it is related unfortunately, the oil used to produce the base stocks come through the straight of Hormuse (sp?) and none is flowing and lubricant oil manufacturers are running out of stock .
it is going to get much worse.
I am not liking what I am seeing from multiple sources, I really don't like the panic buy ups people do when there is a big storm or something and they freak out and buy up everything, but I am going to get oil for this and the next oil change and hope things improve in the next year.
Valvoline is discontinuing the hybrid synthetic oil and extended performance synthetic oil.
advance auto parts list the hybrid at 50% off and autozone has the extended performance 50% off
may be related to the base oil supply crisis, buy it up while you can.