Chicago drivers are paying more for routine oil changes as rising motor oil costs put pressure on local auto repair shops amid supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.At Norwood Auto Service on the Northwest Side, owner Erik Scheidt said the price of the oil the shop buys has risen about 50% since June. As a result, the price for customers has gone up as well: A five-quart synthetic oil change that cost about $65 to $75 a few months ago now costs roughly $95 to $110.“When things go up, I mean, everything goes to the customer normally because it’s hard to absorb other costs,” Scheidt said.The increases come as the war has disrupted supplies of base oils used to manufacture motor oil, particularly the specialized oils used in synthetic lubricants. The supply crunch has pushed up the cost of synthetic motor oil, with auto service providers either absorbing the higher costs or passing them to customers.At Chicago Auto Repair in West Town, manager Alex Perez said the shop has also raised its oil-change prices by about $10 since last year.“We try not to, but unfortunately we have to,” Perez said.At Fred’s Wrigleyville Garage Auto Repair, owner Fred Greenfield said the shop has raised its price for a 5-quart oil change from $75 to $90 over the last four to six months. He said the shop’s cost to purchase oil has risen about 10% over the same period.Prices are also rising at major retailers like Walmart. According to the Wall Street Journal, the big-box store raised prices for motor oil and oil change services over the summer. Still, the three Chicago autobody locations interviewed by the Sun-Times said they have not seen customers significantly change their behavior because of the higher prices.Greenfield explained customers have not complained, in part because he considers the prices competitive. Scheidt similarly said customer volume has remained steady.“When people say stuff, they're just like, ‘Yeah, everything's gotten expensive,’” Scheidt said.But if costs continue rising, customers could see another increase. Greenfield said he expects to raise his oil-change price again if his own costs go up.“The oil is like any other commodity,” Greenfield said. “If the price of eggs goes up, then the price of eggs costs more to the consumer.” ...read more read less