Final answer:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the colorless, odorless, and tasteless substance produced by the incomplete combustion in a combustion engine. It can cause health issues by impairing oxygen delivery and can be fatal in high doses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colorless, odorless, and tasteless substance produced by a combustion engine that the question refers to is carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, such as those occurring in gasoline-powered vehicles. It interferes with the oxygen delivery in the body and can cause health problems, and in high concentrations, can be lethal.
While nitrogen oxides, like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), are also produced by combustion engines, they are not colorless, odorless, or tasteless. Instead, NO₂ is a reddish-brown toxic gas contributing to smog and acid rain. To reduce emissions of harmful substances like CO and NO₂, modern vehicles are equipped with a catalytic converter, which transforms these pollutants into less harmful products before they are released into the atmosphere.