#16 Do you know where your vehicle was made? The first digit in the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is the country of origin. 1, 4 and 5 United States, 2 is Canada, 3 is Mexico, J is Japan, K is Korea, L is China, S is the UK, V is France/Spain, T is Switzerland, W is Germany, Y is Sweden/Finland, and Z is Italy.

#15 Holiday Tech Gifts for the Car - Everyone likes gadgets so if you are shopping for the holidays, consider some of the latest tech devices to help on the road. A smartphone dash mount or dashcam protects drivers from causing or taking the blame for an accident. For comfort and convenience, remote start, key finders, jump-starters and GPS devices top the list this year. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) to a gift that will make driving easier and safer.

#14 Safe Night Driving - It’s getting dark earlier, so you need to be more careful on the road. Before you get in the car, make sure your headlights are clean, aimed in the right direction and all your lights are working properly. Turn on your headlights before dusk and check to make sure your windshield is clean. While driving, dim the lights on your dash, avert your eyes from oncoming traffic and stay alert for animals or erratic drivers. And schedule a yearly eye exam to monitor changes in your night vision.

#13 Vehicles rely on their cooling system to keep the engine working well for a very long time. To keep the components (radiator, water pump, thermostat, and fan) running properly means maintaining the fluids as directed by the manufacturer. Be sure to stay on top of the maintenance schedule to prevent damage to your engine and if you suspect a problem (overheating, leaking...) have it checked out immediately. Consider these components when deciding which ProGuard plan to purchase.

#12 Kid Car Safety - The interior of an auto in the hot summer months can quickly turn into an oven so never leave a child or pet unattended in a car, even for a minute. On a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car (even with the windows rolled down) can climb from 78 to 100 degrees in just 3 minutes, up to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes! Each year dozens of children left in parked vehicles die so keep them safe by making it a habit to check the back seat before you lock the door every time you get out of the car.

#11 Transmission Long Term Care - Help avoid a claim or an expensive repair bill by following these simple tips to extend the life of your transmission. Low or dirty fluids are frequent culprits for transmission problems so be sure to monitor your fluids and follow the repair shop or manufacturer's recommendation on how often to schedule a fluid and filter change. Driving habits can make a difference in the lifespan of a transmission so let your car warm up before you drive, stop completely before shifting between gears and avoid riding the brake.

#10 Increasing Tire Longevity - Tires are an expensive purchase that you want to last as long as possible. Just remember PBR, which stands for pressure, balance and rotation to help maintain your investment. Look inside your driver's door for a sticker detailing what your psi should be and check your tire pressure monthly, especially in swinging temperatures. Balancing assures even tire wear by adjusting the wheel weight distribution evenly around the vehicle and periodically rotating the tires ensures even tread wear on all four tires to increase mileage and performance. Take care of them and your tires will take care of you.

#9 The number one thing you can do to keep your vehicle in great condition is to make sure that your oil is checked and changed on a regular basis. You'll want to check your engine oil every couple of thousand miles to make sure it's at the proper level and change it every six months or every 5,000 miles to keep it clean and free of contaminants. If you have a vehicle that uses synthetic oil, you won't have to change it as frequently but it's still a good idea to check it on a regular basis to avoid having your oil light come on (or worse!). Keep your engine well maintained and it will reward you with a long life span.

#8 Tax refund checks are arriving in the mail and many of you are thinking of buying a new car. A new-to-you used vehicle is the smart way to go as you'll get many of the features of buying new at a much better price. Before you hit the lots with money burning a hole in your pocket, do your research and seek out trusted dealers to ensure you are getting a reliable automobile at a fair price. Consider Certified Pre-Owned vehicles that provide actual proof of inspection (like ProGuard does) and offer an extended vehicle protection plan to safeguard your investment for years to come.

#7 It's that time of year again. As you're making your annual New Year's resolution to lose weight and get in shape, why not do the same for your car and pledge to stay on top of your service plan? Like us, vehicles need regular check-ups to monitor their health and diagnose any potential problems before they become serious issues. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule will help your car perform better and it will pay off when you go to sell or trade it in if the vehicle's logbook shows the car has been properly serviced. Give your car the care it needs, and the results will last a lot longer than that fad diet you're trying.

#6 Winter means slick roads so before the cold weather sets in, make sure your vehicle is safe and your brakes are in good shape. Warning signs of faulty brakes include pulling, squealing, jerking, vibration and of course your waning light flashing. Brake wear can be affected by how you drive, road conditions, vehicle type and quality of brake lining material. So even if you never drive with the pedal to the metal, schedule an inspection at least once a year. Many brake inspections are free so don't risk an accident or expensive repair bills by putting off this important safety check.

#5 Most car batteries last about five years so if yours is over 3 years old it's a good idea to test it, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather. Scorching temperatures take the biggest toll and freezing temperatures can shorten battery life so test your car battery in late fall and again in late spring to ensure it doesn't need to be replaced. To stretch the life of your battery, avoid making a lot of short trips and charging multiple devices, as these will wear it out faster. If you need advice on where to take it, call ProGuard for a Preferred Service Center in your area.

#4 The summer driving season is here. Whether you're going camping, to the beach, or on a great American road trip—how you drive can help you save on gas. For most vehicles, fuel efficiency starts to drop once you hit speeds higher than 60 mph. You can improve your gas mileage 10 - 15% by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph. If puttering along at 55 is not your thing, avoid jackrabbit starts and Indy-500 highway maneuvers and you can reduce your fuel consumption by as much as 33%. Cruise along this summer and you'll put less gas in the tank.

#3 Thinking of rewarding your graduate with a new car? You'll get a lot more for your money with a certified pre-owned vehicle, especially if it's ProGuard Certified. Our vehicles undergo a rigorous
87-point inspection and include a protection plan covering over 150 components so you get peace of mind and your graduate doesn't get stuck with unexpected repair bills. Now that's a graduation gift!

#2 April showers bring safety driving hazards in the form of slick roads so now is the time to get your brakes checked out. An annual brake inspection is the best way to ensure safe and reliable braking to prevent accidents. And for added protection, ProGuard 3 and 4 plans cover many brake components to minimize the cost of repairs when service is needed.

#1 Spending your tax refund on a new vehicle? A recent survey published in USA Today listed the top 5 car-buying regrets and one of them was not getting an extended warranty. Don't make that mistake - protect your investment with a ProGuard Protection Plan.

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