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

Do you feel comfortable making decisions about car care and auto repairs? Not many drivers do. What does on under the hood is pretty much a mystery to a lot of people, and we get it - that's why we have Clermont Toyota service experts waiting to assist you with all of your car care needs. However, we feel that having a basic idea of how your car and its parts work can help you feel more confident when it comes to making decisions about your vehicle. Today we're taking on the serpentine belt - learn what it does, how to maintain it, what happens if it breaks, and be able to spot signs that you're due for a replacement. What is the purpose of the serpentine belt? Let's talk about what the serpentine belt is, first of all. This belt is essential to performance because it transports power to major accessories like your car's alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning. Without it, you're going nowhere fast (literally, because your car won't start without a working alternator). The serpentine belt is long and winding (thus its name) and is much more efficient at driving power to all of these parts. They all used to have individual belts attached to them, but that proved to be inefficient because they all wore at different rates and had to be replaced at different times, which means way more maintenance than necessary. Obviously, the serpentine belt plays an important role in performance. So what happens if it breaks? Not only will you have a ton of performance problems as important accessories lose power, but the belt can also damage other parts of your engine when it breaks. All in all, you're in for some expensive repairs to get your car up and running again. That's why it's essential to pay attention to this part; our Clermont Toyota service techs can do a quick visual inspection of it when you come in. And even better news? You shouldn't have to replace it often. Serpentine belts are made of thick, durable rubber and should last 60,000 - 100,000 miles on average. Signs you need Clermont auto repairs for this part So how do you know if it's about to break? There are a few telltale signs you can be on the lookout for whenever you're behind the wheel: You can see cracks or wear on the belt Pieces of rubber are flaking off of it The belt has a strange shiny or glazed look to it You can't start your car due to alternator issues Your power steering goes out You have issues with your air conditioning or water pump Squealing or chirping noises start coming from underneath the hood (this is due to a loose belt, which occurs because of wear and tear, stretching, a broken pulley, or a leak inside the engine) Your check engine light comes on (this can mean a lot of things, we know - but it's worth having our Clermont auto service techs take a look, especially if it happens alongside any of these other signs) Think you might need auto repairs or replacement for your serpentine belt? Schedule today at Toyota of Clermont - we're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, and you can call us at (352) 404-7001.

Do you feel comfortable making decisions about car care and auto repairs? Not many drivers do. What does on under the hood is pretty much a mystery to a lot of people, and we get it - that's why we have Clermont Toyota service experts waiting to assist you with all of your car care needs. However, we feel that having a basic idea of how your car and its parts work can help you feel more confident when it comes to making decisions about your vehicle. Today we're taking on the serpentine belt - learn what it does, how to maintain it, what happens if it breaks, and be able to spot signs that you're due for a replacement. What is the purpose of the serpentine belt? Let's talk about what the serpentine belt is, first of all. This belt is essential to performance because it transports power to major accessories like your car's alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning. Without it, you're going nowhere fast (literally, because your car won't start without a working alternator). The serpentine belt is long and winding (thus its name) and is much more efficient at driving power to all of these parts. They all used to have individual belts attached to them, but that proved to be inefficient because they all wore at different rates and had to be replaced at different times, which means way more maintenance than necessary. Obviously, the serpentine belt plays an important role in performance. So what happens if it breaks? Not only will you have a ton of performance problems as important accessories lose power, but the belt can also damage other parts of your engine when it breaks. All in all, you're in for some expensive repairs to get your car up and running again. That's why it's essential to pay attention to this part; our Clermont Toyota service techs can do a quick visual inspection of it when you come in. And even better news? You shouldn't have to replace it often. Serpentine belts are made of thick, durable rubber and should last 60,000 - 100,000 miles on average. Signs you need Clermont auto repairs for this part So how do you know if it's about to break? There are a few telltale signs you can be on the lookout for whenever you're behind the wheel: You can see cracks or wear on the belt Pieces of rubber are flaking off of it The belt has a strange shiny or glazed look to it You can't start your car due to alternator issues Your power steering goes out You have issues with your air conditioning or water pump Squealing or chirping noises start coming from underneath the hood (this is due to a loose belt, which occurs because of wear and tear, stretching, a broken pulley, or a leak inside the engine) Your check engine light comes on (this can mean a lot of things, we know - but it's worth having our Clermont auto service techs take a look, especially if it happens alongside any of these other signs) Think you might need auto repairs or replacement for your serpentine belt? Schedule today at Toyota of Clermont - we're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, and you can call us at (352) 404-7001.

By now you've likely heard that Florida is gradually reopening with the hope of resuming normalcy. While this is well-intended, the process is going to be slow, touch and go, and full of adjustments. What we're trying to say is that you're likely going to be spending the weekend in your house needing something to do. For us fans of Toyota and the automotive industry in general, we couldn't think of a better way to spend the weekend than watching our favorite car movies. There are many out there, but only a few make Toyota of Clermont's cut. Check out our list and start watching! The Best Car Movies to Watch This Weekend Drive (2011) While many know Ryan Gosling for The Notebook, Drive presents an interesting take on a car movie. Gosling's character is an unnamed stunt-driver who doubles as a getaway wheelman for hire. The Driver is tasked with transportation for a job that endangers him and everyone else involved. While it sounds like a typical heisty movie, it's the interesting blend of several decades of culture and the great performance of its cast that make it a memorable and highly watchable car movie. Cars How can you make a list of car movies and not include a movie that's characters are literally all cars? Cars is an excellent movie for people of all ages that follows the adventure of a race car, Lightning McQueen, as he falls down on his luck and seeks to make his way back to race track. If you're looking for lighthearted fun, cute characters, and something the whole family can watch, this one's for you! Transformers Series While it's technically a movie about aliens and not really about cars, we at Toyota of Clermont think it still qualifies. The first in the series features Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox befriending Bumblebee, an Autobot disguised as a truly iconic Chevy Camaro, and engaging in an interplanetary battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. From there the cars get cooler and the story even more ludicrous. The most recent installment, Bumblebee, is an excellent origin story with great performances from the cast and a nice vintage vibe (it's arguably our favorite one). Baby Driver There's nothing better than a perfect pairing of music and cars and Baby Driver nails it. Ansel Elgort stars as a music-obsessed driver under hire from a mob boss. Surreal car chases, impressive driving, and a good mix of comedy, romance, and action make this an excellent choice. Fast and Furious Series Who doesn't know about the Fast and Furious movies? With 8 mainline movies, a spin-off with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, and a 9th mainline movie coming next year, this is a series you can get lost in. The early iterations popularized street racing and tuner subcultures while providing some of the best car eye-candy of any modern movie. Fast Five took the series to new heights with more action, Bond-esque plots, and crazy stunt work and the rest is history from there. If you want to get invested in a series that outdoes itself with every subsequent movie, sit down and watch these movies. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) While you won't see any of the vehicles featured in Mad Max on any road, unless you live in a dystopian future where gasoline is a currency, but it features some of the craziest contraptions you'll ever see on screen. This series was originally released in 1979 and starred Mel Gibson. The 2015 remake stars Tom Hardy as the lead and ups the ante with special effects and action. Definitely check this out if you're looking for a bit of gritty apocalyptic overtones with your car movie. Being stuck inside doesn't have to be boring. Check out these movies, make some popcorn, and kick back and enjoy the ride!

By now you've likely heard that Florida is gradually reopening with the hope of resuming normalcy. While this is well-intended, the process is going to be slow, touch and go, and full of adjustments. What we're trying to say is that you're likely going to be spending the weekend in your house needing something to do. For us fans of Toyota and the automotive industry in general, we couldn't think of a better way to spend the weekend than watching our favorite car movies. There are many out there, but only a few make Toyota of Clermont's cut. Check out our list and start watching! The Best Car Movies to Watch This Weekend Drive (2011) While many know Ryan Gosling for The Notebook, Drive presents an interesting take on a car movie. Gosling's character is an unnamed stunt-driver who doubles as a getaway wheelman for hire. The Driver is tasked with transportation for a job that endangers him and everyone else involved. While it sounds like a typical heisty movie, it's the interesting blend of several decades of culture and the great performance of its cast that make it a memorable and highly watchable car movie. Cars How can you make a list of car movies and not include a movie that's characters are literally all cars? Cars is an excellent movie for people of all ages that follows the adventure of a race car, Lightning McQueen, as he falls down on his luck and seeks to make his way back to race track. If you're looking for lighthearted fun, cute characters, and something the whole family can watch, this one's for you! Transformers Series While it's technically a movie about aliens and not really about cars, we at Toyota of Clermont think it still qualifies. The first in the series features Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox befriending Bumblebee, an Autobot disguised as a truly iconic Chevy Camaro, and engaging in an interplanetary battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. From there the cars get cooler and the story even more ludicrous. The most recent installment, Bumblebee, is an excellent origin story with great performances from the cast and a nice vintage vibe (it's arguably our favorite one). Baby Driver There's nothing better than a perfect pairing of music and cars and Baby Driver nails it. Ansel Elgort stars as a music-obsessed driver under hire from a mob boss. Surreal car chases, impressive driving, and a good mix of comedy, romance, and action make this an excellent choice. Fast and Furious Series Who doesn't know about the Fast and Furious movies? With 8 mainline movies, a spin-off with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, and a 9th mainline movie coming next year, this is a series you can get lost in. The early iterations popularized street racing and tuner subcultures while providing some of the best car eye-candy of any modern movie. Fast Five took the series to new heights with more action, Bond-esque plots, and crazy stunt work and the rest is history from there. If you want to get invested in a series that outdoes itself with every subsequent movie, sit down and watch these movies. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) While you won't see any of the vehicles featured in Mad Max on any road, unless you live in a dystopian future where gasoline is a currency, but it features some of the craziest contraptions you'll ever see on screen. This series was originally released in 1979 and starred Mel Gibson. The 2015 remake stars Tom Hardy as the lead and ups the ante with special effects and action. Definitely check this out if you're looking for a bit of gritty apocalyptic overtones with your car movie. Being stuck inside doesn't have to be boring. Check out these movies, make some popcorn, and kick back and enjoy the ride!

Summer is on its way - we've already seen our temperatures here in Central Florida soar into the 90s, and it's only a matter of time until they climb even higher than that. Summer here can be brutal, and it can definitely take a toll on your car. The last thing you want to be stuck with is an unreliable ride, even if you're only using it for essential errands during social distancing. Don't let the season get the best of you - prep your car with seasonal car care both at Toyota of Clermont and at home to ensure you're ready to beat the heat. 7 seasonal car care items to check off your list Tip #1: Schedule a tire rotation Your tires take a beating in the summer. It's hot outside and the pavement - which they come in direct contact with - is even hotter. This can lead to blowouts and damage if they're not in good shape. Schedule a tire rotation as part of your seasonal car care and have our Clermont Toyota service techs inspect them while you're at it to ensure they're not getting excessive wear and tear and that they're inflated to the right PSI. Tip #2: Check your wiper blades Summer means rain in Central Florida, and you need quality wiper blades to keep your field of vision clear. Your wiper blades probably incurred some wear and tear last summer so check the condition of the rubber and if necessary, replace them. You can shop for new ones at our Clermont Toyota parts store and our techs can even help you install them on your car. Tip #3: Inspect what's under the hood When was the last time you took a peek under the hood? It's a good idea to incorporate it into your seasonal car care checklist. Be on the lookout for worn hoses and belts - these will undoubtedly have issues when the weather heats up and should be replaced now. Tip #4: Get an oil change Oil is responsible for keeping your engine cool and lubricated. When it's dirty or you don't have enough of it, you run the risk of doing serious (and expensive) damage to your car's engine. Schedule an oil change at Toyota of Clermont as part of your seasonal car care. Tip #5: Check coolant levels Take a peek at your coolant - this is also an important aspect when it comes to keeping everything under the hood cool. Check the reservoir to ensure that it's full of coolant and if it's not, add more to get you through the season. Tip #6: Have your air conditioning inspected You do NOT want to take on summer without a working air conditioning system in your car - trust us. Have our Clermont auto service techs check your system to ensure it's ready to help you beat the heat all summer long (don't wait for it to break!). Tip #7: Get your battery tested Have our auto service techs check your car battery - they can test the voltage and inspect its condition to ensure it can handle the summer heat without a problem (and without leaving you stranded). Schedule your summer auto service at Toyota of Clermont Have questions or want to schedule your seasonal car care? Call Toyota of Clermont - we're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7001.

Summer is on its way - we've already seen our temperatures here in Central Florida soar into the 90s, and it's only a matter of time until they climb even higher than that. Summer here can be brutal, and it can definitely take a toll on your car. The last thing you want to be stuck with is an unreliable ride, even if you're only using it for essential errands during social distancing. Don't let the season get the best of you - prep your car with seasonal car care both at Toyota of Clermont and at home to ensure you're ready to beat the heat. 7 seasonal car care items to check off your list Tip #1: Schedule a tire rotation Your tires take a beating in the summer. It's hot outside and the pavement - which they come in direct contact with - is even hotter. This can lead to blowouts and damage if they're not in good shape. Schedule a tire rotation as part of your seasonal car care and have our Clermont Toyota service techs inspect them while you're at it to ensure they're not getting excessive wear and tear and that they're inflated to the right PSI. Tip #2: Check your wiper blades Summer means rain in Central Florida, and you need quality wiper blades to keep your field of vision clear. Your wiper blades probably incurred some wear and tear last summer so check the condition of the rubber and if necessary, replace them. You can shop for new ones at our Clermont Toyota parts store and our techs can even help you install them on your car. Tip #3: Inspect what's under the hood When was the last time you took a peek under the hood? It's a good idea to incorporate it into your seasonal car care checklist. Be on the lookout for worn hoses and belts - these will undoubtedly have issues when the weather heats up and should be replaced now. Tip #4: Get an oil change Oil is responsible for keeping your engine cool and lubricated. When it's dirty or you don't have enough of it, you run the risk of doing serious (and expensive) damage to your car's engine. Schedule an oil change at Toyota of Clermont as part of your seasonal car care. Tip #5: Check coolant levels Take a peek at your coolant - this is also an important aspect when it comes to keeping everything under the hood cool. Check the reservoir to ensure that it's full of coolant and if it's not, add more to get you through the season. Tip #6: Have your air conditioning inspected You do NOT want to take on summer without a working air conditioning system in your car - trust us. Have our Clermont auto service techs check your system to ensure it's ready to help you beat the heat all summer long (don't wait for it to break!). Tip #7: Get your battery tested Have our auto service techs check your car battery - they can test the voltage and inspect its condition to ensure it can handle the summer heat without a problem (and without leaving you stranded). Schedule your summer auto service at Toyota of Clermont Have questions or want to schedule your seasonal car care? Call Toyota of Clermont - we're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7001.

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

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

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

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

When you want options for your next ride, you should shop Toyota. After all, the brand is pretty well known for having a lot of options - whether you want a sedan, SUV, truck, van, hatchback, sports car, hybrid, or coupe, there's something for you in the Toyota lineup. And we just got word that yet another model is being thrown into the mix - in Europe, at least. The 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross will be joining the family and Toyota of Clermont has the details on what this innovative new Toyota SUV will have to offer when it hits dealerships. Get to know the 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross The 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross is sort of a "big brother" to the original Clermont Toyota Yaris - it's more spacious and has different performance features, but it does share some similarities. Let's take a look at the info we've got on this brand-new Toyota compact SUV! It won't be available in the US. The 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross will only be up for grabs in Japan this fall (of 2020) and Europe at some point next summer (2021). We won't see it stateside, probably because we have the Toyota C-HR in our lineup at Toyota of Clermont. The new Toyota Yaris Cross was supposed to be debuted at the Geneva Motor Show way back in the beginning of March, but COVID-19 obviously threw a wrench in that. That's why Toyota decided to unveil the new Toyota SUV on their website last week instead. The Toyota Yaris Cross has some similarities to the Toyota Yaris, as noted, but it definitely differs when it comes to performance. While it sits on an Clermont Toyota Yaris wheelbase, it's taller, more spacious inside, and has longer overhangs to overall just be a bigger and more SUV-like vehicle that its predecessor. It'll also offer a hybrid model, something the current Toyota Yaris doesn't. The Cross will come with a 1.5L 3-cylinder engine under the hood, optional all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, and the choice of CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. When it comes to appearance, the interior of the Toyota Yaris Cross does share some similarities with the original model. However, as noted it's more spacious and will offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via its large touchscreen interface in the dash. How about the exterior? This new Toyota trends more toward the design of the Clermont Toyota C-HR than the Toyota Yaris. It boasts angular design elements, a two-toned paint scheme, edgy new taillights and headlights, black wheel arch surrounds, and more. It's more aggressive, and also more sophisticated than its sibling. See how the Clermont Toyota C-HR stacks up today We won't see this new Toyota SUV at Toyota of Clermont (like, ever) but if you like the look of it, get behind the wheel of the Toyota C-HR to see if it fits your needs! You can schedule a test drive today at (352) 404-7000, or stop by and see us at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.