A substance that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, produced by a combustion engine, is known as what?

The substance described as colorless, odorless, and tasteless that is produced by a combustion engine is carbon monoxide. This compound is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as gasoline or diesel. It is particularly insidious because it can accumulate in enclosed spaces and poses serious health risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning, as it binds to hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen.

Carbon dioxide, while also a product of combustion, is generally detectable by smell under high concentrations and significantly differs from carbon monoxide in terms of toxicity and source. Nitrogen is a common gas in the atmosphere and is not typically produced directly through combustion engines in a significant way, making it an irrelevant choice for this context. Ozone, while important in the atmosphere, is not a direct product of combustion from engines. Instead, it forms through chemical reactions involving pollutants in the presence of sunlight, which distinguishes it from the direct emissions of combustion engines. Therefore, carbon monoxide is the most accurate answer to this question based on the characteristics provided.