The American Trucking Associations put out a press release in response to a national news magazines' recommendation to use potentially dangerous techniques to save fuel, trying to alert other media and the public about the issue.


A recent issue of U.S. News and World Report included "hypermiling" -- an extreme collection of these techniques -- as one of "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009."

Some hypermiling practices such as slowing down, eliminating jackrabbit starts, reducing engine idling and using cruise control have benefits and are widely used in the trucking industry. But more extreme techniques, such as over-inflating tires, shutting off a vehicle's engine while in motion, and tailgating trucks in an attempt to draft, can cause catastrophic results.

ATA says it opposes these techniques that compromise highway safety and ask hypermilers to stop using and recommending these very risky maneuvers.

This issue is the latest topic for discussion by the American Trucking Associations at www.bizcentral.org/american-trucking-association/2009/02/hypermiling-to-save-fuel-not-t.php. BizCentral.org is a blog community for business associations across various sectors.