Press Room

"Tune In & Tune Up" Program Demonstrates Importance Of Checking Cars & Cleaning Air

First 200 "Gross Polluting Vehicles" Receive $50 for Smog Repairs

Valley CAN ("Clean Air Now") today unveiled its first "Tune In & Tune Up" Smog Program in Tracy. The program is designed to educate the public about the importance of smog maintenance and the significant effects of so-called "gross polluting vehicles" on the Valley's air quality. Valley CAN will help pay for smog repairs on vehicles that participate in the program.

Valley CAN is a charitable non-profit organization created to help demonstrate and support real-world solutions to improving air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.

"Tune In & Tune Up" is open to the public on a voluntary basis with no paperwork, no governmental involvement and no registration required. Financed by Valley CAN, the first 200 vehicles that test as gross polluters at the demonstration will receive coupons worth $50 to help pay for smog repair or air quality maintenance to their vehicle. All participants in the program will receive a static cling window decal reminding others to "Tune In" to the air quality problem and "Tune Up" their cars to reduce air pollution.

"Gross polluting vehicles are a large source of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley. This program allows anyone to test their vehicle's emissions and even receive $50 toward the repair of their vehicle," said Gus Freshwater, president of Valley CAN.

Participating in the program is easy and quick. Specialists using remote sensing technology will allow members of the public to simply drive their vehicles through the device. Within seconds, a computer registers the vehicle's emissions.

Drivers of the first 200 determined to be gross polluters get $50 coupons redeemable at Joe's Smog Shack in Tracy. The coupons expire in August and are only redeemable for the use of smog related repairs.

"I am thrilled to be a partner in this program. This is an excellent opportunity for people who need financial assistance in repairing their car's smog problems - and a great tool to educate the public about the importance of maintaining their car," said Joe Graw, owner of Joe's Smog Shack.

The remote sensing equipment, also funded by Valley CAN, is being administered by Environmental Systems Products. Remote sensing, when applied to vehicle emissions testing, refers to the measurement of vehicle exhaust emissions with roadside monitoring systems (known as remote sensing devices or RSD's), as the vehicle passes by without interfering with or altering the vehicle's progress. Infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light is directed across the road and passively reflected back to detectors that monitor light intensity at characteristic wavelengths. The amount of light absorbed is translated into the exhaust concentration of the three regulated pollutants of interest --carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

"The Tune In & Tune Up Program is a another example of how we can all make a difference by recognizing our vehicle's emissions and maintaining our cars," said Tracy City Council Member Evelyn Tolbert. "There are many methods to solving air pollution that we must address, such as attracting higher paying jobs into Tracy to cut down on commuting. We all must help clean our air now."

"Tune In & Tune Up" is open to the public at the West Valley Mall from June 13-15 located in Parking Lot LOCATION.

For more information about Valley CAN "Clean Air Now" and "Tune Up & Tune In" visit www.valley-can.org or contact Tom Knox at (916) 325-2908 or Shelley McKenry at (559) 438-2040.