Instructions to Drivers of the DPWTC and the Bureau of Posts re: Energy Conservation

February 4, 1976 REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 07-76 SUBJECT : Implementation of Instructions to Drivers of the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications & Bureau of Posts re: Energy Conservation TO : All Revenue Officers, Employees and others concerned Quoted hereunder are Instructions to Drivers of the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications & Bureau of Posts which set forth guidelines in the Energy Conservation and promotion of wise and efficient use of existing energy resources: " INSTRUCTIONS TO DRIVERS Energy conservation requires the wise and efficient use of existing energy resources. For drivers, this means making the most of a liter of fuel. Here are some ways of avoiding the wasteful use of fuel: 1. Keep speed down Tests conducted with popular cars have indicated a 25% improvement in fuel economy when speeds are reduced from 110 to 80 kilometers per hour. Wind resistance increases as car speed increases, and more fuel is thus required to move the car at higher speeds. 2. Avoid 'Jack Rabbit' starts Gradual acceleration in city driving can save as much as one kilometer per liter compared to rapid acceleration. That's because it takes a lot of extra energy to increase an automobile's acceleration rate. A power valve, located in the carburetor, lets more fuel into the cylinders under full acceleration. In addition, an acceleration provides extra fuel to avoid hesitation when the gas pedal is jobbed. 3. Keep speed constant Driving at steady speeds helps to save fuel. Unnecessary acceleration activates the accelerator pump and power valve, thus injecting extra and wasted fuel into the system. 4. Anticipate stops It is best to plan ahead for all possible traffic conditions. This allows for gradual, rather than abrupt, stops, and this smooth driving contributes to better fuel economy. In addition, gradual braking prolongs the life of brake linings. 5. Plan all trips It is wise to plan all trips to cover as many errands as possible at one time. In City driving, a one kilometer trip with the engine cold may decrease fuel economy by as much as 70 percent. Combustion is relatively insufficient in a cold engine, and the automatic choke must supply more fuel to keep a cold engine running smoothly. Longer trips which allow the engine to warm up result in better fuel economy. 6. Avoid engine idling An idle engine wastes energy; it does no useful work while consuming fuel. Excessive idling may also shorten engine life if the practice is repeated over a long term period. As a guide, drivers should not idle engines for more than three minutes, if possible. 7. Warm engine by driving Better economy can be obtained by driving the car to warm the engine., rather than allowing it to idle. This speeds up the warming process, and thus saves fuel. The driver must remember, however, that a cold engine does not respond as quickly, so car must be exercised in all traffic situations where engine response is critical. 8. Minimize the use of air conditioners Air-conditioning puts a substantial load on the engine, and should, therefore, be used only on the hottest days. While driving at 50 kilometers per hour, for example, use of the air conditioner can result in a fuel economy loss of one kilometer per liter. As a result, use of the air conditioner cuts fuel mileage by 10 percent. 9. Maintain correct tire pressure Under-inflated tires reduce fuel mileage slightly. Soft tires also wear out quicker, and may adversely affect vehicle handling, thus creating potential hazard. Many manufacturers recommend increasing the tire air pressure by approximately four pounds before high-speed driving. Tires should not, however, be inflated above the maximum recommended pressure. 10. Keep the engine tuned-up Spark plug misfiring may result in a significant increase in fuel consumption. In laboratory tests at speeds of 50 and 80 kilometers per hour, for example, spark plugs misfiring 10 percent of the time resulted in an eight percent increase in fuel consumption. In addition, ignition timing deviating from the manufacturer's recommended setting resulted in a significant decrease in fuel economy. For example, a 10 degrees retard in basic spark timing may result in an average loss of .55 kilometer per liter at speeds of 50, 80, and 110 kilometers per hour. Drivers should be reminded that these and other obstacles to efficient engine performance can be eliminated with a complete engine tune-up. 11. Service air filter A dirty filter can cause decrease in fuel economy, and a decrease in power output, by restricting the flow of air to the engine. Drivers should therefore be advised to change the air filter at 19,000 or 38,000 kilometer intervals, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In addition, frequent air filter servicing is required if considerable driving is done in sandy or dusty conditions. 12. Avoid fuel spillage Following usual goods practices at the dispensing area to prevent spilling and wasting fuel. For example, avoid over-filling the fuel tank. 13. Don't ride the brakes Even slight foot pressure on the brake pedal can apply the brakes, especially power brakes. This wastes fuel which might be used to move the car. It also wears out the brakes faster than normal. 14. Keep transmission in high gear Keep both automatic and manual transmissions in the highest gear possible. With a manual transmission, swift into high gear as soon as you can; with an automatic transmission, use a light foot on the accelerator to encourage the transmission to shift into high gear quickly. These actions will save fuel. 15. Minimize vehicle loads Transporting unnecessary weight in your car will cause it to use more fuel. The difference is not great on level ground, but does show up when climbing a hill. You will probably have to use your brakes more often. Hauling a trailer is even more costly in terms of extra fuel consumption. In this case, not only the weight of the unit must be pulled, but the extra wind resistance of a large boxy unit must be overcome. A compact car with a V-8 engine for example, may require twice as much fuel as normal when hauling a medium-size trailer." Accordingly, all revenue personnel concerned are hereby enjoined to comply strictly with the above guidelines. EFREN I. PLANA Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue TAN-1456-040-3