Global shortage has led to motor oil rationing at Costco

全球短缺导致好市多（Costco）对机油实施限购

Changing your own oil has traditionally been one of the easiest ways to save money on car maintenance. For Costco members, Kirkland Signature synthetic oil has made the DIY approach particularly attractive thanks to its relatively low price. That bargain has suddenly become much less compelling. According to The Auto Wire, a 10-quart case of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil is now listed at $57.99, up from prices that hovered in the mid-$30 range for years.

自行更换机油一直是节省汽车保养费用最简单的方法之一。对于好市多（Costco）会员来说，Kirkland Signature 合成机油凭借其相对低廉的价格，使得 DIY 保养变得极具吸引力。然而，这种性价比优势如今已大打折扣。据《The Auto Wire》报道，一箱 10 夸脱装的 Kirkland Signature 全合成机油目前售价为 57.99 美元，而多年来其价格一直徘徊在 30 多美元左右。

The price increase isn’t the only unusual development. Costco has also introduced purchase limits, restricting members to two units every seven days, meaning customers can buy a maximum of 20 quarts during that period. Motor oil isn’t typically something shoppers expect to see rationed, which makes the restriction noteworthy. The Auto Wire points to tightening lubricant supply alongside the increasingly expensive and complicated process of producing oil that meets modern engine requirements.

价格上涨并不是唯一的异常情况。好市多还引入了限购措施，限制会员每七天只能购买两箱，这意味着顾客在此期间最多只能购买 20 夸脱机油。机油通常不是消费者预期会看到被限购的商品，这使得该限制措施格外引人注目。《The Auto Wire》指出，润滑油供应趋紧，加之生产符合现代发动机要求的机油过程日益昂贵且复杂，是导致这一现象的原因。

Motor Oil Isn’t As Simple As It Used To Be

机油已不再像过去那样简单

Today’s lubricants have to cope with turbochargers, direct injection, and increasingly demanding engines while meeting tougher industry specifications. Kirkland’s 5W-30 synthetic, for example, carries General Motors’ dexos1 Gen 3 approval. Oils carrying that designation must satisfy GM’s testing requirements and licensing program. Modern API and ILSAC standards also require additional testing, including protection against low-speed pre-ignition, which can be particularly problematic for turbocharged direct-injection engines. That means the oil sitting on Costco shelves is a considerably more sophisticated product than its basic plastic container might suggest. Developing, testing, and certifying those formulations adds costs before the product even reaches retailers.

如今的润滑油必须应对涡轮增压器、缸内直喷以及要求日益严苛的发动机，同时还要满足更严格的行业规范。例如，Kirkland 的 5W-30 合成机油获得了通用汽车（General Motors）的 dexos1 Gen 3 认证。带有该标识的机油必须满足通用的测试要求和许可计划。现代 API 和 ILSAC 标准也要求进行额外测试，包括针对低速早燃（LSPI）的保护，这对涡轮增压直喷发动机来说尤为关键。这意味着好市多货架上的机油远比其朴素的塑料包装看起来要复杂得多。在产品到达零售商之前，开发、测试和认证这些配方本身就增加了成本。

Supply Is Tightening, Too

供应也在趋紧

The Auto Wire also points to pressure further upstream in the petroleum industry. Base oil used to produce lubricants comes from the same refining system responsible for gasoline and diesel, leaving refiners to balance production according to market conditions. When transportation fuels offer stronger returns, lubricant base-stock supply can face additional pressure. Those costs eventually work their way through manufacturers and distributors before reaching consumers. Costco isn’t limiting only its Kirkland product, either. The Drive reports that Mobil 1 purchases are also restricted, although its limit is considerably higher at five units per member.

《The Auto Wire》还指出了石油行业上游面临的压力。用于生产润滑油的基础油来自与汽油和柴油相同的炼油系统，这使得炼油厂必须根据市场情况平衡产量。当运输燃料（汽油/柴油）提供更高的回报时，润滑油基础油的供应就会面临额外压力。这些成本最终会通过制造商和分销商传导至消费者。好市多不仅限制了其 Kirkland 产品，据《The Drive》报道，美孚 1 号（Mobil 1）机油也受到了限购，尽管其限额较高，每位会员限购五箱。

DIY Oil Changes Are Getting Pricier

DIY 更换机油正变得越来越贵

The biggest consequence will be felt by drivers who service their own cars. Once a Kirkland 10-quart pack costs nearly $58, adding a quality filter can narrow the price advantage DIY maintenance traditionally held over some independent shops. The purchase limit is arguably the bigger warning sign. Seeing motor oil rationed at Costco is unusual, and combined with the sharp price increase, it shows just how much pressure the lubricant market is currently facing.

最大的影响将由那些自行保养车辆的驾驶员承担。当一箱 10 夸脱的 Kirkland 机油价格接近 58 美元时，再加上一个优质机油滤清器，DIY 保养相对于某些独立维修店的价格优势就会缩小。限购措施可以说是一个更明显的警示信号。在好市多看到机油被限购是不寻常的，再加上价格大幅上涨，这表明润滑油市场目前正面临巨大的压力。