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With many places reopening in Clermont, you may be thankful or sad depending on how much you enjoy working from home. For some people working in pjs is a dream come true and for some it's a nightmare to not be in an office dedicated to working. Whatever your work flow style there are those of us for whom the grind never stops, even in the small moments spent in the car during a lunch break or running errands. There are some of us who want to maximize their productivity and take their business dealings to a more mobile-friendly setting. If you're looking for a new project for your car or you're anxious to turn your wheels into a rolling office, Toyota of Clermont is here with some essential tips and vehicle accessories that'll have you expediting this quarter's sales figures faster than you can say synergy. Tips for Converting Your Car Into An Office Assembling an office that emulates perfect workflow and sings spreadsheets isn't easy. It's especially difficult when you put that office on four wheels and decrease the space significantly. Luckily, with enough determination and creativity (and a few key vehicle accessories) you too can turn your Clermont Toyota into the perfect mobile office. Here are a few tips to get you started: You should choose a vehicle with ample interior space to convert into your mobile office. This leaves you plenty of room for extra Clermont vehicle accessories and with many ways to get creative. This project is doable in something with as little interior space as the Toyota Supra, but a vehicle like the Sequoia will be much easier to work with. Consider re-routing power from your vehicle's battery to provide additional connections for your various devices. Keep in mind that this will likely drain your battery faster and unexpectedly. Pick a seat for your office setup before getting started. This is a more strategic decision than you realize. The front seat allows you to use the steering wheel as a desk, with the right vehicle accessory, rather than your lap but the passenger seat can afford you more room. The back seat is likely the crown jewel of space but it could be difficult to make the space more workable. Make sure you keep the space clean. Nothing disrupts synergy and workflow quite like a mess. In the office it can be ignored for some time, but you can't escape it when sitting in your Clermont Toyota car. Make sure you have an efficient waste disposal system in place before setting up your mobile office. Vehicle Accessories to Make Your Clermont Toyota Car an Office Now onto the fun part! Here are our hand picked accessories that'll turn your ride into an office in no time: Steering wheel mounted desk Battery-powered printer (wired or wireless) Wifi Hotspot. You can either use your phone or take advantage of any wifi enabled accessories your vehicle's make may offer. Coat hangers for your coats and work shirts. Seat cushions for long meetings. Interior trash bins for easy cleanup. File organizers. Turning your ride into a mobile office isn't as difficult as one might think and at Toyota of Clermont we can help take your productivity to another level. Shop our vehicle accessories today at 16851 State Road 50 and check out our parts specials on our website!

Summer is here - with humidity included, temperatures outside are well on their way into the 100 range. It can be miserable to step into a hot car after a long day at work, especially when your car's A/C isn't working. Toyota of Clermont is here with help, as always. We have tips on how to keep your car cooler in general and also how to deal when your A/C is on the fritz until you can get into our Clermont auto service center for auto repairs. Read on! Clermont summer car care tips to keep you cool behind the wheel Tip #1: Keep your car cooler from the get-go. No one wants to slide into a hot car at the end of a long day. Choose your parking carefully to help alleviate the buildup of heat inside the cabin! Park in a parking garage if you can, or at least under cover. Covered parking or even a shady spot will help keep the cabin of your car cooler during the day so it's not as unbearable when it's time to hit the road. Parking in shade will also help protect your car's paint, by the way! Tip #2: Get the heat out quickly. There's really no worse feeling than opening your car door after work and feeling what wave of heat escape - it's like sitting down in an oven. However, there are a few easy car care tricks to help prevent it. First, leave your windows cracked during the day. This will let hot air escape - just make sure you check the weather because if it rains, you'll want to roll your windows back up in time! We also recommend opening all of your car doors for a minute or two before you climb into the driver's seat to let heat escape. Finally, as soon as you hit the road, roll all of your windows down and crank the A/C. This will help circulate hot air out and cool air around, and as soon as the interior of your Clermont Toyota is tolerable, roll the windows back up to seal in the cold. Tip #3: Cover your steering wheel. Your car's steering wheel can get seriously hot if it's in the sun all day, leaving it unpleasant to handle. An easy way to prevent this is to put a sunshade up in the windshield to shield the steering wheel, or to throw a hand towel over the wheel itself. You can also turn the wheel 180 degrees after you park so when it's time to leave, you just turn it back 180 degrees and put your hands on the cool side. Tip #4: Fix your A/C immediately. Driving around in Central Florida without air conditioning is literally the worst. But if you have to wait a bit to schedule Clermont car care for your A/C, here are a few ways to deal. First, buy a small battery-operated or solar-powered fan - this will help move air around the cabin. You can also put a wet, cold towel over the A/C vent nearest you to try and cool down the air coming into your car. Toyota of Clermont can take care of your A/C car care needs Need car care for summer? Let Toyota of Clermont help. We're open seven days a week and you can call us at (352) 404-7001. Schedule your summer car care at our Clermont auto service center today!

With yet another article about the risks of purchasing a used car, you might be getting the impression that we have something against them. Actually, we love pre-owned vehicles and always encourage our many guests to shop for one! It's the easiest and most cost-effective way to get behind the wheel of a ride you love and you can avoid the harshest parts of vehicle depreciation. Toyota also makes Clermont used car shopping easy through its Toyota Certified Used Vehicle program that ensures every pre-owned vehicle is quality checked and largely damage free. But not every car meets that standard and that's why you need to be careful when shopping for a used vehicle. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> There are measures in place, like vehicle history reports and lemon laws, that protect consumers from spending their hard-earned money on a vehicle that's been compromised. However, there's still the possibility of unknowingly purchasing a vehicle that has accident damage. We at Toyota of Clermont are here with some tips to help you spot hidden or covered up damage on a used vehicle so you can shop smart and safe. Spotting Hidden Accident Damage on a Used Car Mismatched or Misplaced Paint For your Clermont vehicle to be properly painted the bulk of the engine block and interior needs to be removed to ensure a uniform color throughout. In the event of an accident paint can be scraped away and damaged. People trying to unload a damaged used car will often cover up the damage with a hasty mismatched paint job rather than having it done professionally. If you see different paint colors on the vehicle or patches of color that don't quite match the overall color, then you should consider a different ride. Misaligned Body Pieces New vehicles are meticulously crafted using accurate machines and skilled professionals and they should be perfectly aligned and shapely when you drive it off the lot. A damaged Clermont used car could have a slightly askew bumper or a door that doesn't close just right or a trunk lid that looks a little lopsided. These misaligned imperfections can spell trouble and are a sure sign of damage. Bondo Body Work Bondo is a type of vehicle body filler that's used to patch up accident damage before being repainted. It's used often in a professional setting for a nice and clean look, but can make a bad damage coverup look more obvious. Be sure to meticulously check each panel and body piece for uneven textures or raised surfaces under the paint. A Cracked Windshield Windshield cracks and dents happen to all of us, but your Clermont used car should be spotless before you sign on the dotted line. Depending on the type of crack or ding it could mean that the vehicle's glass was never repaired or the frame is misaligned. Missing Screws and Fasteners You wheel weld is probably the last place you'd think to check for used car accident damage, but it's one of the most obvious spots for spotting damage. If you notice a missing screw or fastener from this area it could mean that the bumper has been removed at home point in time or the wheel weld was compromised. Either way, find a different car. Shopping for a quality used car doesn't have to be complicated. Let us help you out at Toyota of Clermont! We're open for seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50 and have a great stock of quality pre-owned cars.

When you buy a used car, you want to know with absolute certainty that you're not only getting a great deal, but also getting a reliable car that's going to last you for years down the road without any major issues. That's why it's so important to do your homework when shopping for a used car in Clermont. You should take a test drive, do a walkaround inspection, ask questions, and request the CarFax report and auto service records (if available) so you have a solid idea of the car's history and how it's been cared for. What is flood damage? One of the big things you want to be on the lookout for in our state is flood damage. We get our fair share of hurricanes over the years, and cars that are part of the coastal community are always in danger of flooding. Plus, you never know if a used car has been brought in from another state where it endured a flood. Being able to spot flood damage is a critical part of your car shopping process, and Toyota of Clermont is here to help you learn how. Before you can spot flood damage, you need to know what it is. Basically, when a car endures a flood, the water can do damage to the exterior, interior, and under the hood. However, it's not always easy to spot. Exterior damage and interior damage are a bit more noticeable, but when water floods the engine block and exhaust system it can do major damage that can't be seen outright. This results in serious problems with the transmission, exhaust, ignition, hoses, and more. And in turn, you'll find yourself with costly repairs on your hands. Typically, you should be able to spot flood damage just by looking at the car's title - usually these cars are deemed "salvaged" or "flooded" there. However, not all states require this to be disclosed, so it's best to know how to spot flood damage on your own. Check out these signs from our Clermont auto service techs. Surefire signs a used car has flood damage 1. The carpet. If a car's interior has been flooded, it may have new carpet inside that either doesn't match or is a lot newer than the rest of the car. It's also a telltale sign of flooding if the carpet is stained or has a musty smell to it from dampness. 2. Rust. Any unpainted metal that was exposed to a flood will likely develop rust, so check for this surefire sign and examine the door handles, pedals, under the hood, and anywhere else in the cabin where you see unpainted metal. 3. New seat mounting screws. When you replace the carpet in a car, you have to remove the seats. If the seats have new mounting screws, then it's likely they've been removed at least once. 4. Mud. If you spot mud or debris inside the engine bad or under the trunk lid, you can pretty much bet on flood damage to the rest of the car. 5. Fog or moisture. If you see fog or moisture droplets in the headlights, interior lights, or instrument panel, you likely have flood damage on your hands. And don't forget, you can always have a mechanic check the car out if you're in doubt! Get the peace of mind you deserve - shop Toyota of Clermont's used car inventory today. We're open seven days a week until 10pm at 16861 State Road 50!

Without getting too existential, the world is truly an unforgiving place. Around every corner there's always something that can jump out at you and just scratch up your whole day. You may be thinking that we're talking about life, but we're actually talking about your vehicle and its paint! Driving around just about anywhere, especially around the Clermont area (I4, right?), has its hazards and you could wind up with a few new scratches and dings in your paint by the time you pull back into your driveway. While we offer various forms of vehicle paint repairs, we know it can get pricey when you factor in the labor and parts necessary to get the job done. Luckily, if you're a fan of DIY car care, we've got the perfect project for you. At Toyota of Clermont we're going to walk you through how to repair simple vehicle paint scratches so your vehicle paint can get back to looking shiny and new again! Fixing Scratches in Your Vehicle's Paint Before you dive into the buffing, sanding, and polishing that goes along with vehicle paint repair, there are a few things you should do first. One, you should begin by assessing the type of scratch you're working with. Your Clermont vehicle's paint is created and achieves its shine by using several layers of products including the: base body panel, primer, body coat of paint, and clear coat. Scratches, depending on how deep they are, can penetrate all the way down to the body panel. Before you get started, check to see which type of scratch you're working with. A clear coat scratch fades when wet but reappears when dry, a body coat scratch doesn't fade but appears white, and a primer or body panel scratch looks black or gray. You should also make sure you have the right tools on hand including: sand paper, fine scratch polish, several clean and debris free microfiber cloths, a power polisher, and soapy water. Step 1) Clean the Area and Tape it Off Before you start sanding the area where you have a vehicle paint issues. This will keep you from sanding or polishing dirt and other debris into the scratch on your Clermont Toyota. Use plenty of soapy water and a microfiber cloth to wipe the area clean. After it's been cleaned then use painter's tape to cordon off the area so you know where you need to work. Step 2) Start Sanding Sanding out a scratch is one of the most essential steps of the process, but you need to be careful when you do it. You should use either 3000 or 5000 fine grit sandpaper to prevent additional scratches from forming on your car's paint. Pro tip, wrap a dish sponge with the sandpaper to start sanding to avoid pressure points caused by your fingers. Apply soapy water and start sanding with a medium amount of pressure and the 3000 grit sandpaper. Sand until the scratch is no longer visible and the sanded area has a hazy look. 3) Apply Polish and Wax If the scratch is no longer visible then you're ready for the next step! You're going to follow up the sanding on the scratch with some additional sanding in the surrounding area to feather the hazing. Use the 5000 grit paper to do this. After that's finished, grab another microfiber cloth and apply polish to the hazy area. The polish will finely sand the area and start to restore the reflective shine of your clearcoat. Once the hazy area has cleared up then it's time to start using wax. Apply a solid clay-bar wax to the area and your vehicle paint's shine should return with the scratch gone! If you need additional help taking care of minor scratches or need auto body work on more major scratches, Toyota of Clermont is here to help! We have a great selection of products to help you get the job done and we can refer you to our sister store, Toyota of Orlando, for major body work. Reach out to us online or by calling (352) 404 7000 today!

As you have likely heard by now, many states around the country, including Florida, are beginning to loosen stay at home orders and other public safety measures to begin the transition back to normal life. While we at Toyota of Clermont are happy to welcome our guests back with open arms, that doesn't mean that things are going to go completely back to normal by this coming Monday. With no actual set treatment course for the coronavirus and it's resulting disease, COVID-19, many are still at risk for developing the illness which has proved dangerous to many individuals. Florida will be reopening it's doors partially soon, but you still need to be careful and mindful of your health and safety. Toyota of Clermont is here with a few tips to keep in mind as you begin to transition back to reality! Transitioning Back to Reality. Kind of The coronavirus is still a major threat to the lives of people in our very own Clermont community and it's important that we and our neighbors remember that. Florida will continue to reopen in small phases, but we should still keep in mind the danger until we have an effective way to rid ourselves of that danger. Here are a few tips that will help you transition back to reality safely. 1) Don't Forget Your Good Hygiene Habits Over the course of stay at home orders and social distancing the past month and a half you've probably been instructed to wash your hands more times than you could possibly count. Those who warned you didn't do so to be annoying or sound like broken records. Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways of preventing yourself from contracting the virus. The caveat to this is to also remember to refrain from touching your face. Especially if you've been in public places or touched high-touch areas without washing your hands thoroughly afterwards. 2) Wear a Mask We know that wearing a face mask, be it a disposable medical model or a homemade cloth one, can be annoying or claustrophobia inducing. But, it's another way to effectively prevent yourself from breathing in contaminated air particles. If you're someone who's work will be resuming normal face-to-face interactions in the coming weeks, make sure to wear a mask while in your office or customer facing position. It may feel uncomfortable, but it's a better alternative to falling ill. 3) Limit Your Time in Public Spaces While many establishments in the Clermont area will be under strict rules and ordinances during the next coming weeks as reopening occurs, that doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind. If you can help it, make sure to limit your time out in public spaces like retail stores and restaurants. These places are a host to high touch points and close quarter interactions are could be dangerous to you. Continue to make use of online ordering, delivery services, and other limited human interaction purchase options during these next few weeks. We know that going back to normality is the ultimate goal and something we all want to see happen sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, over crowding hospitals in a time where we don't have a proper vaccine or treatment course to this virus will make things more difficult going forward. Make sure to follow these tips and stay safe during these reopening periods. At Toyota of Clermont, we're dedicated to providing a clean and sanitary environment where you can shop with ease. Visit us today at 16851 State Road 50!

We all know it exists, but do you really know how to safely and efficiently use your car's cruise control? It's a great tool to combat driver fatigue and also improve fuel efficiency, but it can actually be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing when you put it to use. Toyota of Clermont is here with tips on how to safely use cruise control to improve your driving experience - read on before you put this important feature into play! Toyota of Clermont's tips for cruise control 1. Consider the weather It's not safe to use cruise control if the weather isn't right. You should never employ this tool when driving in the rain; the roads get slick and you want to be able to react quickly to avoid an accident should the need arise. If you're using cruise control, you can't react as quickly and you may find yourself hydroplaning before you can do anything about it. The same goes for snowy and icy conditions; never use this feature in winter weather so you have more control over your car. It's best employed when the roads are dry. 2. Use it in the right places You should also consider where you are when you use cruise control. It's not designed for driving in suburban or urban areas; it's designed to be used on the highway so you can easily maintain a constant speed without wearing out your leg on the pedal. You can't maintain a constant speed in suburban and urban areas because of stop signs, traffic lights, pedestrians, and more, so don't try to use this tool unless you're driving on the highway. 3. Examine the traffic situation However, that being said, even if you're on the highway you still need to observe the traffic situation before putting cruise control to work. If there are a lot of cars around you or heavy traffic on the road, it's not smart to use this tool. You'll need to adjust your speed to keep up with the flow of traffic, and using this feature won't let you efficiently do that. It's best utilized when you're free of other cars and have the open road ahead of you. 4. Pay attention to topography It's also unwise to use cruise control when you're driving in hilly or mountainous areas, as well as on winding roads. This feature is a mechanical one; it doesn't know that there's a sharp curve or a steep hill up ahead. All it knows is to keep your speed constant and this can result in you losing control of your vehicle on the aforementioned sharp curve or steep hill. Check out our new Clermont Toyotas today Have questions or want to test out a new Toyota with cruise control? Call Toyota of Clermont! We've got the answers you need. Come and see us! We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike. You can also call to schedule an appointment ahead of time at (352) 404-7000. Explore our Clermont Toyota selection today!

Each time you take to the roads of Clermont, you've likely noticed the huge amount of SUVs and larger vehicles. If you've been paying attention to the automotive industry in recent years, SUVs and larger passenger vehicles are extremely popular and they are for many reasons. They afford drivers a great amount of interior space for passengers and storage, they're engineered with powerful engineering options, and they're very versatile. All in all, large vehicles are in charge and they make excellent family vehicles. However, with so many options out there, it can be a bit difficult to decide on which is right for you and your needs. Toyota of Clermont is here to help you out with some essential tips for picking out the right family vehicle. Things to Consider When Picking a Family Vehicle There's a wide variety of Clermont Toyota family vehicles and that means you should consider the needs of you and your family when selecting the right ride. Here are a few things you should consider: 1) How much storage and passenger space do you need? SUVs and other types of Clermont family vehicles are equipped with an abundance of space. But, these vehicles have a range of storage and passenger. For example, the Toyota RAV4 is the perfect blend of passenger and trunk space, but the Highlander is equipped with third row seating if you need to bring along a few more passengers. 2) What do you need your family vehicle to do? Believe it or not, family vehicles can do more than just act as passenger transport vehicles. The Clermont Toyota 4Runner is technically an SUV and can be used as a family vehicle. But it's also one of the best vehicles when it comes to off-roading. The Sequoia has recently been reintroduced with off-roading capabilities as well as the RAV4 with the Adventure and TRD Off-Roading editions. 3) Consider its features Toyota family vehicles are outfitted with a variety of convenience and safety features that set them apart from others. The Toyota Sienna offers unique features like Driver Easy Speak and a Blu Ray entertainment system. The 4Runner is equipped with Multi-Terrain Select to assist with off-roading and the Highlander has an available hybrid option when it comes to its engineering. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> 4) How much do you want to spend? While SUVs are kings of the road today, they don't come without a higher price tag than their sedan cousins. Before you decide on a particular family vehicle, make sure to consider the overall cost of the vehicle up front as well as the higher amount of gas you'll likely use throughout your time of ownership. 5) Are you comfortable driving a larger vehicle? If you're used to driving Clermont Toyota sedans then transitioning to a family vehicle might be a shock to your internal driver system. SUVs and other large passenger vehicles require more awareness when driving due to their large space and probability to overturning or flipping. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to take a few test drives to get comfortable with the vehicle. Are you ready to get behind the wheel of a Toyota family vehicle? We have a great selection available right now at Toyota of Clermont. Swing by the dealership at 16851 State Road 50 today!

Are you considering putting a new Toyota sports car in the driveway? There are a lot of options on the market right now - in fact, you can find two waiting for you at Toyota of Clermont. Both the 2020 Toyota 86 and 2020 Toyota GR Supra are on our lot right now, just waiting for you to get behind the wheel. However, before you sign the dotted line, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to ensure you're getting the perfect drive time solution. Read on! Ask yourself these 4 questions before buying a sports car Question #1: Which sports car will suit your lifestyle? Before you prepare your down payment for a new sports car, you have to ask yourself which one best suits your current lifestyle. If you're going to use it as a purely weekend car for fun only, then you can skip this question. But if it's going to be your day-t0-day driving solution, you have to make sure it fits your life. Do you need a car with a large enough backseat for passengers, or a trunk that's spacious enough to get your groceries home? What about weather - will you need to drive it in snow or ice, and can the car handle it? Make sure you pick something suitable for your needs before you shop our Clermont Toyotas. Question #2: Should you buy modern or classic? Another thing to consider is whether you want a modern sports car - like the Clermont Toyota GR Supra - or you want to shop classic to find a vintage car. If you shop new, you can take advantage of things like warranties, complimentary maintenance, and peace of mind that you have a reliable car. You can also shop right here at Toyota of Clermont. If you shop classic, on the other hand, you'll likely be shopping online and in the classifieds to find your ride. You should also set aside a chunk of your budget for repairs or restoration costs, and you have to decide if you're going to tackle these things by yourself or if you need to find a reliable mechanic to handle it for you. You should also take into consideration that the car might not be ready to drive right away. Question #3: Are you prepared for a rear-wheel-drive car? Most sports cars employ rear-wheel drive for that added get-up-and-go. However, if you're not used to it, it can take a bit of time to adjust your driving habits for safety and efficient performance. Rear-wheel-drive cars offer faster acceleration and sharper steering, so it may take some practice to avoid hitting the gas too hard or oversteering. Be ready to put the time in behind the wheel. Question #4: Where will you get insurance? Sports cars can be more expensive to insure than their conventional sedan, SUV, or truck counterparts. Shop around and find the best premium for your budget BEFORE you head to Toyota of Clermont to shop so you're not caught unawares. Let us get you behind the wheel of the perfect sporty ride today Have more questions or want to get shopping? You can view our sports car inventory online, or call us at (352) 404-7000 for more info! You can also come see us in person at Toyota of Clermont seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.

If social distancing has been teaching us anything, it's taught us to care for others and that we've suddenly found ourselves with more time on our hands. While you may be working from home currently, you're probably finding yourself left with a lot of time throughout the day that you need occupied with something to do. If you've already attempted (and hopefully succeeded) essential car care we've recommended and gave your car a good washing, it's time to try something else. There's never a bad time to get organized and with so much time on your hands it's the perfect time! Follow along with us at Toyota of Clermont as we share with you some tips on organizing your car. Best Tips for Organizing Your Car Start With One Area at a Time The best thing you can do while organizing your car is to not get overwhelmed and start with one area at a time. Your interior space may not seem that expansive, but you'll realize it's more than you thought once you get started. Start by organizing the area around your front seats. Clean out the center console and devise a way to organize all the essential goodies you need easy access to. It also helps to organize your glovebox. You'll need to make sure you have your vehicle registration and insurance information in there along with whatever else you might need. From there, move on to the back seats and eventually the trunk. Get Creative When organizing your car, it helps to get creative with how your store things and the tools you use to do so. Your Clermont Toyota car serves as a second dwelling so don't be afraid to use unconventional organizational items. Try using fabric shoe holders on your front seat headrests to make for a quick organizer in the back seat. Attach seat-side organizers underneath car seats so your kids have easy access to toys during your commute. Make Sure You Have the Essentials Like we said earlier, you should reserve space for important items in your Clermont glovebox like your registration and insurance info. But, what else is essential for your ride? You should always carry an emergency kit somewhere in your car. In the event that you get into an accident, suffer mechanical failure, or something else, you'll need to have certain items to get you out of a sticky situation. You should have a flashlight, jumper cables, first aid supplies, a tire pressure gauge, rain gear, a traffic warning device, and batteries. You should keep this somewhere in your trunk or somewhere you'll easily remember. Organizing your car can be daunting at first, but the more items that find their place the easier it gets. With plenty of spare time on your hands, you've got this! If you need tips or help organizing your ride, chat with us at Toyota of Clermont! Chat with us online or give us a call at (352) 404 7000.

When it comes to your car key, you probably don't put much thought into how you're going to maintain it. Tires, sure - you schedule your rotations and replace them as needed. Oil changes are a part of your car care routine and having your brakes serviced is familiar to you, too. But believe or not, your car key plays a vital function in your ability to hit the road, and Toyota of Orlando is here to tell you a bit more about this essential part as well as teach you how to maintain it. Let's talk a little bit about the history of car keys first. Did you know that the first car key wasn't even introduced until 1949 by Chrysler? Prior to its inception, getting your Orlando Toyota up and running would have been quite the task. You usually had to use a hand crank to get the engine up and running. push a button to activate the starter, and then turn a key to finish out the process. Time-consuming, right? And imagine doing it in bad weather. The introduction of the car key made getting up and running a whole lot simpler. Here are some highlights in its history: Like we said, Chrysler changed the game by introducing the first ignition system that could be put into motion with the single turn of a key. In 1965, the first double-sided key was introduced by Ford (up until then all keys were single-sided, which means they could only be put in the ignition one way). In 1987, the first car with remote keyless entry - the Cadillac Allante - was put on the market. In 1990, Lexus introduced the first laser-cut key to the market in its LS400 model. Laser cut keys increase the security of your vehicle because they're more difficult to make. Special equipment is required to cut them so they're harder to duplicate AND the locks are harder for thieves to pick. And since then, car keys have only continued to evolve. Many of our cars at Toyota of Orlando boast the Smart Key System, which lets you unlock your vehicle with the touch of a finger, and some vehicles even offer remote start capabilities. So how can you maintain your car key and give it a long life of unlocking doors and getting your ride started? Here are a few tips: If you use remote keyless entry, be sure to test your key in the locks periodically to ensure the locks aren't rusting. Replace the battery in your key fob every so often. You shouldn't need to do it often - maybe once every few years - but this way you'll always be up and running. Our Orlando Toyota service center can help you with this task. Always have a spare! You never know when you're going to lose your key or lock it inside of your car. Keep your spare somewhere OTHER than your vehicle, though. Have questions? Come see us - we're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.

Here at Toyota of Clermont we're doing everything we can to keep our guests and customers safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us and we've implemented several measure out our dealership and our sister store, Toyota of Orlando, to ensure that you're protected during your shopping experience with us. As the pandemic continues, our doors remain open for your car shopping and auto service needs. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> However, we do recommend that you complete a majority of your vehicle purchase online to lessen the amount of time in the showroom. Believe it or not, a majority of your sales process can be completed online before you even visit our Clermont dealership. If you need a little help navigating the online world of shopping for a car, we're here for you! Check out this guide on how to shop for car online with Toyota of Clermont. Save Time and Stay Safe by Shopping Online Browse Our Online Inventory As you probably know by now, every vehicle we have available for sale is listed on our website's virtual inventory. This makes shopping for a car online easy by including all information on a vehicle including: Owner history Clermont Toyota vehicle specifications MSRP Applicable discounts A list of features included with the specific vehicle This will help you narrow down the exact vehicle you want from the comfort of your couch. Value Your Trade-In More than likely, you're going to have your previous Clermont vehicle to trade-in to reduce the final price of your new one. If this is the case, you can get a preliminary estimate online by using our Value Your Trade tool. You can input information like your vehicle's mileage, condition, VIN number, and more to get an estimate on your vehicle's worth and how that will factor into your final purchase price. Use the Online Shopper Tool Our Online Shopper tool makes shopping for a car online a piece of cake. Using this tool, you can shop for the best financing for you online and peruse various discounts you may receive based on your individual characteristics. You can get pre-approved for financing, figure out your down payment, your monthly payment amount,  or configure an ideal lease. This can greatly reduce your time in the store and provide a safer and more sanitary purchasing process. Use Our Website Chat Tool Shopping online for a car can be a bit of a confusing and uncertain process. Luckily, we're here to help! Our Website Chat Tool is conveniently located on various pages of our website for easy access. You can use this tool to speak with one of our Clermont store associates as you navigate through the purchase process. Help is just a click away and so is the vehicle you want and need. During the uncertainty and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can be rest assured that we at Toyota of Clermont are doing everything we can to normalize the situation and provide you with the safest way to purchasing a vehicle. If you have questions or want to get started on shopping for a car online, visit our website or give us a call at (352) 404 7000.