Main causes of car pollution?

Cars genrally pollute in many different stages, for example initial production will pollute due to the electricity needed will often be generated by coal- or gas- fired power stations. Painting will pollute due to paint particulates becoming suspended in air, however adequate enclosure and filtering minimises this in most factories.

It is generally accepted, however, that the most polluting stage in a cars life is during its use, by burning fuel and emitting it to the atmosphere. This includes Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) and any number of un-burnt Hydrocarbons or other carbon particulates. Over large cities, for example, the orange-brown haze in the air is due to this varied pollution.

A final stage is the disposal of the car, all the fluids (motor oil, antifreeze etc) are all harmful to the environment and so their disposal needs to be done carefully and in a controlled manor.

The main causes of car pollution are outdated motorized vehicles, the mass production of internal combustion engines, poor transportation circuitry, increase in larger cylinder engine demand, high concentrations of people in small area, overpopulation, high friction of four tires, lack of carpooling, over commuting, ease of getting licenced, poor maintenance, over acceleration, NASCAR and other auto racing, taxi cabs, manufacture of heavy vehicles rather than lighter ones, complacency, laziness, procrastination, indifference, ignorance, repetition, lack of plant life, deforestation, national wholesale distribution, poor road construction/maintenance, police patrolling, military training and action, drive thrus, parades, funerals and geographic separation of family.


<-- all of you are goin around the point of the question.. while one of you got it right in the paragraph (It is generally accepted, however, that the most polluting stage in a cars life is during its use, by burning fuel and emitting it to the atmosphere. This includes Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) and any number of un-burnt Hydrocarbons or other carbon particulates. Over large cities, for example, the orange-brown haze in the air is due to this varied pollution. ) you missed the key factor.. the gas it drink, the oil it lubricates with all creates the pollution.. but the main cause is the fumes that come out of the exhaust, carbon monoxide. they asked for the main causes of car pollution not the factories that made it, not the process of recycling the oils etc like that, what the main causes of pollution from cars are as followed: poor maintenance (keep the oils changed, air filter changed and seals in good condition) sad but because people dont pay attention to there vehicles they themselves cause 3/4 of the polution in the air from the cars.. you need to do maintenance on your vehicle at least every 3-6 months give or take what your owners manual tells your to do. poor seals like, the rear main seal or head gasket or head gasket are the worst pollutants, people neglect them and where ever the car goes they pollute the ground.. so its not the cars fault in all aspect.. its the person who owns it. Im a mechanic and its sad to see a car that has been mistreated.