Admit it -- you've developed such a love-hate relationship with that rust bucket sitting in your driveway. You secretly desired to trade it in for one of those shiny new fuel-efficient models but didn't know how.

Well, here is your opportunity to do so and pocket up to $4,500 dollars while doing it, with compliments of the U.S. Government.

Obama Administration's new "Cash for Clunkers" program offers the owners of old vehicles trade-in credits up to $4,500, starting August 2009.

The idea is to encourage you to get rid of that gas guzzler for a high-efficiency  model that would reduce your fuel budget, help the national economy by saving gas and cutting down the gas imports, and help the environment by reducing emissions, all at the same time.

All those low-mileage Lincoln Town Cars, Ford Broncos, Chevrolet Blazers, Nissan Pathfinders etc. can benefit from this credit program.

"I've been sitting on the fence for about a year," said Jim Seegraves, 44, of East Lansing, Mich., according to a story published by the Huffington Report. Seegraves had been looking to replace his 2000 GMC Sierra pickup truck for some time. "This legislation will help me get over the hump and get the car that I want."

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office experts expect the "Cash for Clunkers" program help sell 1 million new cars between August and November 2009.

The U.S. auto industry in general is expected to sell about 40% les scars in 2009. So the program is welcomed by many as a much-needed shot in the arm for the ailing auto manufacturers and dealers.

This is how you can benefit from this program for vehicles manufactured in 1984 or after:

CAR OWNERS – you can enjoy $3,500 credit if you trade in an 18-miles-per-gallon vehicle for one that gets at least 22-mpg (as listed on the new car's window sticker). If the new car gets 28-mpg or better, than your credit jumps to $4,500.

TRUCK, MINIVAN and SUV OWNERS -- you can enjoy $3,500 credit if you trade in an 18-miles-per-gallon vehicle for one that gets at least 20-mpg (as listed on the new truck's window sticker). If the new truck, van or SUV gets 23-mpg or better, than you can get up to $4,500.

If you can trade in your vehicle for more than $4,500 this program obviously won’t make sense. But if that's not the case, perhaps it's time to give that old clunker a jump start and roll it down to the closest car dealership in your neighborhood.

If you'd like to learn how you can quickly and easily make your car run better, drive smoother, last longer, and cost you less at the dealer's, the auto mechanic's, and at the pumps, I recommend this best-seller e-book: "Cheap Car Tips and Tricks"