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How to Use the Toyota Entune

Many car drivers want a quality infotainment system in their vehicle so they and their passengers can enjoy themselves during short trips or long journeys. Most infotainment systems offer you the option of integrating your smartphone, allowing you to perform a wide range of tasks. For example, you can stream music from your phone, book cinema tickets, or reserve a table at your favorite restaurant. In new Toyota cars, the platform that pairs your phone with your vehicle's infotainment system, so you can do all of these things and more, is called Toyota Entune. Let's take a look at how it works. What Is Toyota Entune? Image via Flickr by khelvan Entune is Toyota's innovative infotainment system that allows you to link your phone with the audio system and displays in your vehicle. It performs similar tasks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in other vehicles. One of the key ideas behind Entune is that you can be connected with your favorite apps while remaining focused on the road ahead to ensure you and your passengers stay safe. The Entune interface is available in three versions: audio, Audio Plus, and Premium Audio. All three levels come with App Suite, which is the feature that allows you to integrate your phone with your infotainment system. You can get it across Toyota's lineup, from the compact Corolla to the Highlander SUV. What Are the Differences Between Entune's Three Levels? The base level of Toyota's multimedia platform is called Entune Audio. It features an AM/FM radio, CD player, USB 2.0 port, and iPod compatibility. The size of the touch screen ranges from 6.1 to seven inches. With Entune Audio Plus, your screen increases in size to eight inches. You'll also get HD Radio, Sirius XM Radio, traffic and weather alerts, and Scout GPS Link. This level of Entune also includes a range of safety and monitoring features that can keep you up-to-date with your vehicle's performance and put you in touch with help if you require roadside assistance. The top-level Entune Premium Audio adds dynamic voice recognition, weather and traffic updates via HD Radio, and a Destination Assist Connect feature that can direct you turn-by-turn to your chosen location. Entune Premium Audio also features a nine-inch infotainment screen and a JBL audio system. How Can You Set up Entune? The first step to getting started with Entune is to pair your phone via Bluetooth. To do this, you'll need to download the Entune app and register for the service. Registration requires you to provide an email address and a password, as well as your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once your account is registered, you can select Bluetooth on your Entune display, go to your Bluetooth settings on your phone, and select your vehicle's Entune system. The on-screen instructions will then walk you through setup. Once your phone is paired with Entune App Suite, you'll need to approve Entune to access your contacts and messages. By doing this, you'll be able to make calls and send messages through your infotainment system. What Tasks Can You Perform With Entune App Suite? After Entune App Suite is connected with your phone, you can look forward to performing various tasks using voice commands or the head unit in your vehicle. You can use hands-free commands to accept or make phone calls, allowing you to stay focused on the road ahead while keeping in contact with friends, work colleagues, or family. You can also use the Siri Eyes Free app to give instructions to your phone just by tapping a button on your steering wheel. That means you can send and read text messages while you're on the go. You can also keep up-to-date with your social media accounts through their respective apps, which can be operated through Entune. The Pandora app is the ideal option if you want to stream your favorite musician or band. Alternatively, the Bluetooth connectivity used by Entune means that you can effortlessly transfer audio files from your phone to your infotainment system to be played, instead of having to link your phone to your car's USB port. Entune also comes equipped with its own wireless hotspot, so you won't have to worry about the amount of data you're using on your phone while you're on the go. What Are Some Further Benefits of Entune? If you have a large family, you'll be happy to hear that Entune can support up to five devices at once. So if you're on a road trip with the kids, they can link up with your Toyota's wireless network to play their favorite games or watch a show while you listen to music or a podcast. One further extremely helpful feature that comes with Entune is Remote Connect. If you've left your car and can't remember if you locked it, Remote Connect allows you to check via your phone and lock your vehicle remotely. You can also use Remote Connect to add restrictions to the use of your vehicle if someone else is driving it, and receive updates on how fast it's traveling. Service Connect supplies you with helpful information about your Toyota's performance and status. It includes data on your mileage, oil levels, and the status of your battery. This information can come in handy for you if you're concerned about keeping on top of a regular maintenance schedule for your car. Safety Connect is the Entune feature designed to come to your assistance if you're ever in an accident or breakdown. It can alert emergency services in case of an accident, or call for roadside assistance if your vehicle is in need of an urgent repair. We hope that our overview of Toyota's Entune infotainment system has helped you understand how it works and how useful it can be. If you want to learn more or have any questions about Entune, we'd love to hear from you. Here at Keith Pierson Toyota, our team of auto experts is ready to help you get the most out of your Toyota's entertainment features. Whether you're looking to buy a new vehicle with top-of-the-range infotainment features, or you want to check out our selection of used cars, contact us today to learn more.

Bring a Piece of 2020 to 2019 at Keith Pierson Toyota!

When you realize summer is on the way, you change a few things. You change the thermostat from winter to summer. You change wardrobes. But, you should also consider changing your old car or truck for a new vehicle from Keith Pierson Toyota. Today we want to show you why the new 2020 Toyota Corolla is a vehicle that you’ll always associate with summer. First off, the newly redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla has been empowered to make history. This is the first-ever Corolla hybrid, and it's sacrificed none of its Corolla reliability while gaining a ton of fuel efficiency. The traditional 2020 Toyota Corolla gets a respectable 31 MPG city and 38 MPG highway, but the new Toyota hybrid model makes 53 MPG city and 52 MPG highway! Any driving you do this summer will cost a lot less at the fuel pump in the 2020 Toyota Corolla hybrid, but will also have a much lower environmental cost than its previous incarnations. Saving money on gas is just scratching the surface of the 2020 Toyota Corolla. The safety features on this new model are second-to-none, with additions like the Toyota Safety Sense® suite of safety features. This includes the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection technology that allows your Corolla to detect and warn you of obstacles ahead, or even emergency brakes for you in order to stop a collision. The vehicle also comes standard with Apple CarPlay® connectivity, so you can enjoy complete access to your phone through the Corolla’s standard 8-inch touchscreen display. There’s never been a better time to own a 2020 Toyota Corolla than right now! Come into our Jacksonville, FL Toyota dealership and protect yourself from the heat with this incredibly cool car. See you soon!

Image of a teal 2019 Toyota Prius Prime parked in front of a sunset.

The Best Car for Your College Grad is Right Here at Keith Pierson Toyota

At Keith Pierson Toyota, we pride ourselves on being able to give out the best vehicles for any age range. Our Jacksonville, FL-area Toyota dealership will provide you with the greatest deals on sales, service, and new and pre-owned Toyota cars. Today, we want to cover a market that many people overlook: college graduates. It’s a unique time in people’s lives, where many have just started receiving enough income to make a significant first purchase. When you’re looking for a vehicle that will provide you with reliability and comfort, then it’s hard to go wrong with the 2019 Toyota Camry. With a tradition of reliability and a wide array of comfort options, the Camry will make commutes a breeze with features like the available Entune™ 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite on an 8-inch touchscreen. It also keeps you safe on the road with available Toyota Safety Sense™ P, the active safety suite with features like the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that monitors your vehicle’s position on the road and will slow your car down or stop it completely if it senses a collision. But if you’re looking for a vehicle that is the true combination of technology and fuel efficiency, then you cannot get any better than the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime. This plug-in hybrid vehicle brings the future of smart driving to the forefront with a wide 25-mile pure electric driving mode and a total overall driving range of 640 miles, which comes to an estimated 133 MPGe. Combine that with the available 11.6-inch touchscreen with a plethora of smart features like Entune™ 3.0 App Suite and available color heads-up display, and you’re going to have a ton of fun wherever you go. So come in today for a test drive of the vehicle of your choice. No matter what you might find at Keith Pierson Toyota, you’re going to get the best deal on a vehicle that will last you for years to come. See you soon!

Image of a dark blue 2019 Toyota RAV4 driving on a country road.

Getting Ready for Your Test Drive at Keith Pierson Toyota

Heading in for a test drive at any dealership is a fun time, because you’re checking out a new Toyota vehicle and having fun driving it. However, it’s easy to get lost in the experience of driving a new vehicle without paying attention to the finer points of the car. So today, we at Keith Pierson Toyota want to give you our tips for making sure your test drive is as productive as possible. For instance, if you’re coming into our Jacksonville, FL area Toyota dealership, then you’re going to want to do your research before even stopping in. What kind of vehicle are you in the market for? Do you want a storied sedan with years of reliability and innovative technologies behind it? Try out the 2019 Toyota Camry. Or are you looking for a crossover that combines speed and handling with an off-road spirit? Then you’re looking for the 2019 Toyota RAV4. There are also several different trims to consider, as well, especially if you’re going to consider a hybrid model. When you get behind the wheel for your test drive, you’ve got a few things you need to feel out before you drive off the lot. Were you able to get in and out easily? How does the interior of the cabin feel? Is it easy to adjust options on the infotainment screen with a minimum of hassle? Get a feel for the overall experience of the vehicle itself while it’s sitting still. But when you’re driving? Get into it! Find as many different traffic situations as possible. Highway traffic? Use it to test acceleration and the active safety features like blind spot detection. Stop-and-go traffic? Test other safety features like lane-keep assist with emergency braking and figure out how to navigate with the integrated touchscreen. Going for a test drive is a great way to make sure this vehicle is what you’re looking for. So come into our Jacksonville, FL Toyota dealer to find the right car for your lifestyle today!

Customer looking for a car at dealership

Getting the Most Out of Your Visit to Keith Pierson Toyota

Every car buyer wants to get the best-possible deal on a Toyota car, not to mention enjoy a smooth, hassle-free negotiation and purchase. Keith Pierson Toyota, a leading local Toyota dealer, has some tips to make this happen. more Budget: If you’re old enough to buy a car, you’re old enough to know how important a budget is to your individual/household purchases. Next to a house, an automobile is the most expensive thing any of us will buy in our lifetime - so it pays to take the time to crunch and re-crunch the numbers and confirm exactly how much of your monthly budget can be dedicated to a car payment. New or pre-owned? This important question is made even more important by the fact that the last few years have witnessed the birth of a new category: certified pre-owned (CPO). Used cars aren’t what they used to be, and that’s a good thing. Today’s pre-owned and CPO Toyota vehicles are well-maintained, in great condition, and very affordable. So whether you’re shopping for a Toyota Yaris or a Toyota RAV4 near St. Augustine, FL, we recommend considering the new, pre-owned, and CPO selections at our nearby Toyota dealership. Make time for a test drive (or two): Toyota cars look great in pictures and when parked in your neighbor’s driveway, but the only way to get a true feel for one is by taking it for a test drive. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to test drive any and all of the automobiles you’re interested in so you can gauge each car’s power, comfort, functionality, and features. The entire team at our Toyota dealership serving Orange Park, FL is dedicated to making your visit here a memorable one.

Couple communicating with the salesman in showroom

Separating Fact from Myth in Auto Sales

During our many years as one of the top-rated Toyota dealers serving St. Augustine, FL, we’ve encountered our share of car-buying myths. And while things have changed considerably since “the old days”, here are some myths that still persist. more Myth: It’s better to bring your own financing Fact: Unless you’re one of the one percent who can afford to pay cash for a car, you’ll need financing. But pursuing vehicle financing through a bank or credit union is rarely as advantageous as opting to finance a new Toyota Sienna or Toyota Camry through our local Toyota dealership. The reason for this is simple: outside entities find it very difficult to match our big specials and reduced interest rates. Myth: “If you don’t buy today, the deal goes away” Fact: We encourage our customers to go through their due diligence associated with buying a car. This means researching not just the vehicle you want, but also the deals associated with the vehicle. If you see a great deal but it expires the very next day, don’t make a hair-trigger decision you might regret. Instead, do the research, work out your budget, and rest assured that another good deal is just around the corner. Myth: It’s possible to out-negotiate our local Toyota dealer Fact: This one’s a simple matter of experience. We’re around the Toyota model family every day, and these cars are our livelihood. The average car buyer purchases a new automobile once every few years. There’s no way a car buyer knows more about Toyota vehicles and pricing then we do. And lest you think we’re bragging, we admit this cuts both ways. You’ll never find us designing a home or fixing a motherboard. Stop by today for great deals that are truly outstanding!

ToyotaCare: a New Car Buyer’s Dream

It doesn’t matter whether you’d like to purchase or lease your next new Toyota car, or what type of vehicle you want: ToyotaCare is a new-car buyer’s dream. So lease a Toyota Corolla, buy a Toyota Camry, or go a completely different direction – this program’s outstanding coverage remains the same. more Toyota Motor Sales USA understands exactly how all new-car buyers feel. Purchasing a new car is exciting, but also a little bit terrifying. A new car is a big investment, and no one can see the future – thus, each of us has a voice in the back of our head saying, “What if I get in an accident leaving the dealership?” or, “What if my engine conks out on my third day of ownership?” With the ToyotaCare program, peace of mind is in high supply. Every new Toyota vehicle sold by our Toyota dealers serving Orange Park, FL is covered by this no-cost maintenance plan, which covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance for every new Toyota over two years/25,000 miles. Also included is 24-hour roadside assistance for two years/unlimited miles. Normal maintenance includes important tune-ups like fluid inspection/adjustment, tire rotation, oil/oil filter change, and a multipoint vehicle inspection. Regarding 24-hour roadside assistance, everything you can think of is included: towing, tire service, battery jump-start, winching, lockout protection, and more. Another nice aspect of ToyotaCare is that it meshes well with the protection plans available at Keith Pierson Toyota in Jacksonville, FL. These include extended coverage plans that kick in when your warranty expires, prepaid maintenance plans that save money, and appearance protection plans to optimize your Toyota car’s resale value. Explore the Toyota brand’s award-winning model roster and then visit our local Toyota dealership for a test drive, ToyotaCare, and much more!

2018-Toyota-Camry-XSE-Technology-Package

High Toyota Sales So Far This Year

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) started off the second quarter of 2018 in splendid fashion. The brand’s daily selling rate (DSR) was 3.2 percent higher than April 2017, which is cause enough for excitement, but TMNA’s exceptional April didn’t stop there. Toyota light trucks posted their best-ever April sales, and more Toyota Highlander models sold in April 2018 than any April prior. more Along with the Toyota Highlander, several other Toyota vehicles delivered impressive April 2018 sales numbers. For example, 9,457 Toyota Tundra trucks were sold, 29,848 Toyota Camry sedans found a new home, and the Toyota RAV4--one of the world’s best-selling compact SUVs--reached 31,007 in sales. In light of the fact that Toyota models have once again proven their superior quality, safety, and performance, it’s natural that you may be struggling to determine which Toyota vehicle is right for you. The solution is to navigate to a Toyota dealer near me and visit the welcoming, well-stocked showroom at Keith Pierson Toyota. Our experienced team has decades of collective experience, and once we understand your wants and needs we’ll direct you to a model or two that will fit like a glove. Families seeking new wheels would be right in wanting to test drive a Toyota Highlander, and not just because of the record sales it posted recently. The 2018 Toyota Highlander is a powerful, versatile three-row crossover SUV with eight diverse trims to consider, including three trims with a hybrid powertrain. Now, if instead you desire a capable truck to enhance job site productivity and off-road enjoyment, test drive a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. An available V6 engine, max towing of 6,800 pounds, and abundant cutting-edge safety technology are just a sample of this truck’s capabilities. See you soon at our local Toyota dealership!

2018-Toyota-Tundra-1794-CrewMax

The Best Toyota Cars for Summer Road Trips

Planning a summer road trip or a weekend getaway to the lake? Want a truck or SUV that can tow and haul whatever you need it to? Whether we’re talking jet skis, a camper, or a boat, our Toyota dealers serving Jacksonville, FL have several vehicles on-hand that will fit the bill nicely for your summer adventures. more 2018 Toyota Tacoma: This multi-award winner is one of the industry’s most capable trucks. In fact, the Toyota Tacoma is the best-selling midsize pickup over the last 10 years. And when you pair the 2018 model’s available Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 engine with the optional Tow Package, you get a midsize pickup that can tow a herculean 6,800 pounds and handle a payload of up to 1,440 pounds. Plus if your summer explorations involve off-roading, few trucks can match the 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. 2018 Toyota Tundra: Toyota Motor Company makes a 2018 Toyota Tundra for all tastes, from the entry-level 2018 Toyota Tundra SR to the 2018 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition. One thing every trim has in common is a tough, rugged demeanor and plenty of tripper-friendly innovations: an available lower-and-lift tailgate, an optional deck rail system, and a max tow capacity of 10,200 pounds. What else would you expect from a truck that once towed the Space Shuttle Endeavor? 2018 Toyota Sequoia: Here’s a full-size SUV perfect for families whose adventures lie far beyond the beach or the amusement park. This vehicle’s 5.7-liter V8 engine and optional multi-mode 4WD system make for an unstoppable combination - and how many SUVs can you think of that have an available tow capacity of 7,400 pounds, plus trailer-sway control and a special tow/haul mode? Visit Keith Pierson Toyota in Jacksonville to test drive a Toyota Tacoma or another of these well-qualified summertime road warriors!

Driver.

The Toyota Graduate Finance Program

Looking for a great way to reward the recent college graduate in your life? Refer them to the Toyota Graduate Finance Program and watch their eyes light up. Toyota specials don’t come much better (or more worthwhile) than this one, which offers qualified grads a $750 rebate towards the lease or purchase of a new Toyota vehicle at Keith Pierson Toyota. more To qualify, graduates must have obtained their degree within the last two years, or plan to graduate within the next six months. Graduates must also finance their vehicle through Toyota Financial Services (TFS), where they’ll be privy to some of the auto industry’s most competitive APRs. Also, before slipping behind the wheel of a Toyota Prius or a Toyota Camry, he/she must show proof of current or future employment when submitting a credit application. For those graduates not yet employed at the time of submission, we’ll require proof of future employment within 120 days of the purchase contract date. Pretty easy, huh? And here’s an added bonus: along with a $750 rebate and a terrific APR, grads also benefit from no payments for the first 90 days of new car ownership. And in more good news, the Toyota Graduate Finance Program isn’t just for grads of four-year colleges/universities. Graduates from an accredited two-year junior college or technical college are also eligible, as are graduates of a registered nursing degree program, and students who’ve graduated from an accredited two-year vocational or trade school. For qualified graduates, an outstanding selection of vehicles awaits at our Toyota dealer serving St. Augustine, FL. From sedans like the Toyota Camry to SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, we’ll help you select the perfect car with which to begin an exciting new chapter of life!

Leasing Business Keyboard Concept

How the Car Leasing Process Works

If you’re the kind of driver who enjoys sampling different models every few years, wants lower monthly payments and a lower down payment, and doesn’t want to worry about selling or trading in a car, then a lease is perfect for you. At Keith Pierson Toyota, we make it easy to lease a Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sienna, or Toyota RAV4 near St. Augustine, FL. more When you lease a vehicle, your maintenance costs will be lower because your car’s warranty will still be current by the time your lease expires. You’ll also avoid the considerable depreciation that’s intrinsic to purchasing a car – this is a big reason why your monthly payments are lower when leasing. Moreover, leases are popular not just with drivers who like the flexibility of driving a new car every few years, but also with businesses that want their salespeople driving an upscale car--like a Toyota Avalon--for a lower price. And as an added bonus from a business perspective, leasing a car or fleet of cars is a good tax write-off. Of course, before you sign a contract you should be aware of leasing’s downsides. One of the biggest is also the most obvious: the fact that you won’t own the car, and thus won’t be able to fully pay off the vehicle and drive for a few years without a car payment. Another downside is that leases come with mileage caps for which penalties are incurred when the cap is exceeded. It really comes down to your personal wants and needs. We recommend visiting the Toyota brand’s official website and exploring the lease offers currently available, and then navigating to your favorite “ Toyota dealer near me” and speaking with one of the knowledgeable team members at Keith Pierson Toyota.

car sales

Keith Pierson Toyota makes Trade-ins Easy

At Keith Pierson Toyota in Jacksonville, FL, we make it easy to trade-in your car. And given that our Toyota automobiles have won dozens of awards, we’ve certainly done plenty of business with customers looking to get behind the wheel of a Toyota vehicle. more If you’re interested in trading in your current car for a Toyota Highlander, a Toyota Camry near Jacksonville, FL, or another of our first-rate vehicles, the first thing you should do is establish a value for your car – and you can do that right on our website, simply by clicking the “Sell us your car” tab, followed by “Schedule an appraisal”. You’ll be asked a series of questions about your car, spread over four easy steps. When you’re finished, just submit your information and one of our friendly team members will contact you to discuss further. Another option to consider is our “Instant Cash Offer”, which is facilitated in conjunction with Kelley Blue Book (KBB). KBB is one of the nation’s leading automobile appraisers, and we’re thrilled to offer this service to our customers. You can find it under the “Sell us your car” tab, and then clicking “Sell or trade your car”. After you’ve provided us with information about your vehicle, you’ll receive an “Instant Cash Offer” within minutes. You then have the choice of keeping the cash or using it as a down payment towards a new car at our Toyota Jacksonville dealer near St. Augustine, FL. When you visit us to complete the deal, remember to bring your vehicle’s title and registration, along with the owner’s manual and all keys/remotes. Also, all persons listed on the title must be present. For more information and to get started, contact our local Toyota dealership today!

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