Amid the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East that could lead to a worldwide shortage of oil and fuel supplies, Toyota has released a new service bulletin to its service departments, preparing them for what could occur in the future.
According to a report by The Drive, Toyota has warned of a potential shortage of 0W-8 and 0W-16 oil grades, and has laid out substitution guidelines that would help dealers manage the demand for the affected oil grades.
Toyota’s hybrid vehicle owners could be affected by a shortage of the oil grades in question. However, as per the bulletin, their motor oil could be replaced by oil of a different grade, a practice advised by the Japanese manufacturer for one service interval.
a blue toyota rav parked in front of a house
The report shared tweets by Costa Kapothanasis (@CostaKapo on X), the owner of a large chain of oil change outfits, who posted an image of Toyota’s “PANT” (Parts & Accessories News Today) bulletin dated April 30, 2026, which explains the current scenario and lists substitution guidelines.
Toyota’s service bulletin states:
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“Toyota and our supplier ExxonMobil may experience challenges in fulfilling demand for Genuine Toyota Motor Oil (GTMO) 0W-8 and 0W-16 oils due to production and logistics constraints within the global petrochemical supply chain. While Toyota and ExxonMobil continue to work diligently to maintain supply, the following substitution guidelines are recommended for dealers to help manage the demand for the affected products. These measures may allow ExxonMobil to maintain a consistent service-level fill for dealers and help provide continued support for our guests.
“TMNA recommends dealers follow these substitution guidelines one day per week for 0W-8 and one day every other week for 0W-16 or use the substitution percentages set forth below until further written notice. This approach is intended to temporarily reduce demand for both oil weights and support continued national supply.”
Toyota has made it clear that these guidelines are meant for temporary use only, until supply is restored to adequate levels. Manufacturers recommend specific oil grades for each vehicle for good reason, and a one-off deviation, as suggested by Toyota, may not result in significant changes in performance and drivability.