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If you're a native or long-time resident of the Clermont area or to Florida in general, you've probably come to the same conclusion that most others have. Florida is just all sand and heat. While you wouldn't be entirely wrong in your thinking, it only takes a small sense of adventure to learn that there's more to this luscious and tropical state than just theme parks and beaches. There are so many interesting things to do around Florida, it's hard to decide on what to do during your weekend. Luckily, we at Toyota of Clermont have put together a short guide on cool activities and destinations that we're sure you'll love. So Many Fun Things to Do Near Clermont 1) Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales Located off the beaten path in Lake Wales, Florida, the Bok Tower Gardens is truly a destination to behold. Visitors can experience a variety of flora and capture pictures till their heart's content. It's hard to miss, but make sure to visit the Bok Tower in the center of the gardens during your visit. This unique structure plays bell tunes periodically and creates an amazingly peaceful atmosphere. 2) Scuba Dive and Snorkel at Devil's Den, Levy County If you're looking to take a trip back in time to one of North America's most pre-historic natural springs. Visitors can scuba dive and snorkel in the spring and see ancient rock formations and 33 million year-old fossil beds in 72 degree water. 3) Visit and Kayak Through the Brevard Zoo, Melbourne Educating yourself on conservation and seeing so many unique animals is a guaranteed way to take your weekend up a notch. But what makes the Brevard Zoo a unique location is the variety of things to do. It's only a short drive from Clermont and you can experience things like a kayaking tour, giraffe feeding, tree climbing, and a splash lagoon play park. 4) Take Selfies at the Wynwood Walls, Miami While Orlando and areas around Clermont have some wall graffiti art scattered around, the Wynwood Walls are known throughout the state (and Instagram) as the place to take awesome aesthetic pictures and admire local artists. This groovy neighborhood features art piece after art piece so visitors can take selfies and portraits to fill their camera rolls to capacity. 5) Catch a Mermaid Show at Weeki Watchee Springs, Spring Hill It's not every day you get to see a mermaid up close, but you can at Weeki Watchee springs! It's not far from Clermont and easily makes our top list of things to do in Florida. Guests can view mermaid show performances, go on scenic boat tours, and partake in wildlife education shows. You can always rent a kayak or canoe if you feel like experiencing the spring for yourself. 6) Dine on the Water at Marina Jack, Sarasota Sarasota is probably best known as the home of Siesta and Lido Key beaches, but Marina Jack is a true gem that you don't want to pass up. Make sure to take an evening dining cruise full of delicious food and great views. You can soak up some sun right in the park or entertain the kids at the splash park. From all of us at Toyota of Clermont, have an amazing weekend and try these unique things to do while you're out and about!

Do you have a roadside emergency kit in your car? If you do, what's in it? While you can typically buy these kits prepackaged, they usually don't have all the ins and outs you need to face an emergency out on the road. However, Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Our parts store at our dealership is stocked with all sorts of supplies that can come in handy when life throws the unexpected at you, and we've also compiled a list of all the necessary elements you'd want in a roadside emergency kit so you can build your own. Check out what our Clermont auto service techs recommend having on hand. Build your own basic roadside emergency kit To build a basic roadside emergency kit, we suggest you include the following items: A fully inflated spare tire - be sure to consistently check the spare for damage and inflation levels - as well as a tire jack and a lug wrench. This makes it easy to handle flat tires and blowouts. Jumper cables in case your battery goes dead Paper towels or rags to clean up messes fast A flashlight with extra batteries in case you need to deal with an emergency at night Road flares, glow sticks, or reflective signs so you can draw attention to your vehicle and avoid being hit by other drivers A non-explosive can of Fix-a-Flat as a backup to the spare tire A small first aid kit with all the basics you need to deal with minor injuries when you're out on the road A cell phone charger so you can always keep your devices charged up on the go A basic tool kit with duct tape OR a multi-purpose tool and a roll of duct tape Bottled water (be sure to rotate it out frequently) and non-perishable snacks, like nuts or granola An extra umbrella and a rain poncho (especially during Florida summers) And if you live in areas prone to cold weather, be sure to pack seasonal supplies. This means including items like a small foldable shovel, blankets, a bag of kitty litter (for traction on ice), an ice scraper, and an extra pair of gloves and a hat. Shop supplies for your kit at Toyota of Clermont If you REALLY want to take preparation up a level, here are a few other things our Clermont Toyota service techs recommend packing in your roadside emergency kit: Extra oil, coolant, and wiper fluid Spare fuses and lightbulbs so you can make quick repairs out on the road Tow ropes or straps Paper maps in case your navigation or GPS conks out An empty gas can A portable air pump for your tires A portable battery charger for a dead battery A car escape tool (it has a seatbelt cutter on one end and a window breaker on the other), which you should keep in your glovebox for easy access Want more tips on how to build a roadside emergency kit, or want to shop supplies at Toyota of Clermont's parts store? Stop by and see us today! We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just off the Florida Turnpike.

Cars today are packed with advanced technology that streamlines the entire process from key turn to key turn. New infotainment systems, steering wheel controls, memory settings for mirrors and seats, and advanced engineering all enhance our drive time and make our commutes just a little better. But have you ever wished for more from your ride? Maybe for a Heads-Up Display so you don't have to look away for your next direction, or maybe a device that makes eating the car similar to sitting at a table, or maybe something to just stay organized? Believe it or not, there are car accessories out there to suit just about every need for every driver out there. At Toyota of Clermont, we're here to help point you in the right direction if you're looking to get a little more convenience out of your ride with this tips and car accessories guide! How to Streamline Your Ride 1) Add a Little Cushion Driving long distances or driving in a vehicle with worn seats and upholstery can definitely do a number on your back. To ease the soreness and tension add some cushions to your Clermont Toyota vehicle's seats. These simple and inexpensive car accessories can be used for your lumbar, neck, behind, and areas where there's seat belt tension. 2) Install a Dashcam While you may not think you need it now, you'll definitely be changing your mind if you wind up in an accident or driving through a scenic area. Dashcams are extremely useful and convenient car accessories that can document everything that's going on in front of your windshield. This can give you proof if you and your Clermont Toyota car wind up in an accident. That, and, you can use it to take some pretty neat videos of your drive (like if you're going off-roading)! 3) Dude, Where's My Car? - Use a Vehicle Locator Have you ever parked and came back later to find you can't remember where you parked your car? We've been there! Now you can avoid that annoyingly familiar circumstance by installing a vehicle locator. These devices can be installed in the interior or in the engine compartment and use Bluetooth and GPS technology that links to your smartphone. This can help you find your ride if you have an "I swear I parked it right here" moment or in the case of vehicle theft. 4) Bring Your Car Into Modern Times If your Clermont Toyota vehicle is more like an old reliable than a new whip, then you may need a few car accessories to bring it into the 21st century. Adding a Bluetooth transmitter can turn that old aux cable setup into a modern wireless wonder. Adding a new infotainment can go a long way in keeping things convenient during your drive with navigation integration and better displays. 5) Never Wind Up with a Dead Battery There's nothing worse than starting your Clermont Toyota car and finding you have a dead battery and then waiting on someone to come give you a jump. This essential car accessory can help with that! A portable battery charge/jump box connects to your dead battery and deliver a steady charge to get your battery back up to speed. Most are rechargeable so don't forget to plug it in for a while before you leave the house.   Ready to up your convenience game? Have a chat with our auto parts specialists at Toyota of Clermont about car accessories today! They can help point you in the right direction on what to buy and how you can best keep your ride convenient. Give us a call at (352) 404 - 7000 today!

When it comes to buying a car, the options are truly limitless. You can choose between a variety of car manufacturers, like Toyota, then you have all the models in the make's lineup, and then you have trim level options to choose from, and then you can choose between new and used options for your next car. It can be overwhelming sifting through all the various options you have at your disposal during the vehicle buying process and researching each one to see which Clermont Toyota vehicle is just right for you. After you've narrowed down your options, it's time to decide if you want to go new or used. There are several benefits to purchasing either vehicle type, but it can get confusing and difficult to decide. To make things easy, Toyota of Clermont's here with a guide on buying a car. Buying a New Car Pros Buying a car that's in new condition almost guarantees that there will be little to no engineering issues that can happen with used vehicles. There should be little to no cosmetic defects on the vehicle both on the exterior and in the interior. Purchasing a used car oftentimes means purchasing a vehicle that's a year or two older and you may be missing out on new technology that's been recently released. Buying a car that's new often affords drivers with new technology features. Buying a new Clermont Toyota car means you can take advantage of different warranties in the event that something goes wrong. Depending on when you buy a used car and how many miles are on the engine, you may find that it's out of warranty. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Cons New cars depreciate quickly (unless you purchase a vehicle like the Clermont Toyota FJ Cruiser). This means that $30,000 vehicle you purchased will quickly lose value. Depending on how much you drive it and any damage you accumulate over time, you may lose half of the vehicle's value. You're going to be upside down when buying a car that's in new condition. Unless the vehicle accumulates value or retains it well over time, you're likely going to wind up upside down right from the moment you sign on the dotted line because of the various fees associated with buying a car. Buying a Used Car Pros The sticker price of a used car is significantly lower than that of a new car as the depreciation of it has likely come and gone. Buying a car in used condition is very safe today. They're very reliable, heavily tested, and reputable car dealerships (like Toyota of Clermont) sell used cars of all types. Because you're paying less for the vehicle, you can afford to go a bit bigger on the price of your used vehicle. Cons You could wind up purchasing a lemon. This means the vehicle has been through the driving ringer and likely won't perform well unless major repairs are completely. There may be some light cosmetic damages. The technology may be older. If you're buying a car with a higher amount of miles you may need to repair the vehicle to get it back up and running. Buying a car can get complicated, but Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Check out your next ride on our lot today or call us at (352) 404 - 7000 to schedule an appointment with our auto sales experts today!

Are you ready for summer? It's fast approaching - although it TECHNICALLY doesn't begin until June 21, everyone here in Central Florida is already gearing up for fun in the sun. Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner and school will be out in no time, and on top of that, temps are set to climb into the 90s next week. However, just like any other season, you need to prepare yourself and your car before you hit the highway this summer. Toyota of Clermont is here with 5 summer driving safety tips to help you make it happen. Check out Toyota of Clermont's summer driving safety tips Tip #1: Prepare your car for hot weather so it doesn't overheat. Your car has to work harder in the summer because the weather outside is hotter, but this especially rings true if you're hitting the highway and traveling long distances at high speeds. Have our Clermont auto service techs check out your oil and other fluids to ensure your car is ready to handle it and you're not at risk of overheating while out on the road. Tip #2: Pay special attention to your tires and be ready for blowouts. Summer is the time of year that your car is more prone to blowouts, unfortunately. Couple the hot pavement with the hot air expanding inside of your tires and you have the perfect recipe for a blowout, which can be dangerous at high speeds. Make sure your tires are in excellent condition and inflated to the proper PSI before you hit the road (Toyota of Clermont can help you if you need assistance). Tip #3: Be aware of teen drivers on the roads. School is out during the summer, which means more teens are hitting the road to hone their skills. However, summer is also the time of year where we see the highest number of teen driver deaths. Be aware of teen drivers and be sure to engage in defensive driving (no distractions!) so you can avoid accidents before they happen. Additionally, if you have a teen driver who's about to take to the open road this summer, make sure they're well prepared when it comes to driving safety and that they've got plenty of practice to lean on. Tip #4: Mentally prepare yourself for more traffic, especially on highways. Although school is out, a lot more people plan their vacations for the summertime so you're more likely to hit traffic, especially on the highways. Make sure you're aware of traffic driving safety and how to handle congestion and check your route before you leave the house so if need be, you can take a faster alternate. Tip #5: Know how to tow. Heading to the lake or hitching up the bikes this summer? Regardless of what you're towing or hauling, you need to do it with driving safety in mind. This means ensuring that your car is equipped to tow and can handle the weight you're asking of it, and also that you're aware of how to tow safely and responsibly. Schedule auto service to get your car ready for summer Want more tips? Want to find the perfect first car for your teen driver or schedule Clermont auto service to check your fluids and tires? Call us today - we're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000!

Are you sick of riding around in a ride that just doesn't have the entertainment capabilities you really want? We get it - technology today makes listening to music, checking navigation, and scoping traffic easier than ever from the driver's seat. Commandeering an older car without those capabilities can get frustrating, especially when it comes to playing the music you want. However, there's a remedy in sight - upgrading your audio system to get it where you want it to be. But where do you start? Check out Toyota of Clermont's quick guide to upgrading this essential car part below. Where do you start when upgrading your audio system? Step #1: Do your research. You don't want to throw just any product into your car, and you want to make sure whatever you choose is tailored to your audio system needs. Ask yourself what your audio priorities are - do you want a clearer sound? More bass? More infotainment capabilities? Make a list of your wants and then find the equipment that can best satisfy them. You also need to be aware of the work that this project will entail - if you're not comfortable with getting your hands dirty, then you may want to visit our Clermont Toyota service center to get help from our parts and service specialists. You also need to plan to buy audio system parts in a way that's conducive to your budget. Step #2: Choose a new head unit or receiver. Your first purchase when upgrading your audio system should be a new head unit or receiver. This part will allow you to upgrade infotainment capabilities like navigation, Bluetooth streaming, Satellite Radio, and more. Plus, it'll help you decide which speakers you want for your upgraded system. Step #3: Find the right speakers. Before you choose speakers, count how many are in your car. The number can vary pretty widely - we see anywhere from 4-14 in our Clermont Toyotas depending on the system. You may want to replace all of them or you may just want to replace a few depending on your budget. Our pro tip? Start at the front of the car (where you sit) and work your way back so you notice the improvements every time you get behind the wheel. Let Toyota of Clermont point you in the right direction Step #4: Consider an amplifier. After you've figured out how many speakers you need and which ones you want, it's time to invest in an amplifier. This part is essential to your audio system - your new speakers will require more power than your old ones, and you don't want to drain your battery every time you turn up the jams. An amplifier will ensure that your speakers get the power you need without taking a toll on your Clermont Toyota's performance. Start with a four-channel amplifier and move up from there with additional channels depending on how many speakers you need. Step #5: Explore the possibility of a subwoofer. You may also want to invest in a subwoofer for your new updated system. This part pumps up the bass in your ride. Just keep in mind that it's a pretty large speaker - you'll likely need trunk space to house it. Want to start shopping audio system parts or get some expert advice? Call Toyota of Clermont today at (352) 404-7001!

When selecting your new Clermont Toyota vehicle, there are many options you can choose from to make sure that your new ride is exactly the way you want it to be. Some vehicles offer major exterior options like different bumpers and headlights, you can change your interior upholstery materials, tech features, safety features, engine type, the options are limitless. One thing you may or may not have considered along your car buying journey is the type of drivetrain being used in your vehicle. If you're wondering what that is, think about the acronyms, FWD, 4WD, AWD, and RWD. These all inform the driver which wheels on your vehicle are used to propel your vehicle forward. Most come equipped with front and rear wheel drive, but what if you're thinking you need all-wheel drive? Lucky for you, Toyota of Clermont is here to inform you of what all-wheel drive and tell you if you actually need it for your new ride! What is All-Wheel Drive? At this point, you may be wondering what distinguishes all-wheel drive from other drivetrains. For one, all-wheel drive uses all four wheels on your Clermont Toyota vehicle for power and forward motion while front and rear wheel only use two (either the front and the back). The other drivetrain similar to AWD would be four-wheel drive. This drivetrain uses larger and more heavy-duty components in order to provide more power to your vehicle's wheels while all-wheel drive sends constant power to all the wheels, but not in such excess that 4WD does. We get it, it's pretty confusing as to the exact difference between the drivetrains. Essentially, AWD powers your Clermont Toyota car's wheels constantly and is used mainly on luxury vehicles while 4WD provides extra power, can adapt to different terrain, and is often found on off-roading type vehicles, like the Toyota 4Runner. Do You Need All-Wheel Drive on Your Vehicle? Luckily, if you're a native Clermont resident and don't plan on moving to a place where it snows, you most likely won't need to use all-wheel drive on your vehicle. The reason being is that most vehicles are able to get by only using two wheels as that provides enough grip and traction on surfaces that rarely see any type of treacherous conditions. While it does rain frequently in Florida, two wheel drive will be sufficient in keeping your vehicle on the road. Driving somewhere with more rain or snow definitely makes having AWD on your vehicle seem like a good idea, but truthfully its not always necessary. Conditions like these always requires drivers to be alert, aware, and more cautious. Whether or not your Clermont Toyota car is equipped with all-wheel drive, if you're not careful when driving in these conditions you may wind up running into some issues and your drivetrain won't be enough to help. Plus, AWD equipped vehicles are often more expensive than two wheel drive vehicles. All in all, all-wheel drive is ideal for those who need peace of mind from their vehicles, but not necessary, even for those who live in places that experience inclement weather. Ready to get behind the wheel of your new ride or have more questions about all-wheel drive? Come check out your new ride or ask one of our auto service experts any questions at Toyota of Clermont! We're open seven days a week and located at 16851 State Road 50.

If you live near Orlando or in the Clermont area, you’ve likely noticed the rise of local craft breweries! In fact, there’s now an ale trail dedicated to experiencing all the different local spot for great craft beer. There are more than enough to try to make for a great weekend experiencing local craft beer and the people who make it. To help streamline your experience, Toyota of Clermont has compiled a list of the top 5 best ones to visit. While this is a fun weekend activity, please remember to never drink and drive and always have a designated driver to help you get home safely! Have you tried these Local Craft Breweries? 1) Orlando Brewing When it comes to beer, Orlando Brewing knows how to make it good! This local craft brewery has been around since 2006 and is home to a variety of organic hand-crafted beers that are packed with flavor for every palette. They offer free educational tours to help guests learn about what goes into their beer along with various taproom events like live music and pet adoptions. It’s located right in south downtown Orlando, only a short drive from Clermont, and will rock your world! 2) Ocean Sun Brewing Listed at number 1 on Yelp, Ocean Sun Brewing is located on Curry Ford Road (in what’s now known as the Hourglass District) and is the best destination for good times, awesome people, and even better beer. With a constantly rotating tap and a huge variety of traditionally styled beers, there’s something for everyone, including your four-legged friends and kids! The open, pet, and kid friendly atmosphere is perfectly accented with board games, TV, darts, and cornhole! Make sure to ask for a tour of the brewery if you want to know more about how your beer made it to your glass and stick around for all the events always going on! 3) Ten10 Brewing Co The Mills district near Clermont is an iconic neighborhood with a lot of flavor and personality. Ten10 Brewing Co is an absolute local craft brewery essential you have to try! They have a great selection of in-house brewed beers (each with unique and, frankly, awesome names) along with several delicious food offerings. Make sure to take a growler home for a little slice of beer heaven right in your home. 4) Ellipsis Brewing With an impressive sixteen beers on tap, you’ll be hard pressed to find a local craft beer you don’t like at Ellipsis! Located right off Lee Vista Boulevard, near Orlando, this brewery sports a spacious and naturally lit atmosphere that you can’t find everywhere. This local craft brewery and taproom features a 7,500 square foot brewery and friendly staff. 5) Dead Lizard Brewing Company While the name is a little unorthodox, it’s as unique as beer and atmosphere of this local craft brewery and you can’t find that anywhere. Dead Lizard Brewing is located right near our sister dealership, Toyota of Orlando, and features twelve beers of tap. This local craft brewery near Clermont has wicked cool style and bold flavor. Wherever you venture this weekend, be safe, be careful, and have fun!

Are you someone who’s currently driving a sedan or a compact crossover longing for a different experience from your ride? With all the different types of vehicles on the road, there’s never been a better time to really experience a variety of driving experiences, depending on the vehicle you drive. A great option, if you’re looking for an entirely different driving experience, is a Toyota pickup truck like the Clermont Toyota Tundra or Tacoma. However, trucks are vehicles that serve a specific purpose and they’re not meant for every driver out there. To see if you’re a good candidate to drive a Toyota pickup truck, check out this guide on the pros and cons of owning a truck from Toyota of Clermont. Pros of Owning and Driving a Pickup Truck Driving a Clermont Toyota truck definitely affords the driver with several advantages. Here are the main positive points to consider if you’re in the market for a truck: Interior and Cargo Space: While it’s fair to assume that pickup trucks lack interior space due to their large bed sizes. However, trucks are now being designed to include larger cabin sizes and larger bed sizes in order to maximize cargo loads and passenger comfort. Those purchasing a Clermont Toyota pickup truck can choose between options like single and double cab or short and long beds. This gives future drivers the opportunity to highly customize their truck to meet their needs. Power and Towing: When it comes to power and torque, the truck is king. Not only can trucks carry larger loads in the back bed, but they’re also renowned for their impressive towing capacity. For example, the Clermont Toyota Tundra pickup truck can tow over 10,000 pounds and can be equipped with several different types of tow hitches. Off-Roading: If you’re someone who dreams of taking things off the beaten path and exploring new destinations, then you’re going to want to use a Clermont Toyota truck to do some off-roading. Trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are engineered and fortified to handle the rough terrain. Not only that, but pickup trucks include several Clermont Toyota features like four-wheel drive, active traction control, CRAWL control, two front towing hooks, skid plates, and multi-terrain select and/or monitors. Cons of Owning a Pickup Truck While it sounds great to drive a truck, here are some downsides to consider: Fuel Efficiency: Trucks are more like gulpers than sippers when it comes to gas. They’re much larger in size and have bigger hardware under the hood. Essentially, get ready to trade MPG for power. Space: While you have more interior and storage space on a Clermont pickup truck, it’s a much larger vehicle to maneuver around than a sedan. Parking becomes more difficult, your blind spots are larger, and there’s always the chance of toppling when turning around corners. Price Tag: Trucks are specialty vehicles that serve a specific purpose, towing, hauling, and putting in work. Because of the additional engineering and structural features, trucks carry a higher price tag. If you’re looking for something to simply drive that sits higher and has more interior space, you’d be better off purchasing a Clermont Toyota SUV. Ready to get behind the wheel of a rough and tough pickup truck? Come check out the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra today at Toyota of Clermont! We’re located at 16851 State Road 50 and open seven days a week.

Driving around Clermont isn’t short on road hazards that can put a nail in your afternoon, or in your tire. With all the construction around Orlando and road debris aplenty, you could be cruising down the road and before you know it your tire pressure lights are coming on and you’re pulling over onto the shoulder in a panic. Luckily, with comprehensive vehicle insurance you can call a tow truck or roadside assistance to give you a hand and fix the problem. But what if you’re in a rush or can’t get ahold of a service provider? Changing a flat tire on your own can seem intimidating, but it’s actually a very straightforward procedure and you’re given all the tools you need with your new vehicle. Make Sure you Have the Right Parts to Get the Job Done If you’ve been forced to pull over due to a flat tire, the first thing you should do is make sure you have all the necessary tools needed for a replacement. To replace a damaged tire, you’ll need a spare tire, jack, and a lug wrench that matches the lug nuts on your wheels. It also doesn’t hurt to have a towel or a mat to make the procedure more comfortable or a flashlight in case you need to replace your tire in the dark. Step-by-Step How to Change a Tire Pull over After you realize that you have a flat tire, make sure to begin pulling over as quickly as you can to avoid any further damage. Make sure you bring your Clermont Toyota vehicle to a safe spot that’s out of the way of oncoming traffic. Put on your hazard lights When pulled over in an emergency, you should always activate your hazard lights to warn other drivers that you’re there. Place and Raise the Jack Your jack is there to raise your Clermont Toyota vehicle. But, before you start cranking away, make sure to consult your owner’s manual to get the placement right. Remove the Tire After your vehicle has been elevated to the right height, it’s time to use your lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and the tire. Before you start, pull the e-brake in your car to avoid the vehicle rolling back if you’re on an angled surface. Mount the Spare Before you mount the spare tire, make sure to check the tire pressure and make sure it’s at the proper level (usually anywhere from 40 – 55 psi). When mounting the tire, make sure to place and tighten the lug nuts sequentially in a clock-wise fashion. Lower your Vehicle and Head to Toyota of Clermont After you’ve finished replacing your spare tire, lower your vehicle and put all your parts back. Remember, your spare tire is only meant to drive for a short time until you can replace it with your original tire. If you need a reliable and fairly priced auto service garage to fix your tire, then come down to Toyota of Clermont! We’ll get your flat tire fixed at an affordable price and get you back on the road. We’re located at 16851 State Road 50 and open seven days a week!

Thinking about getting out of town for a spring break road trip? You're not the only one - people all across the country take to the highway to spend their week off finding fun in the sun. It's the perfect time of year to hit the road and find some adventure. However, if your car isn't ready for highway travel you won't get very far. Toyota of Clermont is here to help - we have a spring break road trip checklist to get your car prepped for the long miles ahead. Check it out! Don't head out on the open road before you run through this spring break road trip checklist #1: Check your car's battery from top to bottom. Does it look like it's in good physical condition? Do you see any signs of rusts or leaks? Is it swelling abnormally? You should also have our Clermont auto service techs test your battery's voltage to see if you're due for a replacement BEFORE you head out to the open highway. #2: Inspect your car's tires. How do your car's tires look? Make sure they're free from any damage, like bulges and blisters, punctures or tears, or sidewall separation. You also want to check the PSI to ensure they're inflated to the right level, and check your tread depth to ensure it's going to give you the traction that you need. And don't forget to schedule your tire rotation if you're due for one - Toyota of Clermont can take care of it for you. #3: Maintain your headlights. Ensure your headlights, taillights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all working before you head out - you never know when your road trip will find you on the highway at night. #4: Get that oil change you've been putting off. You should never hit the highway if you're behind on oil changes. Highway driving requires driving long distances at high speeds, so your engine has to work overtime. Oil keeps your engine cool and lubricated when it's working hard so you want to ensure your car has a tank full of clean oil - depleted or dirty oil will likely land you with an overheated car and irreversible engine damage. #5: Check your wiper blades out. We're hoping you get nothing but sunshine on your spring break road trip, but you never know. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and if they're worse for the wear, have them replaced at Toyota of Clermont before you head out of town. #6: Top off any fluids under the hood that are low. Oil isn't the only fluid that keeps everything running as it should under the hood. You'll also want our Clermont auto service techs to check out your coolant, wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid and top off anything that looks low. Let Toyota of Clermont get you prepped for the highway Want to schedule Clermont Toyota service to get prepped and ready for your spring break road trip? We're open seven days a week - call us to schedule your appointment at (352) 404-7000.

Smoke coming from under your hood, strange sounds, and odd smells all spell trouble and can mean that your Clermont Toyota vehicle might be experiencing engine damage. While the telltale signs and panic are strong feelings you’ll get, soon will follow repair and maintenance expenses, plus your vehicle will be out of commission for quite some time. If you haven’t encountered any of these telltale signs, then your Clermont Toyota vehicle can be saved from engine damage and all it takes is a proper auto service regimen and plenty of precautions. Our Clermont auto service techs have a guide for you so you can avoid engine damage. Telltale signs of engine damage and what to do Your check engine light comes on While the bright lights on your dashboard seem pretty and cryptic, but they can tell you a lot about what’s going on under the hood of your vehicle. Before you panic, make sure to check your gas cap first, your check engine could come on in your gas cap is loose and it may not be an engine damage issue at all. If the light stays on, then your Clermont Toyota vehicle may have a problem. Make sure to bring your vehicle to the dealership immediately as this could be a fuel injection system, or an emission system issue, an ignition system issue, or something else. Pay attention to the sounds your car is making It’s easy to turn up your tunes and ignore the sounds your Clermont Toyota vehicle is making. Your vehicle shouldn’t make any crazy noises like squealing, knocking, and rumbling. If it is, you more than likely have some form of engine damage occurring. If you suspect that your vehicle is making odd noises, turn down the music and listen for a bit. Follow your nose You may be smelling the fries you dropped under your seat last week, or it could be engine damage currently affecting your Clermont Toyota vehicle. Smells like gasoline, mildew, rotten eggs, syrup, or hot oil can spell major trouble for the hardware under your hood and can lead to other various problems. Make sure to head down to our auto service center immediately to have this issue diagnosed. Watch out for smoke or steam If you start to see smoke or steam coming from the engine compartment of your car, think of it as a smoke signal and don’t ignore it. Your Clermont Toyota vehicle is definitely experiencing engine damage if you begin to see smoke or steam coming from under the hood. This could be caused by engine overheating, an oil or gas leak, or possibly an emission system issue. Get on a regular auto service schedule at Toyota of Clermont today! Engine damage is highly preventable with just preventive auto service. At Toyota of Clermont, our auto service experts can help prevent your engine from getting damaged. Our auto service department is open seven days a week and you can find us at 16851 State Road 50.