Should you use synthetic motor oil in your car? Environmentally speaking, the answer is easy. You should use synthetic oil because it considerably reduces the amount of dirty waste oil that needs to be disposed of. Dirty waste oil has often ended up in landfills or underground waste oil tanks, and leaks from these places have caused soil and groundwater pollution all over the country.

Also, synthetic motor oil is not made from oil. This means that using synthetic motor oil reduces the amount of drilling and refining that needs to take place. Both activities have also added to our nation's pollution problem. So environmentally speaking, synthetic oil seems more appealing.

But, it costs a lot more than regular oil. And, synthetic motor oil may or may not be recommended by your automobile manufacturer. You would not want to use a product that is not recommended by your automobile manufacturer because doing so may alter your rights under your vehicle warranty. Don't do anything until you look into this issue.

That having been said, synthetic motor oil has been on the market for many years now and a lot of people are convinced that it is the right choice for them. It certainly has undergone extensive field testing. For example, when Mobil developed its Mobil 1 product, the company did high-mileage tests in two Oldsmobiles. The cars were placed on a treadmill and run for 200,000 miles. At the end of the treadmill test, the cars' engines were torn down and found to be in perfect condition. The cars were also reported to be much thinner.

Then, the company purchased a BMW 325i and tested it for one million miles. After four years of treadmilling 24 hours a day, often at 85 miles an hour, the engine was taken apart. From this, Mobil learned that its synthetic oil really worked.

Synthetic oils are chemically created just for the purpose of operating automobiles and other engines under real life conditions. This is contrasted with conventional oil, which is at first dirty and has to be refined to serve its purpose. Chemicals are added to conventional oil so as to bolster its natural capabilities. But synthetic oil does not have to be "bolstered," it is manufactured to specifications developed with long term, hot engine use in mind.

And cars are running hotter and hotter. New engines often run hotter than 240° F. Many synthetic oils are chemically engineered to ensure that they continue to function for an extended period under these operating conditions.

Conventional oils tend to not operate as efficiently, for an extended period, under these extreme conditions.

Synthetic oils are capable of providing dependable, long-lasting performance and protection that helps equipment last longer. Many synthetic oils last three times longer than conventional oils. This results in both convenience and savings for do-it-yourselfers, and much less oil that needs to be disposed.

Synthetic oils may also improve fuel econcomy because they have a higher "lubricity" than conventional lubes. This means they provide more lubrication protection, and as a result, there is less friction on moving parts, less heat and less wear. There are also some resulting fuel savings. Finally, these man made oils don't just work well in the heat. While many petroleum oils thicken at temperatures of 25° F, many synthetic oils continue to function at 50 degrees below zero - and sometimes even colder. This allows for more reliable winter starting and faster lubrication for your car's engine parts. Once again, this temperature benefit also provides better fuel economy.

What makes sense for you? If your auto manufacturer's warranty permits the use of synthetic oils, you might want to try them out. While the initial oil change cost will be higher, in the long run, this change may benefit your pocketbook and the environment.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.