ARLINGTON, Va. — More media are giving car drivers dangerous advice on how to save fuel dollars in these tough times, and the American Trucking Associations is trying to put a stop to it.

ATA has issued a response to a national news magazines’ recommendation to use potentially dangerous techniques to save fuel.

A recent issue of U.S. News and World Report hyped up "hypermiling" as one of "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009." 

Some hypermiling techniques are sound advice, such as slowing down, eliminating jackrabbit starts, reducing engine idling, and using cruise control.

However, more extreme practices such as over-inflating tires, shutting off a vehicle’s engine while in motion, and, perhaps the most popular, tailgating trucks in an attempt to draft, are risky maneuvers that can "cause catastrophic results," says ATA.

This issue is the latest topic for discussion by the ATA at BizCentral.org, a blog community for business associations across various sectors.

Explains the ATA: (We) have asked hypermilers to stop recommending this very risky behavior and it is irresponsible for U.S. News and World Report to tout these unsafe practices.

"Instead of risky hypermiling techniques, ATA encourages individuals to use other methods mentioned in the article that save fuel and do not threaten the safety of drivers."