the automobile is one of the inventions that have made a decisive contribution to human mobility, and consequently it has become an inseparable part of modern human society. however, it is through this widespread use that its negative impacts on the environment have become so highly visible. achievements in improving the ecological characteristics of the automobile are highly impressive: a modern car emits only a fraction of the amounts of noise and exhaust pollutants produced by its predecessors 30 years ago. the contributions to this book were written by experts, most of whom have been actively involved in the development of modern automobiles and their combustion engines for more than 30 years. they have participated in all phases of the ecological development of the automobile and summarize their experience and know-how in this book .