Clunker Database

Is your car officially a clunker? Search the database

Congress is poised to pass the so-called “Cash for Clunkers” program that would offer vouchers of $3,500 or $4,500 for consumers who turn in gas-guzzling vehicles for new, more fuel-efficient models. Passage is still not certain, however.

Eligble for trade-in: Cars and light trucks rated a combined (a blend of city and highway driving) 18 mpg or less; large pickups/SUVs at 15 mpg or less; work trucks built before 2002.

To find the mileage of your car or truck, first pick a ‘year’ from the drop-down list. Then choose the manufacturer and make. On the results page, you’re likely to find several variations of a particular model. You can use the other fields — transmission type, cylinders — to find the right vehicle. The mileage listed uses a new standard and will be lower than what was listed when the vehicle was made. The standards changed in 2008 to reflect more city driving and harsher driving conditions.

If you want more information, click on ‘details’ to learn whether the vehicle was hit by the ‘gas guzzler’ tax by the government or whether it has a turbo or supercharger. Note: Information about cars and trucks built between 1985 and 1997 is less complete in terms of engine descriptions.

If your car was built before 1985, you can get the mileage from www.fueleconomy.gov.

Database source: Detroit News “Is your car officially a clunker? Search the database”