Whether it's worth the expense is a subject of frequent, inconclusive debate among enthusiasts. Notably, one Corvette's warranty is voided if conventional oil is ever used. When your car's engine is badly worn or out of tune, the tailpipe emissions of such noxious byproducts as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter are greatly increased. Motor oil facilitates the combustion process, but is not involved in the chemistry, and thus its content is not a significant factor in emissions. Oil is a cause of some emissions when your car is burning oil, of course.
Most economists say no.
The classic assumption is that environmental regulations raise prices, force downsizing and cause companies to relocate operations to environmentally careless countries overseas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the increase would rarely be enough to force plant closings or layoffs. Department of Labor statistics show that workers are 500 times more likely to be laid off by factors other than environmental regulations. A few well-publicized examples, such as the loggers hurt by spotted owl protection in the Pacific Northwest, support the idea of regulations' negative economic impact on the job market. This won't help loggers much, but the economy will remain prosperous.