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The weekend is here (finally) and with it the promise of free time, sunshine, and warm weather! It's a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy what Clermont and Lake County at large have to offer - check out what's going on in our city this weekend and our top recommendations for ways to enjoy the sunshine. Six things to do in Clermont this weekend Spring Forward Festival: Downtown Clermont is gearing up for spring and summer with a special festival! Experience live entertainment from Full Force Dance Academy, DJ Eddy Craft, and more, as well as a Clermont Golden Egg Scavenger Hunt. Food trucks will be there en masse and offer options like Maya Rosio, Da Leo's Hot Dogs, Ritter Frozen Custard, and endless other options. There's also a Kid's Zone with a bounce house, pony rides, photos with the Easter Bunny, Fairy Hair, and a train, as well as a raffle with prizes from local vendors. On top of that, a huge number of arts, crafts, jewelry, garden, and home vendors will be there so you can shop for the new season. The event starts at 10am on Saturday! Weekends at the Winery: Head over to Lakeridge Winery on Highway 27 this Saturday at noon for Weekends at the Winery! This event features live entertainment, food, and (of course) Lakeridge wines and wine slushies. Bring your lawn chair or picnic blankets and set up on the vineyard green -  you don't want to miss the music OR the surrounding views. Downtown Clermont Farmer's Market: In need of fresh produce or want to scope the wares of local artisans and vendors? Head to downtown Clermont this Sunday 2/27 at 9 am for the weekly Clermont Farmer's Market near City Hall. Don't forget your shopping bags! Entry is free. Sugarloaf Mountain Cleanup: Sommer Sports is hosting a cleanup of Sugarloaf Mountain this Saturday at 10 am. Help keep Lake County and one of our most beautiful areas... well, beautiful. Pitch in and clean up to get your weekend started right! Parade at the Winter Garden Theatre on Plant Street: Looking for an indoor activity? See Parade, a murder mystery and courtroom drama, at the Garden Theatre on Plant Street in Winter Garden. Showings are at 7:30 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. Buy your tickets ahead of time! Classic Car Cruise Show: Head over to Eustis for the Classic Car Cruise Show to get your fill of vintage vehicles. 150+ classic cars will cruise through downtown Eustis beginning at 4 pm. You can also enjoy the food, drinks, and live music in the historic downtown area, and if you want to put your OWN car in the show, entry is free. We hope you have the best weekend - enjoy the weather and if you're in need of auto service OR want to check out our new Toyotas, stop by! Toyota of Clermont is open all weekend until 10pm and we're conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50 in Clermont.

Commuting is - for the most part - never a fun experience. Whether you're behind the wheel of your Clermont Toyota or at the whim of public transportation, the daily grind of getting where you're going can take a toll on you. However, commuting doesn't have to suck as much as you think; check out these simple tips to make your day-to-day commute a lot more tolerable when you have to hit the open road. How can you make commuting less of a chore? Tip #1: Play DJ. Music has the capability to make things a lot better, so why not play DJ while commuting? Before you head out, put together some playlists to keep you entertained. You can make playlists for different moods, different days of the week, one for the morning (to get pumped up) and one for the evening (to get relaxed), seasonal playlists, etc. - anything to keep you vibing while you're behind the wheel. Tip #2: Be productive. If you're not the type to sit back and relax during your commute, make it a productive one. You can catch up on phone calls and text messages with people via hands-free Bluetooth, listen to an educational podcast or audiobook, learn a new language, and more, all while you're behind the wheel. Just because you're commuting doesn't mean it has to be a waste of time. Tip #3: Consider carpooling. If you really hate commuting, carpooling might be a good solution, at least part of the week. Not only will you have people to talk to while you're out on the open road, but you'll also have the opportunity to take a break and either relax or maximize your time. Plus, it means fewer miles on your car and less money spent on gas - any way you look at it, carpooling is a win-win. Tip #4: Go the long way. Some drivers prefer to always take the shortest route possible, but when you're commuting, it might be in your best interest to ditch this mindset. Going the longer way can mean better fuel efficiency because of the lack of stop-and-go traffic. It also lends to a more enjoyable drive because you're not getting frustrated by all the constant stop-and-go movement. A few miles or minutes can make a big difference so if it's feasible, go the long way. Tip #5: Avoid rush hour like the plague. If you can in any capacity avoid rush hour, do it. Rush hour means way more traffic, more angry and frustrated drivers, a longer drive time, and more room for risk of accidents. If you can drive before or after rush hour while commuting, take advantage of it. Tip #6: Be a little bit of a neat freak. Commuting will be a whole lot more pleasant if you keep your car clean, clutter-free, and smelling good. Take the time every few weeks to wipe and vacuum your Clermont Toyota, keep it free of trash and clutter, and throw an air freshener in for good measure. Get into a Toyota ready for commuting at Toyota of Clermont And don't forget, a great way to improve commuting is to do it from behind the wheel of a safe, tech-driven, and comfortable car. See all of our new Toyotas that meet the bill today at Toyota of Clermont! You can call ahead of time at (352) 404-7000 to schedule a test drive, or stop by and visit us at 16851 State Road 50.

If you've lived even one summer here in Central Florida, you know just how bad the afternoon thunderstorms can get. High winds, heavy rain, tons of lightning, and even hail are a daily possibility, which means it takes some prep work to ensure your car is ready for it. Hail damage is some of the worst damage your car can sustain during thunderstorms, and our Clermont Toyota body shop is here to explain the ins and outs of it and how to both avoid and deal with this type of vehicle damage. What will hail damage do to your car? Hail damage may sound like no big deal, but it can do a ton of very costly damage to your car. It can leave dings and dents all over the body, destroy your car's paint, crack glass and plastic, and more. The damage can quickly add up and leave you with a very hefty bill. So how can you avoid it? Obviously, the best way to avoid hail damage to your Clermont Toyota is to stay out of bad weather as often as possible. This means securing a covered parking spot for your car (a garage or parking garage is best, but any sort of carport or covered parking can help) as well as watching the weather so you can avoid driving during bad thunderstorms in the summer. But let's say you couldn't find a covered spot or a storm sprung up on you unexpectedly. Hail damage has taken its toll on your ride - what should you do next? Check out these tips from the experts at our Toyota of Clermont body shop: #1: Don't try to repair the hail damage yourself. Trust us - it's tricky to fix, can be extensive, and can also involve paint repair. Unless you're a seasoned body shop repair tech, leave the work to the experts at Toyota of Clermont and let them handle restoring your car to its prior condition. #2: Contact insurance. It's more than likely that body damage done by hail will be covered by your comprehensive policy. You'll have to pay your deductible, but it'll be a lot less than paying for the repairs out of pocket. Plus, in some states (like Florida), your windshield can be replaced for free if cracked under your car insurance policy. #3: Get an estimate via your insurance. Set up a time and place for someone from the car insurance company to come take a look at your car and give you an estimate on the damage. Then they'll cut you a check so you can get repairs started. #4: Choose someone you trust for repairs. Make sure you choose a trusted repair shop to restore your car to like-new condition. Like we said, it's work-intensive and tricky, and you only want the best of the best for your repairs. Schedule repairs at Toyota of Clermont Have questions about hail damage or need your car fixed? Visit Toyota of Clermont today at 16851 State Road 50. You can also call us ahead of time to set up an estimate appointment at (352) 404-7000.

When you think of hybrid cars, what comes to mind? For most people, it's fuel efficiency or eco-friendliness. After all, these cars are renowned on a global basis for their impressive MPGs and their lack of harmful emissions. What you wouldn't think of (most likely) are performance characteristics like horsepower and torque - characteristics usually reserved for large, powerful gasoline engines (i.e. trucks). However, with the introduction of the 2022 Toyota Tundra to the market, hybrid cars have been turned on their heads. This incredible Clermont Toyota truck gets great fuel efficiency AND offers impressive performance while still cutting back on emissions. So how is it different from the hybrid system in the OG of hybrid cars, the Clermont Toyota Prius? Obviously, there's something going on under the hood and we're breaking it down. How are these two hybrid systems different? The Toyota Prius hybrid system is a major player when it comes to fuel efficiency (but not so much horsepower). It gets 58/53 mpg and 121 horsepower. The 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid system, on the other hand, gets improved fuel efficiency over the prior V8 model (although we don't have exact numbers yet for it) and 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft torque. Here's how they do it: The Toyota Prius - and other cars like it - have a dual-motor system. Basically, the first motor takes power from the engine and converts it over to the battery so you have electrical power (and can run without the engine). The second motor connects directly to the wheels of the car and powers them. So the engine doesn't send torque to the wheels all the time in a mechanical fashion; the path can also be electrical. While it's fuel-efficient, it's not known for performance aspects like horsepower or torque. On the other hand, the Clermont Toyota Tundra is a single motor hybrid system with a mechanical path for sending power. There's a clutch in between the motor and the engine. If the clutch is open, the engine can turn off and the electric motor takes over to send power to the wheels. If the clutch is closed, however, that signals to the engine that internal combustion power is needed and the twin-turbo V6 needs to get to work to send power to the wheels. This means that you get incredible horsepower and torque (you saw the numbers and they speak for themselves) at your fingertips. Which of these Clermont Toyota hybrid systems is right for you? So which one is right for you? Do you want major fuel efficiency or major performance? The best way to decide is to come down and take a test drive for yourself. Explore all of the hybrid options at Toyota of Clermont to see which one best suits your drivetime needs. Have questions about how hybrid cars work, the costs of owning one, or anything else about these green vehicles? Call Toyota of Clermont today at (352) 404-7000 or stop by and see them in person! We're conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.

If you've been hitting the road recently, it's more dangerous than you probably realized. According to recent government reports, traffic fatalities were at an all-time high for the first 9 months of 2021. That's why it's so critical that you not only drive a safe car but also know how to safely make your way to your final destination when you're out on the road. Our Clermont Toyota dealership is here with tips on how to safely conduct yourself when you're behind the wheel. Why are traffic fatalities higher than ever? Earlier this week, the U.S. government reported that traffic fatalities were up 12% from 2020, totaling 31,000 for the first nine months of 2021. Why? Well, a multitude of reasons. The NHTSA blames it on a lack of seatbelts and a total disregard for speed limits, as well as reckless driving and distracted driving (like using your phone). The Secretary of Transportation believes, however, that these fatalities can be reduced by higher safety standards for cars, new safety tech like automated braking, and safer roads in general. How can you help prevent traffic fatalities? Toyota of Clermont's tips So what can you do about it? There are ways to help prevent traffic fatalities when you're behind the wheel of your Clermont Toyota and also make your experience that much less risky. Check out these tips from the experts at Toyota of Clermont. Tip #1: Drive a safe car. If you already drive a Clermont Toyota, you're in pretty good hands. Our cars are decked out with a multitude of safety features, including elements like the Star Safety System, the Pre-Collision System, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitors, and more to give you added peace of mind (and a little bit of help) when you're out on the road. If you don't own one, come check out your options at Toyota of Clermont! Tip #2: Be as safe as possible when you're behind the wheel (and in any other seat, really). This means engaging in practices like: Wearing your seatbelt at all times and ensuring your passengers do, too Abiding by the speed limits at all times, even when you're in a rush Not engaging in aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, weaving, speeding, etc. Putting away all distractions - yup, your phone - and keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road Use defensive driving skills to keep yourself and your passengers safe, reacting BEFORE accidents happen instead of as they're happening Always use your turn signal to indicate your movements to other drivers so they know how to react Take  extra care when driving in dangerous road conditions like snow, ice, rain, windy weather, etc. Want to shop for a safe car to give you the peace of mind you deserve on the road? Visit us at Toyota of Clermont today! We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50 and you can call ahead of time to make an appointment at (352) 404-7000.

If you've ever gotten into a car accident, you know that it's a stressful situation for everyone involved regardless of the location. However, getting into a collision out of state adds a whole new element of stress. Can your car make it home? Where should you get your auto repairs? Will your insurance policy still cover you? Check out this quick guide from the experts at Toyota of Clermont's body shop to get all the info you need on out-of-state car accidents. Five tips for out-of-state car accidents Tip #1: Make sure everyone is alright before you do anything else. Before you do anything else at all, make sure that you and your passengers are uninjured from the car accident. If anyone is hurt, immediately call 911 to get emergency services to the scene. You should also try to move your car to the side of the road if possible to get out of the way of oncoming cars; if you can't, then you and your passengers need to get out and move to a safe spot well away from passing cars. Tip #2: Contact local police. Next, contact local law enforcement to get an officer out to the scene of the car accident. You can either call 911 or the local non-emergency number. You'll need a police report for the car accident regardless of who is at fault; make sure you get their name and badge number as well as a copy of the report before they leave. Tip #3: Write down details and document everything with photos or videos. Now it's time to document EVERYTHING. Write down a detailed description of what happened as well as where and when it happened. Get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver and also be sure to write down the make, model, color, and license plate number of their vehicle. Next, take photos and videos of both vehicles to document the damage to your Clermont Toyota and the other car, and the scene of the accident. Tip #4: Contact your car insurance company and other relevant parties. Who should you contact next? You'll definitely need to get in touch with your car insurance company to report the accident and get the repair process started, and good news - your insurance should cover you even if you're in a different state. If you have a rental car, you'll need to contact the rental agency to report the accident. If you borrowed a car via a company like Turo, get in contact with the owner of the vehicle. Tip #5: Make sure you figure out whether or not you can make it home. How bad is the damage to your car after a car accident? If it was a fender bender, chances are you're OK to get home. But you should still have it checked at the Toyota of Clermont body shop to ensure there's no hidden damage, and if you notice a problem on the way home, stop immediately to have your car checked at the nearest mechanic. If you can't get home, your insurance company can help you figure out the nearest repair shop and how to go about the process of getting things fixed. Toyota of Clermont can get you back on the road after a collision Have questions or need repairs after a car accident? Call Toyota of Clermont today. Our body shop is open and waiting at (352) 404-7001 and we're conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50. Visit us for Clermont auto repairs today!

Of course, gas is one of those ongoing expenses – unless you have an electric car. Gas can be a high expense, especially if you're constantly commuting between your job, daycare, after-school activities, and social events. Here at Toyota, we don't want you to spend more than you have to, so our experts have come up with 10 tips on how to save on gas in your Clermont Toyota. Let’s get into it! #1 Join a fuel rewards program. Gas stations will allow you to join a rewards program with their brand to earn points that you can use to get cheaper gas. The best thing to do is figure out which gas station you're a regular at and look up online how to sign up for their rewards program. #2 Use apps. You can use cool apps to help you get cheaper gas. One of them is called GasBuddy, which allows you to enable your location to see which gas station offers the lowest gas prices near you. Another fantastic app option is GetUpside, which requires you to save receipts and take a photo of them in the app to save money. Once you do this, you can get actual cash back through a check or PayPal. #3 Use a rewards credit card. Credit Cards allow you to get rewards for purchasing gas on them. Look up the best credit cards and look into what they can offer, or maybe if you already have credit cards, look into what yours have to offer in regards to saving money on gas! #4 Use cash instead of a card. If you pay cash for your gas, it's cheaper than paying with a card because of the surcharges of paying with a credit card. #5 Fill up early in the week. Make sure to schedule your fueling days for the earliest days in the week. You can save money on gas overtime by going on Mondays and Tuesdays for lower gas prices. #6 Share rides when you can! Carpooling is one of the best ways to save on gas. In addition, you can arrange a deal with your friends and family to pick up the kids on certain days for extracurricular activities, etc. #7 Be ready before starting your engine. Since you're using up your gas as soon as you start your Clermont Toyota, you can save some miles by planning out your route beforehand by having everything ready to go before you turn on your car. It's simple and can help you overtime. #8 Be gradual when accelerating. Try not to press on the gas pedal or brake too abruptly whenever you're driving. Instead, it's best to press gently not to waste unnecessary amounts of gas. #9 Use the right oil during oil changes. When it's that time of the year to get your oil changed, go ahead and make sure you're getting the right oil for your car! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the wrong grade of motor oil can cost you 3 to 6 cents per gallon. #10 Lighten your car weight. If you want to get better gas mileage, empty your Clermont Toyota to save money on gas! Adding more weight to your Clermont Toyota can cause your fuel to drop. Want to test drive a fuel-efficient Clermont Toyota? Visit us by scheduling an appointment at Toyota of Clermont. Call us today at (352) 404-7000. We're located just off the Florida Turnpike.

If you've ever run out of gas - and we mean completely run out of gas, like stopped on the shoulder of the road, not gliding into the gas station on the last few drops - you know how stressful and at times, scary it can be. And it does happen. Whether you forgot to fill up, thought you could make it farther than you actually could, or have an actual issue with your car (like a malfunctioning gas gauge), running out of gas is nothing to be embarrassed about. But it IS something that can be stressful, so check out these Toyota of Clermont tips on how to deal with it. The signs you're about to run out of gas You need to know how to spot the signs that your car is running out of gas to be prepared for the situation, so here they are: A loss of power or acceleration; when you push on the gas pedal, nothing happens Jerking, sporadic acceleration that only lasts a second or two and then dies off Sputtering noises from the engine Backfiring If you notice any of these signs in your Clermont Toyota, you're likely about to run out of gas completely and it's time to take action. So then what steps should you take if your car is running out of gas? Here's the breakdown for this roadside emergency. How to react to this roadside emergency First, pull over. If you notice your car running out of gas, pull over ASAP. You should look for a parking lot or a spot on the side of the road that's flat and free of mud and sand. Additionally, try to get as far from traffic as you can. If it's dark out, look for a well-lit spot to park and wait for help. And if you're pulling over on the side of the road, make sure to put your car in park, pull the parking brake, turn on your hazard lights, and turn your wheels so they're pointing away from the road (so if you're struck by a car, your car won't be pushed into traffic). Second, pinpoint your exact location. You'll need to know exactly where you are to be able to request help. If you're asking a friend or family member for an assist, you can always share your location with them on your smartphone. However, if you're calling roadside assistance or for a tow, you'll need to know where you are. Use the addresses of nearby businesses or cross streets to help pinpoint your location, or if you're on the highway, use mile markers and exit numbers. Third, call for help. Finally, call for help. You can always call AAA or Mach1 for roadside assistance, or reach out to friends and family to bring you a gas can with some fuel in it. Additionally, sometimes your car insurance will offer help with fuel delivery or towing in this scenario. Worst case, you may have to walk to the nearest gas station. Be sure to use the sidewalks and stay away from traffic. Want more tips or need assistance with your Clermont Toyota? Call us today! Toyota of Clermont is open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000 and we're conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.

If you've ever hit a parked car with your vehicle, you know just how stressful it can be. It's not quite as stressful as if you get into a collision with another moving vehicle, but still - it can be a hassle to deal with and how you react to it shouldn't be the same as other types of car accidents. Our Toyota of Clermont body shop experts sat down with us to give us the best advice possible for when you hit a parked car, so check out this quick and easy guide. Four things to remember after you hit a parked car First, don't leave the scene of the car accident. You may think you don't need to stay if no one is in the other car, but you do. Believe it or not, if you leave the scene, you can be charged with a hit-and-run accident. This is a major offense that can lead to jail time, community service, hefty fines, and a big rise in your car insurance premiums (so all in all, no good). And even if you didn't see any witnesses, security cameras and surveillance cameras are just as good as another human. Don't chance it! While you're waiting for the other driver to return, use the time to document what happened. You should write down as many details as you can in case you can't recall them later. Remember to jot down things like: The make, model, color, and distinguishing characteristics of the other car The date, time, and exact location of the car accident A detailed description of HOW it happened The names and numbers of any witnesses to the accident And take pictures. You'll want to detail both the damage to your car AND the damage to the other vehicle. But what happens if you've been waiting for ages and they don't come back to their car? You can't be expected to wait there forever until they eventually show up. If you've waited a bit, documented everything, and still don't see them, then it's time to get out the pen and paper. Leave them a note in a conspicuous place, like under a windshield wiper, and give them information like your name and number, your insurance info, and a brief description of what happened so they can contact you and you both can move forward with the process of repairs. Finally, get in touch with your car insurance agent. Your property damage liability coverage should pay for repairs on the other car, while your collision coverage should handle repairs on your car. You'll likely have to pay a deductible, but it'll be cheaper than paying for repairs out of pocket, especially if the damage is bad. Contact Toyota of Clermont for repairs after a car accident Whether you have more questions about what to do after a car accident or need repairs after hitting a parked car, Toyota of Clermont is your go-to. Our body shop is ready and waiting to get you back on the road! Call us today at (352) 404-7001 or stop by and see us at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.

When you buy a new car - or a car that's at least new to you - one of the things to consider if whether or not you should buy floor mats. Here at Toyota of Clermont, we have a great selection of different options available in our Toyota parts store and we can help you choose the right ones for your drive time needs. But if you're buying aftermarket or buying them from somewhere else, it's good to have some basic knowledge about which ones you should install in your ride. Check out this quick guide to floor mats from the experts at our Clermont Toyota parts store. Why do you need floor mats in your car? First of all, the question we hear all the time: Are floor mats REALLY necessary? Our answer? Yes. Whether you buy them from us at the Toyota of Clermont parts store or get them somewhere else, they're a necessity for your new ride. Here's why: They protect the floor. Remember, you're going to be driving your car, not just staring at it in the driveway. This means that crumbs, dirt, mud, coffee, and other spills and messes will inevitably happen, all of which can do a number to your interior if it's not protected. Floor mats will keep your car clean, keep your resale value high, and help ensure that you don't have to detail it every single day. They're an easy and affordable way to customize. It can cost money and take a lot of time to customize your ride, but floor mats are a simple and affordable way to add some individual style to your car without having to invest a lot of time or money. Should you buy carpet or all-weather floor mats? So, should you stick with carpet mats or spring for all-weather floor mats? Toyota of Clermont's parts experts are here with answers. Carpet mats definitely have their advantages. At face value, they're cheaper than all-weather mats so if you're sticking to a budget, you're covered. And if you shop for them at Toyota of Clermont, you'll have a ton of options and variety to choose from. Carpet mats are typically made from tough fabric (like Berber) so they're pretty durable, and they're easily customizable as they come in a variety of sizes, colors, and materials. All-weather floor mats, on the other hand, are more expensive than carpet mats, but they last a lot longer and offer a lot more durability. These special floor mats are made from water-resistant materials and they're laser cut to have special grooves that catch dirt, liquids, and anything else that might destroy your car's interior. Plus, they're super easy to clean - all you have to do is shake or even rinse them out and voila. Still not sure which floor mats are right for your new Clermont Toyota? Call us today! Toyota of Clermont's parts store is open seven days a week at (352) 404-7001. You can also stop by 16851 State Road 50 just west of the Florida Turnpike to see all of your options in person!

It's a new year, so that brings new opportunities. If your car has been giving you quite a bit of trouble this year, you may have been thinking about getting a new Clermont Toyota. However, you're in limbo on whether you should ride out your current car for its last miles or if it's time to move on. Well, buying a car is a significant investment, and it should take a bit of deliberation. But, you're in luck because you don't have to do it alone. Our Toyota experts give you four signs to determine if 2022 is the year you should get a new car. So, let's get into it. Four signs you need to get into a new car in 2022 #1 Your lifestyle is transitioning. The seasons change every year, and so do you! If you're transitioning into another sector of your life, that means you might have to change your car too, which is why our Clermont Toyotas come in a variety to fit into different lifestyles. For example, if you are expanding your family, the 2022 Toyota Highlander or the 2022 Toyota Sienna is an excellent option for more space for your little ones. #2 You're taking too many trips to the gas station. It can seem like a chore to go to the gas station, and to do that more than twice a week is a sign that it's time to get a new car. New Clermont Toyotas have excellent fuel efficiency and come in electric models. For example, the 2022 Toyota Prius gets up to 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway, so good! You might end up saving more money buying a new car! #3 You want to feel safe in your car. It's completely valid to want to feel safe in your car. Safety is on Toyota's #1 priority list. So, if you constantly feel unsafe in your car, it might be best to upgrade your vehicle with better safety features. Our Clermont Toyotas have Toyota Safety Sense that comes with many excellent safety features: Pre-Collision System with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. Switch over to a Clermont Toyota to ensure you never have to feel unsafe again. #4 It's costing you more than it's worth. If your car has to be serviced quite frequently for major repairs like replacing radiators, exhaust systems and fixing major engine malfunctions, it might cost you less, in the long run, to buy a new car. Don't forget it's always a good idea to take your Clermont Toyota in to be maintained. Still, with older cars, their value decreases over the years, and it sometimes isn't worth it to invest thousands of dollars when you could get a new one that will give you fewer headaches. Want to schedule a test drive with a new Toyota? Visit our dealership! We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50 just west of the Florida Turnpike, follow us on social media, or call us at (352) 404-7000.

Christmas weekend is almost here! We're betting that your day-to-day commute has been pretty easy this week - the kids are out of school, fewer people are going into work, and traffic is at a low. However, that's about to change. Christmas Eve is a notoriously busy day for travel, as is the day after Christmas (especially when Christmas falls on a weekend). Are you ready to handle driving in traffic on a busy holiday weekend? Toyota of Clermont is here with tips. driving in traffic Driving in traffic on Christmas: What you need to know Tip #1: Prepare your car for the road. Are you ready to hit the road for Christmas? If you're getting on the highway to visit friends and family, you definitely want your car to be up for the job. This means staying up to date on auto services at Toyota of Clermont like oil changes, tire rotations, battery checks, and brake service. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road with a breakdown or a blowout, so prepare your car ahead of time for the open road at our Clermont Toyota service center. Tip #2: Check conditions before you leave the house. Driving in traffic is never fun and almost always stressful, so prepare yourself. Check road conditions and weather before you leave so you're ready for anything. If there's bad weather or bad traffic that's going to cause delays, you can reroute your trip or at least prepare yourself mentally and leave early so you have some extra time. Tip #3: Stay ahead of the game by leaving yourself extra time. Speaking of which,  you should leave yourself extra time anyway. Just because there aren't any delays before you leave doesn't mean they won't happen along the way. If you give yourself extra time to get to your final destination, then you're a lot less likely to speed or drive aggressively to get where you're going. Tip #4: Be ready on all accounts for winter weather. Are you heading north to celebrate? If you're going to encounter snow or ice, you need to be sure that both you AND your car are ready for it. Winter weather is a game changer, and you need to ensure that your car is ready by checking your fluids, tires, heater, and defroster before you leave. Additionally, make sure you're fresh up on how to drive safely in snowy and icy conditions before you leave. Tip #5: Stay on task behind the wheel. It's so easy to get distracted when you're behind the wheel, and we get it. It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also one of the busiest, especially for adults. Between screaming kids, endless texts and phone calls, and the stress of driving in traffic, it's easy to give into distracted driving. Don't do it! Use voice-to-text in your Clermont Toyota, distract the kids with a holiday movie in the back, and use our tips to bring down the stress of driving in traffic this Christmas. Prep for driving in traffic with Toyota of Clermont's help Have questions or need to schedule last-minute car care for hitting the road this holiday? Call Toyota of Clermont today at (352) 404-7000. We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.