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Each Thursday, the Pick 'n' Pull wrecking yard in south Stockton smashes cars turned in through the state's program, where people with pollution-generating vehicles can exchange them for cash. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Cash for clunkers
Programs aim to get you out of that junker, and into a vehicle with better gas mileage
Have a car with bad gas mileage? Or a car that failed the smog test? You may qualify for a few grand if you turn in that clunker to a wrecking yard.
The federal and state governments, plus the local air pollution control district, have separate programs that vary in format and qualifications.
The state has expanded its program to provide incentives up to $4,000 to vehicle owners who turn in their cars with the worst smog-forming tailpipe emissions.
And President Barack Obama signed a bill last week giving credits of up to $4,500 for cars at least 25 years old that get 18 miles per gallon or less.
You can't receive more than one credit, said Mike Anderson, manager of Pick 'n' Pull in south Stockton, the only wrecking yard in San Joaquin County participating in the state program.
"We do have a pretty consistent calling," Anderson said. "(Vehicles) have to run when they bring that in to us."
Pick 'n' Pull, located on Clark Drive, east of Highway 99 and south of Mariposa Road, participates in the state program, but Anderson said he doesn't know if the federal government will contract with the company.
Federal program
U.S. Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS)
The law requires dealers to be registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to participate in the program. Agency officials are working to register interested dealers as soon as the registration process begins. As dealers are registered, they will be listed on the administration's Web site.
For more information, visit www.cars.gov.
State of California
Beginning April 1, 2010, drivers could get $1,000 if they turn their car into a licensed dismantler. Low-income Californians would be eligible for $1,500.The regulation also provides a voucher between $2,000 and $2,500 to drivers in two of the state's most polluted regions — the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.
The vouchers could be redeemed at new and used dealerships for a fuel efficient car that's four years old or newer. Low-income Californians could buy a fuel efficient car up to eight years old.
The program is administered by the California Air Resources Board.
For more information, visit www.cashforjunkcars.net.
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
For more information, visit www.valleyair.org/Grant_Programs/PASS/pass_eng.htm.
Source: New York Times, The Associated Press, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
Some 300,000 California drivers who own cars older than model year 1976 will be solicited by local air districts.
The state had a different car scrap program, but it was limited to cars newer than model year 1976 that failed the state's smog check.
The Legislature, in 2007, directed the board to expand the program to get more polluting cars off roads. The state put the program on hold last September due to the budget crisis. The program awarded $1,000 for people to junk their cars or $500 toward repairs required to pass a smog test, according to Kevin Wing, who heads a separate auto scrap and salvage program for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Air regulators strengthened the Legislature's directive by providing Californians with vouchers to buy fuel-efficient cars. To qualify, cars that are model year 2009 or older would have to get about 28 miles per gallon. The standard would increase to 42 miles per gallon for model years 2010 to 2015.
For now, the federal and state programs would not overlap. The federal program runs through November whereas the state incentives begin April 1. However, state regulators were concerned Congress might extend federal incentives into next year.
The air pollution control district plans a new program on Monday called the Polluting Automobile Scrap and Salvage Program. By calling the district, vehicle owners can find out whether they are eligible for $5,000 toward a replacement vehicle or $1,000 for people who don't qualify for the $5,000, Wing said.
The $5,000 won't go into the car owner's pocket; it will go directly to the auto dealership as a credit, Wing said. The program requires customers to purchase a car built in 2006 or later unless the customer is considered low-income. Then they can buy a car as old as a 2003 model, Wing said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.
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Reader Feedback
Rhodie wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:15 PM:
" Jerome, while there can be many reasons for the service light to come on, sometimes it`s nothing more that your gas cap isn`t on tight enough."
My check engine light is on for the third time in a year. Last two times I had it in guess what it was for? The sensor that says if there is something wrong with the engine is faulty. The mechanic reset the sensor and the light goes off, for no charge. Now it's on for a third time and I'm wondering if I take it in once more or ignore it until I hear something clanking around in there. That's why I like bikes, when there's a problem with the enigine you know right away, usually because it is laying on the side of the bike huffing for more air;) "
dogs4you wrote on Jul 3, 2009 6:55 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Jul 3, 2009 6:00 PM:
While I am not a big fan of smog checks, if the state still allowed cars to operate without any standards at all, the entire state would look like LA on a bad air day. It does serve a purpose, something along the lines that ethel gasoline was discontinued many years ago, to get the lead out of the air we breath. MTBE was an outstanding additive at keeping the air quality at an acceptive level. It was relieved of duty due to being put into old steel tanks that rusted out an allowed MTBE to leach into the drinking water. Now all gas tanks are fiberglass, bring back MTBE. "
Cogito wrote on Jul 3, 2009 1:46 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Jul 3, 2009 1:33 PM:
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 12:13 PM:
I agree...I think this smog check thing is a nightmarish scam. Horrendously expensive and troublesome if your car fails to pass on the first try. Owning a pre-76 vehicle exempts you, but then you're driving a comparatively primitive
machine that pollutes a lot and drinks even more. Like a cow. (I do love old cars, though! But they no longer make satisfactory daily drivers for most of us) "
dyan wrote on Jul 3, 2009 12:06 PM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Jul 3, 2009 11:36 AM:
So, taking it to someone to determine why the light is on costs around $100.00. An Internet cursory investigation into the codes for my vehicle reveals that the light could be illuminated for many reasons - not nearly a majority of which have anything to do with smog or emissions problems.
Once I get the light turned off I am required to have the vehicle smogged again. And since I used a coupon for a reduced price at the facility that first tested it, I'm not qualified for a free re-test. However, the guy who performed the test knew before he ever entered the information into the computer that the light was on and that it would fail. Did he have the ethics to inform me before separating me from my money? Nope.
It's all bogus. "
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 11:03 AM:
Agreed- and today's V-6 engines can be real screamers...300+ HP! Of course, that means fuel. Horsepower takes energy (fuel), any way you look at it. Its tied to the laws of physics, ie, the energy that a specific unit of fuel can yield...ya just can't get something for nothing. I have a Solara V-6 and a nearly identical 4 cylinder model.. The V-6 can manage mid 20s if babied; the 4 can get low 30s. Of course, the V6 has more sauce when pushed. Oh- I sold an 8 MPG big-block V8 classic Mustang for the 4 banger Solara...it just cost too much to run that fine old warhorse -but it was SURE fun. I young fellow bought her and is in love with it. I've succumbed to practicality and comfort in my later midlife. "
dogs4you wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:34 AM:
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 8:51 AM:
Its perfectly patriotic to take the government up on financial incentive programs that they offer. Do you not take the tax deduction on your house mortgage and property taxes? Same thing. I'll be glad to surrender my old-school vehicle for a new efficient one to help the cause, if its economically advantageous to me to do so. Otherwise, heck no...the old Boiler runs fine and gets the job done...and I'll keep my money in the bank. My point here is that this Clunkers program -engineered to get gashog polluters off the road AND to spur purchases of new cars for the ailing auto industry- illogically missed the boat by restricting the pool to 1984 and newer. Where's the logic? Why not a 1983? or 1982? 1978?? Or older? The older they are, the worse they are, in general. I just don't understand the logic of restricting the age of the "clunker". "
Cogito wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:46 AM:
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:24 AM:
Cogito wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:22 AM:
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:17 AM:
jramagic wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:15 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.