App note from Littelfuse about automotive electrical noises and where they came from and what to do with them in order to prevent it from going to your circuit. Link here (PDF)
As the control circuitry in the automobile continues to develop, there is a greater need to consider the capability of new technology in terms of survivability to the commonly encountered transients in the automotive environment. The circuit designer must ensure reliable circuit operation in this severe transient environment. The transients on the automobile power supply range form the severe, high energy, transients generated by the alternator/regulator system to the low-level “noise” generated by the ignition system and various accessories.