Hypermiling - Dangerous or Efficient?

Hypermiling - The Latest Craze in Fuel Efficiency

Hypermiling is a method of increasing your car's gas mileage by making skillful changes in the way you drive, allowing you to save gas and thereby have an easier time withstanding the rising oil and gas prices. Hypermilers are drivers of both hybrid cars and regular vehicles. Some people go to great lengths to try to to surpass the EPA's estimated fuel economy ratings on their cars.

The terms "hypermiler" and "hypermiling" originated in the online communities of Clean MPG, which is devoted to raising fuel economy and lowering emissions.

Some examples of more odd or extreme techniques on being Fuel Efficient (FE as they abbreviate) 

• DWB: Driving w/out Brakes (or Driving w/ Buffers)
• PP: Potential Parking: When entering a parking lot of any description, seek out the highest spot in said parking area so gravity gets the car moving.
• Drafting: Draft off the right rear corner of a tractor-trailer to reduce wind resistance yet allow the rig's driver to see you. However, if you are to close, it could be dangerous.
• P&G: Pulse and Glide: Accelerate to above the speed limit, then shut the gasoline engine down and glide to a speed below the limit. It is fairly easy to do in a hybrid, but in a gas-only vehicle it can be dangerous. (It's illegal in many places.)

If you go to the Cleanmpg website you can find many more hypermiling techniques.

Some of the techniques are a bit extreme, such as shutting off your engine while driving, especially at highway speed can be very dangerous. In gas-only cars power brakes turn off when the engine is turned off. Tailgating tractor trailers at high speeds can also be dangerous. 

All of the techniques require practice, and some of them are risky and/or illegal in some states.  

Is saving a little gas and money worth the risk of some of these practices? 

  I think that some of the techniques are simple tips that anyone can follow, however, I wouldn't dare try some of them. Shutting off your engine is can be really risky, I have done it by accident before in a previous car and the brakes turned off and I almost crashed because I didn't realize what was happening. (However, if you are doing it intentionally it is different) I am all for trying to save money and make your car more fuel efficient, but I think there is a line that can be crossed. 

Do you know anyone that is a Hypermiler?

Do you think its dangerous or a good idea?

What do you think??