Hypermiling Saves on Gas...Who Knew?

Let’s be honest, you probably never heard of hypermiling, but you have been doing it your entire driving career. According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, hypermiling is that act of using different driving techniques to maximize fuel economy. It was even named “word of the year” by the dictionary.

Hypermilers attempt to exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated fuel efficiency for their vehicles by employing a variety of driving habits. It has even become a cult sport, as contests have been held to see who can get the best miles per gallon with a vehicle on a selected course.

With today’s economy, and the steady rise of gas prices, we can all learn to become hypermilers. Here are some of the techniques used by hypermilers.

• Hypermilers use an anticipatory driving method for efficiently maintaining speed. Basically, drivers will accelerate slowly, and coast for as long as possible before using their brake. This technique is often called the “pulse and glide” method. By using this technique, drivers are minimizing fuel consumption while in motion.

• Stay back from other vehicles so you don’t have to brake as often. Make sure you do so within reason, you don’t want to cause an accident.

• By properly inflating your car’s tires, you can save approximately 1-2 miles per gallon and extend the life of your tires.

• Always make sure your gas cap is tightly closed after fueling up. Once it’s closed, turn it FOUR more times to ensure no gas evaporates from an otherwise insecure cap.

• Always make sure to purchase the correct fuel for your car. Check your car’s manual for its required fuel octane level. This will ensure your car maximizes the use of fuel.

• Reduce your resistance while driving; remove any luggage or ski racks from your car while they are not in use.

Hypermilers have come under attack for using unsafe and sometimes aggressive driving practices. We recommend you follow the preceding techniques with caution and with an active concern for your safety, as well as the safety of drivers around you. Compare techniques and automobile performances at Fuelly, a social network completely for hypermilers. And be sure to check out the fuel economy of our vehicles at Basil Resale Center on Sheridan.

Matt Shapiro

Inexpensive and Easy things you can do yourself to get your Car ready for Spring & Summer

Inexpensive and Easy things you can do yourself to get your Car ready for Spring & Summer

1. Get rid of road salt on the undercarriage. Road salt can damage your vehicle by eating away at its undercarriage. Use a garden hose with as much water pressure as your system can collect to undo winter grime and salt.

2. Check the tires. Tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees change in temperature, so it's important to check tire pressure after winter is over.

3. Check wiper blades. Your wipers work hard all winter long removing salt and other winter grime. Since the life of a wiper blade is six months to a year, check that the blades have not dried out. Do not wait for a heavy spring or summer rainstorm to discover your blades are not performing properly. Also, refill the wiper fluid if needed.

4. Clean the cabin. First you should remove the floor mats to vacuum or wash outside the car. Second open the trunk, remove the spare tire and jack and vacuum here, too. After vacuuming everything use a cleaner and a soft cloth on the dashboard, steering wheel, door panels, and seats to get off dust, stains and fingerprints.

5. Wash and wax. Putting regular dish washing liquid in a bucket of water and a clean, sponge will do the trick for the washing, using a different sponge for the body and the tire rims. Then dry the car to make it shine in the spring or summer sunshine. If needed apply a coat of protective wax.


Courtney Walczak

Some Fun Car Facts

Trivia and factoids originally found on the Automopedia blog

It’s rumored the Chevy Nova sold poorly in Mexico because the word “Nova” is close to the Spanish phrase “doesn’t go.”

Only FOUR automobiles were registered in the United States in 1895. I guess everybody had to learn to share!

Toll Booths on The Garden State Parkway in New Jersey were supposed to remain until initial construction was paid off, sometime back in the late 1950’s.

Over 90% of car owners admit to singing while behind the wheel.

The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.

In 1960, you could purchase a brand new Buick La Sabre for under $3000. With that you basically got two-doors, a (manual) steering wheel and an engine.

Early Ford vehicles contained Dodge engines. Some 1980’s Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouths contain Mitsubishi Engines.

Mary Anderson patented the windshield wiper in 1905 after she noticed snow and rain gathering on the fronts of trolley cars and automobile windows.

In 1898, the New York City Police Department used bicycles to pursue speeding motorists.

Japan produced the most passenger vehicles/most total vehicles worldwide in 2006.

The World’s Oldest Car was built in France in 1884 for French Count De Dion.

In 2009, New York and New Jersey were surveyed as having the Worst Drivers in America.

Feeling like you want to check out a car yet? Just head to www.basilresale.com!

Tips for Winter Driving and Maintenance

If you are the type of person who is truly uncomfortable driving in the snow or on ice, don’t. Take the bus, call a cab, or get a ride. But for those who choose to brave the weather, here are a few good tips for driving on the Buffalo winter roads.

In Motion

• Get snow tires, drive slowly. Buying snow tires is one of the best investments you can make. It’s the difference between driving up a snowy hill, and spinning your tires while people pass you. Always check to see that your tires have the proper amount of air in them. Make sure you balance and rotate your tires regularly.
• Be aware of the other drivers around you so you can maneuver away from them if they (or you) lose control. Keep your distance from other cars. Drive twice the distance you normally would from vehicles in front of you
• Begin to brake earlier than you would under normal weather. Relax and don’t panic. If you start to slide, pump the brakes (or let your car’s Anti-lock Brake System kick in), and remember that you can still steer your car to some degree while sliding.
• Turn your lights on. Even if it’s daylight and you can see in front of you just fine. Those lights are for everyone else to see you.
• Stay off your cell phone and pay attention to what you’re doing.
• Use your emergency parking brake when you park (even when not on an angle).

Maintenance and Emergency Supplies

• Keep your car well-maintained. Make sure you have adequate fluid levels (oil, antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid etc.) Make sure you have enough windshield washer fluid because you will be clearing your windshield more than normal.
• Keep your gas tank near full as much as you can. Trying to start a car with a near-empty tank in cold weather is asking for trouble.
• Keep emergency supplies in your trunk or back seat in case something happens. At a minimum, keep warm blankets, dry socks, gloves, hat etc. in your car for every person. You don’t want to be stuck out in the cold unprepared. Also keep a supply of fresh water, and candy/ energy bars.
• Keep a shovel and some basic tools handy. Buy a set of long wood blocks (2x4) to wedge under your tires if they can’t get any traction.
• Keep something heavy in your trunk during the winter months to get better traction. Kitty litter is inexpensive and adds a good amount of weight to the car.

Snow Removal

• Use a wide push-broom brush/ice scraper with softer bristles for quicker snow removal. Be sure to clean off your windshield, lights, windows, exhaust and intake at a minimum.
• Be considerate to the drivers around you by removing snow/ice from your roof as well (you don’t want the snow from your roof to let loose on the driver behind you).
• Start your car 10 to 15 minutes before you plan on leaving to ensure the engine/car has warmed up properly.
• When you park your car for the day, leave your wiper blades flipped out. It might look silly, but a big snow dump won’t leave them covered in ice when you return.



Matt Shapiro

5 Money Saving Tips For Purchasing Your Next Car

Before buying your next car, there are a few things you should consider before walking into the dealership. Below are 5 MONEY saving tips that can save you hundreds, perhaps thousands on your next automobile purchase:
First off, you should look at the dealership’s online inventory. Most often than not, internet deals can get you a better price. When you arrive at the dealership, inquire about the car and mention you saw it online.
Second, if you plan on trading in an automobile, get a full detail first. You can add hundreds on the value of your trade juts by spending a few bucks on a full detail. Dealers pay a lot to have your car professionally detailed. By taking the initiative to clean your vehicle, you’ll add value to your car
Third, be honest with the salesman. They want to get to your business. There is no need to keep numbers from them. If your price range is $10,000, tell them that information. Chances are that they are willing to negotiate.
And lastly, persuade the salesman with kindness. Don’t walk into the dealership with an attitude and demand thousands off right off the bat. The salesman will cooperate with you more if you’re kind. Treat them how you would want to be treated.

Use these tips and you're sure to get a great deal! Especially if you come to Basil Resale Sheridan!

Stephen Press

Used Car Salesman : Friend or Foe?

It is fair to say that most people have a stereotype in their minds of the average car salesman: pushy, aggressive, manipulative, untrustworthy, etc.
However, most people are in the market for a used car at least once in their lives, so how can one make the car buying experience a pleasant one? The first step is to overcome the preconceived ideas about your salesman before you step into a showroom.
In previous years, these stereotypes have come from personal experiences and hearsay from others. These tales might include a salesman who was trying to rip them off; who lied to them about the car’s features and background; who didn’t have your best interests in mind; who would treat you differently if you weren’t interested in a higher-end car that would get them a large commission. There still are some salesmen still in the world who practice like that, but it’s also safe to say that there are many salesmen out there trying to change people’s perceptions by being honest and fair to their customers.
In a family owned dealership (FOD), it is very important for salesman to realize their role in the organization. Most of these FOD’s have a strong interest in bettering the community in which they operate. They want to treat their customers like they are part of their family, because essentially they are an extension of the business and the name connected with it. Because of this, the owners want to make sure that the customer is #1 and that their best interest is always in the mind of the salesman. Ultimately, it comes down to a trust issue- happy customers tell the rest of the world how they were treated and whether or not the dealership is worth visiting.
So, how does one know when they are a victim of the stereotypical salesman? The first step is to make sure that you know what you want and that you have done your homework when you walk into a dealership. A salesman is going to be the first person that you talk to, so if they know you are serious about what you are looking for and that you know the average prices, it is much less likely that they will be able to cheat you out of a good price and car. Also, you must know what you are willing and able to pay, because that shows a genuine interest and confidence at the dealership. If these two suggestions do not work, you are always able to speak with other people at the business including managers or customer relations representatives whose sole purpose is to make the customer happy.
There are stereotypes on every facet of a human: gender, ethnicity, height, weight, age. However, in this day and age, customers are doing everything in their power to overcome these prejudices. It takes more than one person to help overcome a stereotype, but it takes one person to start that trend. So, the next time that you walk into a dealership, try viewing your salesman as someone who is on your side, not an enemy. Then maybe that one person could be you.

Caitlin Higgins

And so it begins...

This is our first official post of many to come… Hopefully this will serve as a forum to discuss events, important milestones, special sales, and news in and surrounding us here at Basil Resale Sheridan. We look forward to hearing from you as well. Oh, and feel free to be a fan on our Facebook Fanpage to win GPS's just for being a fan!