Why are cars exhaust almost always on the left side?

Question

Nearly every car on the market has their exhaust/tail pipe on the back left side of the bumper.

Answer 1

North America and colonies therof:

When 2 cars meet and pass each other on a highway, the right sides are beside each other, so that the exhaust fumes are furthest away from the driver's open window. When parked on a Freeway
in heavy traffic, amongst thousands of vehicles, the exhaust points to the ditch, not to the space between the two rows of cars, which,
as someone notes below, helps to diffuse the fumes away from the motorists. Not so great if you are a pedestrian, though, in slow moving city traffic. Black exhaust from diesel trucks, if not on a stack pointing up, are on the correct, or right side of the
vehicle. Very few vehicles have the exhaust pointing out on the left. This would be rude.

In British Comonwealth countries and colonies thereof:

The opposite is true.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

I've got your answer for you.

It depends on which country they are trying to market to. In the U.S., we drive on the right. Therefore, exhaust valves are aimed to the right so that if a black cloud gets made, it quickly leaves the road. Likewise, a left driving nation would receive cars that have the pipes towards the left.

So, why do pipes show up on the left in the U.S.? Look at the manufacturer of the vehicle and wonder where it was designed.

Answer 3

99% of cars on the market have the exhaust running down the right side underneath the car.

Answer 4

none of my cars do. pay better attention. on trucks its usually on the opposite side of the fuel tank. different manufacturers make different cars and they all just put it where it fits. what about cars and trucks with dual exhaust? i read some pretty elaborate answers explaining this phenomenon but don't believe them-the assumption is simply not true!

Answer 5

most of the time this is done because of the location of the intake manifold on them,they usually locate it opposite of the side the intake is on,,also it has always been a practice to run it on that side,,even some of the older ones were like that too,,i hope this helps.

Answer 6

The way the factory made them. How about trucks...Most come out the right side. What about that?

Answer 7

the location of the engine....but not necessarily......some of the cars has both left and right (ferrari) n some of them has it in the middle....

Answer 8

mine doesnt....and a lot dont

ps- the above answer is a guess....it made me laugh too!

Answer 9

no they don't., look again