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If you’re in need of a set of wheels, there are several options to make that happen. Purchasing a vehicle in cash or financing from your bank is great for ownership purposes, but have you ever considered leasing? Vehicle leasing sounds intimidating and more like “borrowing a car,” but we’re here to set the record straight. We asked our Toyota of Clermont auto sales experts about what vehicle leasing entails and made an easy to follow guide for you. If you’re thinking of leasing your next Clermont Toyota vehicle, read on! What exactly is vehicle leasing? Vehicle leasing is, essentially, a driver paying for their use of their chosen car over a certain number of years. A driver’s payment for the lease compensates for depreciation a vehicle suffers as it’s driven. Clermont Toyota vehicles that are leased involve a contractual agreement that determines your mileage limit, ownership length, and monthly payments. At the end of your vehicle leasing term, the Clermont Toyota vehicle is then returned to the dealership and you’re given the option to decline a new lease, start a new lease with an all new vehicle, or purchase the vehicle you had been driving under your previous lease. While leasing a Clermont Toyota vehicle may seem intimidating at first, but it comes with many great benefits like: No personal depreciation on a vehicle, meaning you avoid purchasing a vehicle and later selling it for less than what you initially paid for it. You can lease and drive a new Clermont Toyota vehicle at the end of your lease term. Payments for lease agreements are typically less than that of financing and there are incentives built in to lower monthly payments and down-payments. What to consider when leasing a Clermont Toyota vehicle Vehicle leasing is very different from purchasing a Toyota vehicle, but the pre-paperwork process is very similar. Before you sign on the dotted line for your new ride, here are a few things you should consider: Consider your needs when it comes to your Clermont Toyota vehicle. Do you need additional space for family members, or maybe you need a truck for work purposes, or maybe you just need a car that’ll get you to and from work. Whatever your needs may be, make sure to outline them before starting the leasing process. Your lease term and how long you need your vehicle and want to pay for it. What your ideal financing and interest rates are. This will determine your monthly payments so be sure to be realistic with what you can afford. Mileage and wear and tear stipulations. Budgets for either will have to be determined in your contract. Lease your new ride with Toyota of Clermont If you’re thinking of trying vehicle leasing for your next ride or you have some questions regarding the process, Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Our auto sales experts can answer all your questions and get you in a new Toyota vehicle at a price you can agree with. Visit us at 16851 State Road 50 seven days a week!

It’s time to trade in trips to the beach for homework and school bells ringing. August is here and that means it’s time to head back to school. While the new school year can be stressful, it’s another opportunity to learn and grow. If your kids or maybe you are heading back to school this month, you need to make sure your Clermont Toyota vehicle is ready to take on the year. The extra commuting day in and day out can be a strain on your vehicle and you need to make sure it’s ready to tackle the new school year. Luckily, Toyota of Clermont is here with auto services you should have done before heading to first period! Get yourself and your vehicle ready to head back to school Get that oil change done and your tires rotated. Regular maintenance for your Clermont Toyota vehicle is important any time of the year, but with the school year demanding more from your car it’s especially important. Have your oil changed and your tires rotated so your vehicle can get up and get you to school. At the very least, a Toyota of Clermont auto service tech should inspect your tire tread and oil condition for your peace of mind and to make sure that you’ll make it to school without a breakdown or flat tire. If you can’t make it to the auto service department in time, you can always inspect both yourself! Check your oil by running a clean paper towel over your dipstick and looking at the color of the oil and check your tire tread using a quarter. Check your dashboard. If your check engine light or your tire pressure lights have been on and you’re putting off getting them checked, now is the right time to stop! Going back to school means there’s little time to spare for repairs and, if left unchecked, your vehicle’s condition could worsen over time. Prepare your vehicle. Every Clermont Toyota vehicle should be equipped with a kit of items you might need on the road. Make sure you have things like jumper cables, a first aid kit, a tire pressure gauge, and whatever else you might need on hand. You never know if you’ll need your battery jumped or your tire swapped while on your way to first period. Make sure you have everything you need to head back to school prepared! Give your vehicle a good detailing and washing. Being strapped for time during back to school season means trying to detail and clean your car is especially difficult. Before the first day gets here, make sure to spend some time detailing your vehicle and giving it a good exterior wash. Driving around in a clean car means that staying organized is much easier and you’ll less stressed while commuting early in the morning. Tackle back to school season with Toyota of Clermont Heading back to school can be stressful and making sure your vehicle is ready for class can be a lot. Let Toyota of Clermont help you out! Our expert auto service techs can inspect your vehicle top-to-bottom and even detail it for you! Give us a call at (352) 404 – 7000 today!

Gum wrappers and food falling between the seats, dirt from your shoes getting into the floor mats, spilled coffee on your center console, or whatever it may be, your Clermont Toyota car interior takes a lot of punishment over time. Keeping it clean can be a bother, especially when the mess has piled up for so long but, maintaining a clean interior after a good detailing is a lot easier than you think. If you’re unsure about how to detail your car interior, have no fear, Toyota of Clermont is here with an easy guide to cleaning your interior. A few easy steps for a spotless car interior Step 1) Get your tools together. If you want to detail your car interior properly, you’re going to need the right tools. Surface specific cleaners, a vacuum cleaner, brushes and cloths, and plenty of space are just a few things you’ll need. Having these together will help speed up the cleaning process and give you an ideal detailing. Step 2) Have a game plan. While it may seem like a good idea to dive headfirst into your car detailing, we at Toyota of Clermont recommend that you have a plan of attack to efficiently clean your car interior. Always start up high, meaning wipe down the windshield, the dashboard, and air conditioning vents before moving on to the center console, seats, and carpet. This will keep dust and other debris from getting on areas you’ve already cleaned. Step 3) Start cleaning! Now that you have a plan in mind and the right tools, it’s time to start cleaning! Start by using a glass cleaner and microfiber cloth to clean the interior sides of your windows and windshield. From there, use an all-purpose cleaner and/or conditioner to wipe your dashboard and plastic parts near the infotainment system and air conditioning cluster. Make sure to avoid using a seat cleaner for these parts because you could wind up staining these parts or leaving yourself with another thing to clean. Perhaps the most difficult parts to clean when detailing your Clermont Toyota car interior are the seats. Getting down in the nooks and crannies can prove challenging, but this will keep you from finding hidden surprise messes later. Depending on the material your car seats are made of, you’ll have to use specific cleaners to get the optimal detailing you’re looking for. If your seats are made of leather, use a leather cleaner with an added conditioner to better preserve the clean and the material itself over time. Vacuuming your Clermont Toyota car interior can be tricky when trying to get to all the spaces under and between your seats. Remove your floor mats before starting to vacuum and clean them outside of your Clermont Toyota. Move your seats forward and backward for easy access and use the brush and narrow nozzle attachments on your vacuum to get into those hard to reach areas. If you’re finding stains on your Clermont Toyota car interior carpet, you might want to think about renting a foaming carpet cleaner. This will give your carpet a deep clean and get rid of any stains you may find. Step 4) Eliminate odors. If your car interior has been messy for an extended period, odors can appear and persist if left unchecked. Before you use an odor remover or air freshener, be sure to find where the smell is coming from. It could be something that’s been dropped in your Clermont Toyota somewhere or even bacteria or mold in the air conditioning vents. If you’re having trouble finding the source of the odor, our auto service techs at Toyota of Clermont would be happy to help you! Your car interior needs met at Toyota of Clermont Detailing your car interior can be rewarding, but also challenging and time consuming. If you still have questions about what to use to get the job done or can’t find the time to do it, Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Our auto parts department has a great selection of detailing products and our expert auto service techs can clean your interior for you during your next oil change or tire rotation. Call us at (352) 404 – 7000 to schedule an appointment today!

Are you ready for hurricane season? It's officially here - it kicked off June 1 (although we did have a few "disturbances" swirling around even before then) and stretches all the way into November. Hopefully, you took advantage of the tax-free week and stocked up on supplies and have a plan of defense for your home. However, what about your car? And what if you have to evacuate in your vehicle? Toyota of Clermont is here with tips. Prep your car for hurricane season with these tips 1) Know where to park your car. If you live near the coast, it's a smart idea to find higher ground for parking during a hurricane. You don't want your car to sustain damage in flood waters. Protected parking is best, like a garage, parking garage, or even a carport. If you can't find protected parking for your ride then at least try to park away from trees and power poles that can fall and damage your car. 2) Check your insurance policy. What kind of coverage does your insurance policy offer in the case of a hurricane? Be sure to call your insurance company or review your papers, and make adjustments if you feel like what you have isn't going to be enough to protect your vehicle. 3) Gas up beforehand. Be sure to fill up your tank with gas BEFORE the storm hits. Plan to do it 48 hours beforehand if you possibly can (and limit your driving after that) so you're not stuck waiting in long lines right before or right after the storm. Also, you don't want to have to do an emergency evacuation and have an empty tank! 4) Remove all valuables and take plenty of pictures. Take pictures of your car to help out on your insurance claim and prove the condition it was in before the storm. Also, be sure to get any and all valuables and paperwork out of the car before you park it. Use these Clermont Toyota tips in the case of an evacuation Forced to evacuate? Check out these Clermont Toyota tips for that situation: 1) Have a route planned before. Everyone knows to get away from the storm, but what specific roads will you take to get out of dodge? What if those roads are backed up with traffic - are there alternate routes for you to take? Plot everything out beforehand and make sure you know how to use the navigation in your vehicle. 2) Pack early. Pack early so you're not rushing and forgetting things. Be sure to bring food and water (especially if you're going to a shelter), clothes, medications, phone and tablet chargers, important papers, cash, and valuables. And don't forget about your pets - you'll need food, water, treats, toys, and medications for them, too. 3) Keep your car in good shape. Make sure you stay up to date on brakes, tires, oil changes, coolant, batteries, headlights, and wipers so you're ready to hit the road at a moment's notice. Are you and your car ready for hurricane season? Get your ride prepped today at Toyota of Clermont - we're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just off the Florida Turnpike.

Buying your first car is all parts rewarding and stressful. Making sure you get the features you want for a good price can be challenging, but Toyota of Clermont is here with some tips and tricks for getting the right car for you. Whether you’re buying new or used, doing your research, having a form of payment lined up, and choosing the right seller will make the process all the better. Toyota of Clermont has a wide selection of new and certified pre-owned vehicles to fit within any budget and sales experts there to help you every step of the way. Finding the right car for you Out of all the cars out there, finding the right one can seem like a daunting process. It takes time, patience, and determination to get the vehicle fit for you and your budget. By following these helpful tips, buying your first car will be a breeze. Be honest and realistic with your vehicle needs. Getting caught up in all of the feature packages of a new or used car is easy to do, but to maximize your budget you have to be realistic. Maybe you don’t need four-wheel drive, or the sport package, or the upgraded infotainment system. When shopping for your first car, be practical and find features you really need and want while staying within your budget. Keep your budget straight. Keeping your budget inflexible will save you money when buying your first car. Make sure to shop at or below your maximum price and keep that in mind throughout your buying process. Toyota of Clermont has a great inventory of new and used vehicles to suit any budget! Know your credit score and/or have financing lined up. Finding the right way to pay for your first car is one of the most important and stressful processes during the buying process. Making sure that your credit score is good and that you have financing lined up with either your bank or Toyota of Clermont will save you time and stress. Get multiple quotes. Shopping around for your first car seems exhausting, but being exhaustive will save you money on this important purchase. Whether it be for different Clermont Toyota vehicles or quotes from different dealerships, make sure that you’re getting the lowest price for your vehicle. Get all of the info you can about your ideal vehicle. Now that you’ve shopped prices for your first car, it’s time to get serious about what you’re buying. Inquiring about vehicle history and checking maintenance records are highly recommended by our expert sales staff before signing on the dotted line. Look everywhere. When inspecting your Clermont Toyota, be sure to check every nook and cranny, even if the vehicle is new. Verifying that the vehicle matches its history report and doesn’t show signs of significant damage or engineering issues is important when shopping for your vehicle. There’s always the chance of buying a lemon and you can protect yourself by inspecting everything first. Test drive. Taking your first car for a spin before crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s will solidify your confidence that this is the vehicle for you. Our Toyota of Clermont sales experts are always happy to test drive with you while sharing additional information about the vehicle. Sign on the dotted line. Now that you’ve taken these steps to purchasing your first car, you’re ready to sign the papers and get the keys to your new Clermont Toyota! Toyota of Clermont is here to help If you’re still a little nervous about buying your first car, have no fear, Toyota of Clermont is here! Our expert sales and service representatives are more than happy to answer any questions and will be there to help you throughout the purchasing process. Give us a call at (352) 404 – 7000 or visit us at 16851 State Road 50 to check out our inventory of new and certified pre-owned vehicles. We’re open seven days a week!

Summer traffic slowing down your commute? School may be out, but rush hour is still crazy and an influx of tourists to Central Florida is about to jam up the roads even more. With Memorial Day Weekend hours away, we're here to share traffic tips to help you beat the heat and stay cool behind the wheel no matter how packed the roads are. Check out our best Clermont Toyota advice! Don't let traffic slow you down this summer Tip #1: Plan ahead for both time and route. Check traffic and weather before you leave the house - we all know that rain can slow things down in Clermont. If it's going to be crowded on the roads or you know of a crash or wet weather, be sure to leave yourself extra time to get where you need to go. Also, plan an extra route! If you know your way around town then try using back roads to beat the rush, or use the navigation found in so many of our Clermont Toyota cars to get you around the jam. Tip #2: Get comfortable. If you're in for a long drive, make sure you're in comfortable clothes and that you have a snack and drink within arm's reach (although be careful what you choose to eat - you want to be able to keep your attention on the road). You should also use the bathroom before you get behind the wheel, and cool things down in the cabin by running the A/C for a few minutes before you leave. Tip #3: Don't give in to frustration. It's easy to give into frustration and drive aggressively in traffic, but it won't serve you well. It won't make things go any faster and actually ups your chances of getting into a collision or accident. Stay calm and collected, and try not to react to other drivers' bad behavior. Tip #4: Keep your mind occupied. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, but distract your mind from the frustration at hand. Make good playlists before you leave or download an audiobook or podcast to listen to. You can also learn a new language from behind the wheel or use the hands-free controls in your Clermont Toyota to call a friend and catch up. Tip #5: Get gas before you hit the road. The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic with an empty gas tank. Fill up before you leave so you have plenty and then some to get through the congestion and to your final destination. Tip #6: Follow road rules. Follow the rules of the road even if others aren't - use your turn signals, don't tailgate, follow the speed limit, etc. This will help you lessen your chances of getting into an accident in crowded road conditions. Get more tips from Toyota of Clermont today! Want more traffic tips or need to find a cool ride to beat the heat this summer? Call Toyota of Clermont today at (352) 404-7000!

Your teen is approaching legal driving age and couldn’t be more excited, so naturally, you couldn’t be more terrified. Teen driving safety is a huge deal. Busy roads can be a scary place for first-time drivers. That’s why it’s essential to teach your newbie safe driving practices and Toyota of Clermont wants to help. We’ve compiled a list of teen driving safety essentials to ensure your teen is ready to go and give you some peace of mind – let’s get started! 5 Rules of Teen Driving Safety Always, always, ALWAYS buckle up: This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how often teens blow off the importance of seatbelts. Multiple studies prove that wearing your seatbelt significantly reduces injuries and mortality rates associated with traffic accidents. Be sure your teen makes it a habit to buckle up every time they get in the car. Avoid Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is the main teen driving safety tip you need to stress with your new driver. Distractions such as texting, eating, putting on makeup, and toying with the radio are the most common causes of accidents among teen drivers. Make it very clear you have a zero-tolerance policy for any distracted driving. You can also download a distracted driver app that will disable your teen’s phone while their car is in motion to eliminate temptation. Drive Defensively: When you start teaching your teen how to drive make sure you incorporate defensive driving skills into your lessons. These skills include: Anticipating other driver mistakes Being mindful of other vehicles, pedestrians, & motorists Obeying the speed limit Placing the proper distance between you and other cars Keeping your eyes on the road You can also enroll your new driver in a defensive driving course. Set a Passenger Limit: Even the most capable of drivers can become distracted when there are too many people in the vehicle. Our Clermont dealership recommends sitting down and deciding on a passenger limit for your teen’s first year on the road. A good range to start with is 2 to 3. This way, they can still enjoy their newfound freedom with friends but things won’t get out of hand. Select a Safe Vehicle: You want to make sure your teen is behind the wheel of a safe and reliable car. Fortunately, all of our Clermont Toyotas are composed of high-grade materials and come with state-of-the-art safety systems ( Toyota Safety Sense) to help avoid and mitigate the seriousness of traffic accidents. Plus, your teen is sure to fall in love with the look of some of our safest models like the Toyota Camry, the Toyota RAV4, and the Toyota C-HR. Have your teen join the Clermont Toyota family Follow these teen driving safety tips and have some confidence that your first-timer is well prepared. Stop by our Clermont dealership to find the perfect set of your wheels for your teen! We’re open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50 just off the Florida Turnpike.