The information in this comprehensive guide provides a detailed look at vehicle leasing. It is meant to help you, the consumer, in your decisionmaking. The guide answers the following key questions in depth:

How is leasing different from buying?
What are the up-front, ongoing, and end-of-term costs of leasing?
How can I compare lease offers and negotiate lease terms?
Where can I get more information about leasing?

The information in the guide applies to leases signed on or after January 1, 1998. It does not represent official interpretations of Federal Reserve Board regulations.

Terms used in the guide may be used differently in different situations, and their exact definition under federal law may differ from that under state law. Please refer to Federal Reserve Board Regulation M, which implements the Consumer Leasing Act, for more information about federal lease disclosures and terms. The guide does not cover credit transactions, even those that are similar in some respects to leasing.