Staying Safe on Facebook

You don’t always think about it, but posting the wrong thing on Facebook could have serious consequences. Here are some tips to keep your information safe and you out of trouble.

Don’t give away all your personal information.

It may seem silly but putting your address or telephone number on Facebook could give someone the information they need to steal your identity. If you want a Facebook friend to know your address or phone number send them a private message. Also, try not to leave clues to online passwords you may have. It’s hard to think twice about a status update with your dog’s name or your mother’s birthday, but if those are the passwords to your email or bank account you could be in trouble.

Keep the party posts to a minimum.

I know it’s hard to resist partying, but try not to post the snapshots of your epic night on Facebook. When you apply for jobs, many employers head to Facebook to see what their potential new employee is all about. If they see nothing but pictures and status updates of a wild night out, they will likely choose someone over you for that job even if you are more qualified.

Don’t talk bad about your job/employer.

Ever since Facebook became a hit, countless jobs have been lost because someone vented their frustrations about work on Facebook. If your boss is really an idiot or you hate dealing with annoying customers everyday fine, just don’t put it on Facebook for the world to see. Your employer has every right to terminate you if you talk bad about the company online.

Remember to keep your information safe on Facebook and be smart about what you post. Become a fan of ours to learn more about us and get an opportunity to win prizes. Basil Resale Sheridan wants you to be as safe on the road as you are on Facebook. That’s why all of our vehicles go through a 101 point inspection by our awesome service team.

Jerome Singletary

Replacing Your Brake Pads

Your car makes a grinding noise whenever you stop. It’s a sound you hate to hear. Is it really time to replace your brake pads again? But what should you know before you get them replaced?

Is it really time to replace them?

It’s very easy to tell if you need new brake pads. On most vehicles you can simply look through the front wheel cover at the brake pads. If the brake pad on either side is worn down to less than ¼ inch they should be replaced. Once you hear that grinding noise, it’s definitely time to replace your pads. Otherwise you could risk damaging your rotor which will be very costly to replace. If you need help contact the service team at Basil Resale Sheridan for an appointment.

When should you replace them?

Once you determine you need new brake pads, you should change them right away. When you hear that grinding noise it means damage is being done to your car’s rotor. The worn down brake pads will grind a groove into your rotor and if it becomes too deep the rotor will snap when you try to brake. Your vehicle won’t be able to brake which could cause an accident!

What about the rest of the brake system?

You don’t have to replace your rotor as often as the brake pads. The rotor can be “turned” or grinded down until the entire surface is even. Once your vehicle gets older, you will also need to replace the calipers. Over time the calipers become sticky and don’t push down on the brake pads which will cause the brake pads to wear down more quickly.

It may seem like a hassle, but it is important to get your brake pads, rotors and calipers serviced as soon as you notice a problem. Basil Resale Sheridan has a first class service department if you ever need your brake system fixed or replaced. When you purchase a vehicle from us, you will also benefit from the Basil Difference which includes free oil changes for life, a 101 point safety inspection and a 6 month/6000 mile warranty.

Jerome Singletary

How to Act When Being Pulled Over

No matter how long you’ve been driving, getting pulled over by a cop can be a nerve-racking experience. The first thing to remember is to be polite! Arguing with a cop isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Pull over to the side of the road

When you see a cop car; first try to remain calm, turn on your turn signal, and try to stop as far right or left as possible so that the Officer can stand next to your car without putting themselves in danger. Turn off your engine and if it’s dark, turn on your interior lights.

Avoid giving the officer a reason to search your car

If you’re rustling about in your car, the officer might think you’re trying to hide something. If anything illegal is in immediate view, like an open bottle of alcohol; he or she is allowed to take it.

You should never get out of your car

Only get out if the officer tells you to. They will consider it a threat if you get out of the car. Remember that many police officers die when pulling over a car; it’s when they are most vulnerable.

When talking to the Officer

Roll down the window completely. Be polite and honest. Try not to cry or argue with the officer because most of the time you can’t talk yourself out of a ticket. And you might just annoy the officer even more!

Take the ticket and go on your way

If you get a ticket keep it in a safe place. Don’t forget to signal and check your mirrors, when entering the road again. Remember police officers are just looking out for your safety and try to protect the safety of others.

Here at Basil Resale Sheridan, we remind you to always drive safe. If you got a ticket for a brake light, headlight or any other malfunctioning part; don’t forget to make an appointment with our amazing service team or just stop by at Basil Resale Sheridan 4131 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Caroline Cary

Just got into a car accident? Don’t Panic!

There are more than 6 million car accidents each year in the United States, so you are not alone. Take a deep breath and look around. If you are able to see that you are not seriously wounded, follow this simple procedure that is vital to making your case for the accident report and for insurance purposes.

1)1st pull the car off the road so as not to cause any further accidents.
2)Assess injury for yourself and for the driver of the other vehicle.
3)Call 911 for anyone who is injured or just to file a report.
4)Make sure both parties exchange information such as name, address, phone number, insurance policy number, driver license number, and license plate number. Do not mention that the accident was your fault even if you feel as it was your fault. It is up to the police to determine who’s liable.
5)File an accident report with your local police station. An accident report will help insurance companies determine who will pay for the damages. There is a 10 day window to file the report to DMV so file it quickly!
6)TAKE PICTURES. In an age with camera phones make use of them! Photograph the condition of both vehicles and make sure every detail has been taken down. This may help your case. Buy a disposable camera and keep it in your dashboard just in case.
7)If there were witnesses, make sure you take their name down and contact information so they can help you piece together the claim. Contact them afterwards to get a signed statement of what and how it happened.

Finally, you have the option of whether to pursue the claim through the insurance company or settle the damages privately. Regardless of which method you choose, always follow the procedure above to minimize the risk of unfair claims and serious disputes.

At Basil Resale Center, We offer auto repair services at a very reasonable price, and if you encounter a serious accident, come to Basil Resale Sheridan to find the right replacement.

A Simple Guide to a Do-It-Yourself Hand Car Wash

Spring is in...And with summer just around the corner, it’s time to grab a bucket and some squeegees. Basil is going to give you some tips on how to give your car a do-it-yourself hand car wash.

· If you can, park your car out of direct sunlight. This stops premature drying, which can blemish the paint.

· Fill two buckets with plain water. Add your car wash soap to only one of them. The plain water only bucket is for washing the dirt off of you mitt.

· Quickly rinse off your car with a hose (on a light setting) to loosen the dirt. Make sure you get the dirt off the undercarriage too.

· Soak a large mitt or squeegee with the soap-water and begin to wash your car. Start at the top of the car, and work your way around it slowly moving lower each time around. Scrub in a circular motion.

· After each section is washed, rinse it with the hose before moving to the next section.

· Clean the lower body and wheels last; this is where you will find the most dirt. Use a long wheel brush to get into the spokes of your wheels. Use steel wool soap pads on the tires to get rid of any oxidized rubber.

· Dry your car with fresh terry towels. When drying, open all of the doors and clean down the door jams.

Matt Shapiro

Love your Car? Getting Too Attached Might Cost You...

I have seen this first hand, my father getting way too attached to his car. His car was a 1989 Chevy Caprice Classic, which is a gas guzzler, and with all the problems it was having to most people it wouldn’t be worth fixing, but my dad still was holding on to that car. My family wanted him to get rid of during Cash for Clunkers, but he was reluctant to do so, and took a lot of convincing for him to finally get rid of that car. On the other hand during Cash for Clunkers I jumped on the opportunity to get rid of my 2001 Jeep Cherokee because it was falling apart and I wanted a more fuel efficient car with less maintenance problems. I am sure you know many people like this. Don’t believe me, there are some interesting facts below….

Although Americans parted with nearly 700,000 old vehicles in last year's Cash for Clunkers program, many of them probably had a hard time letting go, say researchers at the University of Michigan. (Phys.org)

Phys.org says that this is to blame on anthropomorphism—the tendency to ascribe human attributes to an inanimate object. The University of Michigan researchers conducted a study to test how anthropomorphic thought affects consumers’ product replacement intentions. One group of participants in the study were asked to describe their car in technical terms (ex. Quiet, reliable etc) and the other group of participants were asked to describe their car in personality terms (ex. Nice, snobbish, considerate etc.) The group who were asked to explain their car in personality terms reported that they were less willing to replace their cars then people who did not.

Why Anthropomorphic can be a problem for consumers and dealers? Scharz a professor of marketing at the University of Michigan explains, "Anthropomorphic beliefs may potentially increase consumers' maintenance costs beyond economically defensible levels while reducing producers' sales.” With more and more consumers using anthropomorphic cues to influence how they think about their cars, dealers are going to have to come up with marketing campaigns to show that their vehicles are alive, to appeal to more consumers.

My Final Opinions:

If your very attached to your car, and don’t want to give it up, why not consider trading it up to a newer year and model? It’s practically the same car, with better features, newer, and hopefully less problems. Or if you need help deciding what the trade in value is worth for your car, and what your options are check out Basil and have one of their friendly and experienced car salesman help you out today!


If you want more information about this go to http://www.physorg.com/news186171125.html. Or if this article made you think about replacing your vehicle check out http://www.basilresale.com/

Courtney Walczak