Wholesale store on March 11, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)]() *\Kevin Carter via Getty\* Costco, the wholesale [retailer]() that somehow manages to sell hot dog and soda combos for $1.50 despite insane inflation, is jacking up the price of its in-house oil change due to higher petroleum prices from the Iran war. So are Walmart and your local quick-lube shop, whether it's [independently owned or part of an enormous conglomerate]() like Valvoline. A recent investigation by *[The Wall Street Journal]()* found that the military conflict isn't just forcing oil companies to pass price increases on to the middle and little guys; it's also changing consumer behavior, with many drivers bringing their own oil to local shops to save a few bucks. A Detroit repair-shop owner interviewed by the publication said more and more customers are buying oil in bulk at retailers and paying lube shops only for labor. Well, that won't last very long. Per the report, 10 quarts of Costco's Kirkland motor oil now sells for $58 despite costing just $22 in May at a New Jersey club store. That's a $36 increase in roughly four months. Walmart also told the *WSJ* it raised the price of its oil-change services by a few dollars last month. A spokesperson for the quick-lube giant Valvoline, [owned by]() Saudi Arabia's Aramco, did not specify how much its consumer-facing prices have increased, but confirmed that its independent franchisees have raised prices after seeing a cost increase of roughly $5 to $7 per oil change. ![A mechanic at a 15 minute oil change store changes the oil in an suv. Automobile manufactures recommend owners change the oil in their car every 3,000 miles. (Photo by Najlah Feanny/Corbis via Getty Images)]() **Naljah Feanny via Getty** At its core, the issue is tied to the supply of Group III base oils, the ingredients in synthetic lubricants such as oil used for motor vehicles. According to the report, full synthetic and low-viscosity blends like 0W-20, 0W-16, and 0W-8 are most affected because the Persian Gulf's refining capacity is below normal due to the war. Typically, refiners could bolster or substitute these Group III products with Group II base oils, but even those are also in short supply now because refiners are prioritizing feedstocks. Any way you cut this cake, the end result is the same: supply is down, demand is as strong as ever. So what consumers are stuck with is higher costs and limited availability. As we explained [last week](), Costco is rationing motor oil purchases nationwide, limiting them to two per customer per week. And while the average car owner won't need more than that, it begs the question: what's next? It's like the pandemic's toilet paper shortage all over again. At the time of writing, the national average price for regular gasoline is approximately $4.48 per gallon, while diesel is at an all-time high of $6.45, per [AAA](). *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()