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NHTSA Updates Fuel Economy Website for CARS
Today we noticed a change when we visited the official website for the Cash for Clunkers program (www.cars.gov) and clicked on the link for fueleconomy.gov.
The website functionality has been updated and changed to provide a “guided tour” to allow consumers to get the EPA mpg estimates for their cars. The new features will clearly tell consumers if their car or truck qualifies for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).
A New Look is Welcome
The updated link for the website is: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsSearchIntro.shtml and when you go to this new page, you will see some introduction text and a simple button.
When you click on the button, you are taken through a series of questions starting with whether you are trading in a car or a truck. You are then asked to select the year of the vehicle you want to check. I selected 1988 and the website displayed this URL: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsSelectModel.jsp?year=1998
Then I clicked on Buick and this page was displayed: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsSelectModel.jsp?year=1998&make=Buick. Afer you select a model a summary page is displayed as shown below.
The New Website Is Now Very Clear
When you do get to a final screen, the car you selected is CLEARLY identified and consumers get a message whether the car qualifies or not.
We applaud the NHTSA for making these changes to the website to avoid consumers having to read charts that have numbers that can be confused. This will also help car dealers by cutting down on simple verification phone calls from consumers.
Data Warning
One word of caution for consumers and dealers. Over the past month, numbers have been changing on the website according to consumer complaints. You can read some of the complaints in the comments section below.
We advise that once you have verified your car, that you print out the page before you go to the dealership. For dealers, make sure you print a copy of the list and date and time stamp it. This will assist you in case after you make the trade, the number change and the website does not show the car as qualifying anymore.
75 responses on “NHTSA Updates Fuel Economy Website for CARS”
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i have a 2002 jeep grand cherokee limited. irt is as beautiful car, but needs a new transmition and god only knows what else. i was told of cash for clunkers and i was wanting to know if you could tell me a specific price i would be able to get for this car. please contact me back. thanks
My 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L is listed as getting 21 mpg and therefore doesn´t qualify for the program. The 3.4L engine however does quality in the ’97 Lumina.
I have had this car since it was brand new and it never got 21 MPG City/Hiway. Maybe 16 MPG on its best day after a tune up.
I feel I and others that own these mid-1990′s Chevrolets really got the shaft. The MPG they were given is a lie. Someone is manipulating this to keep certain cars from participating.
My vehicle is a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLS. It is not listed in your qulaifying vehicles. My vehicle is 13 years old and cannot possibly get decent mileage.
We thought we were going to catch a break with this CARS Program. We certainly have a Clunker! It’s a 1993 Dodge Spirit which we bought brand new. It served us well with nearly 180,000 miles logged, we’re just hanging on to it because we use it for local commuting/transportation. It is just about ready for the graveyard. This incentive was just the ticket to trade-in for a hybrid model, helping both us and the environment. Too bad, it’s listed at 20MPG, 2MPG over the cut-off. This is insane, ridiculous and fictitious!! The actual MPG is closer to 12MPG. Something’s wrong somewhere…
yeah my 98 altima does not get near 18 mpg yet it says it gets more than that and i dont qualify, which is crappy cause i do not think its going to live much longer
I, too, am in the same situation as Patrick. It says my 1987 Oldsmobile gets 19 mpg and needs 18 to qualify, yet, it won’t pass inspection this years because of emissions, even after spending $700 in parts (not including labor)!!! YOU CAN’T WIN!!!!
The site states that my 2000 Dodge Neon gets 24mpg, and while it is not on its last leg.. it certainly has never gotten that good of gas mileage the entire time I’ve owned it!
So much for investing in a hybrid any time soon!
The website claims that my 1995 Jeep gets 19 mpg…this is not accurate. I have been driving this car for 8 years and have never gotten that good of gas mileage. Perhaps when it was brand new it was capable of this, but as engines get wear and tear they get less and less. My car makes noises, is barely hanging on, and fits the description of a “clunker.” Without the financial assistance though I cannot afford a new car. But since the government claims that it is correct, there is nothing I can do, even though it is off by one mpg. That is terrible and now I’m stuck driving my beat up car. Thanks US government, you’re awesome.
The website claims that my 1995 Jeep gets 19 mpg…this is not accurate. I have been driving this car for 8 years and have never gotten that good of gas mileage. But since the government claims that it is correct, there is nothing I can do, even though it is off by one mpg. That is terrible and now I’m stuck driving my beat up car. Thanks US government, you’re awesome.
My dealer will not let me take my vehicle until the government pays them. But in 45 days my first payment is do. They said even if they have not received their check or I have not taken possesion of my vehicle I have to make payments. Is this legal?
i checked my combined mpg a month ago and now it stating more than what was previously posted.
I have a 2001 Toyota Seinna, I have been driving it for over 8 years, so I would like to think I know a little about my car. My mini van is rated at 17 city, 23 highway miles per gallon. There is absolutely no way this is true, and it wouldn’t bother me but now that I need a new car and want to help the environment I cant! Combined MPG is rated at 19 on the NHTSA website! This needs an update immediately. Please take the time to drive any 2001 Seinna, it is a gas guzzler and definitely should be on the clunkers list.
can cash for clunkers be used from a car dealer???
My 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L is listed as getting 21 mpg and therefore doesn´t qualify for the program, but the 3.4L would. My car in it´s current condition never gets 21mpg! My friend´s car (a 2001 Toyota) is in way better shape and makes more mpg than mine and his car qualifies (just because it is listed as getting 18)! His car is in perfect condition and runs and looks like new. My car is a real “clunker”, making loud noises when driving and it should actually off the streets already. I would like to trade it in and get a new one, but can´t afford it without the program.
Something is wrong with the way the criteria are made for this program!
I own a 1995 Buick Riviera. My car does not qualify because they have it listed as combined 20 mpg rating. This 20mpg might have been new 14 years ago but it sure does not apply to the present.I probably get about 12-14 if lucky the way the engine is. I would like to trade it in for the cash for clunkers but because of this I can’t. Was this considered when the fuel economy ratings were decided about that the car does not get the same gas mileage as when new.