Author: leifjohnsonfordatx

4th of July in (and around) Austin

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Looking to plan last minute 4th of July festivities? We’ve got six of our favorite Austin and Austin area events ready for you! 1. 4th of July Parade and Celebration in Cedar Park 10 am – Enjoy a parade along Discovery Boulevard, starting at the H-E-B Center and going to the Recreation Center. 5pm – 10:30 pm – Now it’s time for live music, bingo, air castles, watermelon and so much more at Elizabeth Milburn Park. This family-friendly day and evening is sure to be a blast for all. 2. H-E-B Austin Symphony Concert, Vic Mathias Shore Tens of thousands gather Austin Symphony music played in sync with an incredible firework show. This event is the biggest fireworks display in all of Texas! The Symphony starts at 8:30, but get there earlier if you want a good seat. 3. Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Celebration Enjoy live music, a potato sack race, an obstacle course, shopping, fireworks and so much more! The festivities begin at 4pm and go until 10 pm, so get ready for …

Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Transmission

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Your transmission is a vital part of your vehicle, and it is so important to keep yours in the best of conditions. It’s especially important to ensure the health of your transmission is this Texas heat. Leif Johnson Ford is here with some tips on how to keep that transmission in tip-top shape! Change Transmission Fluid This is vital for lubrication and good performance. Check your transmission fluid levels. Low fluid levels or fluid levels that drop quickly might mean you have a leak. Also check your vehicle’s radiator and coolant levels. The radiator controls your engine heat, but it helps your transmission stay at a proper temperature as well. Low or dirty fluids will increase chances of wear and overheating. Change every 15,000 miles or once a year (See owner’s manual). If you have a vehicle that does heavy towing regularly, you will want to check fluids monthly. Use a high-quality synthetic transmission fluid. These will be less likely to degrade at higher temperatures. Use Brakes  Do not downshift to slow down car. Downshifting …

5 Top Austin-Area Camping Spots

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Welcome back, friends! Last week we shared with you the essentials needed for a camping trip. This week, we’ll be giving you our top picks for family-friendly camping spots in the Austin area. Get your tents and your adventuring pants ready! Cedar Breaks Park Located on Lake Georgetown, this gorgeous spot offers 59 campsites to reserve. Boating, fishing and hiking the trails are all great adventures to partake in when camping at Cedar Breaks. Not only is this one on the water, mesquite trees provide shade to 90% of the scenic sites. That makes this is an absolutely perfect summer location!  Camping fees are $26. 2. Ink Lakes Park If you’re a camper looking for a more guided experience, this is the spot for you. Get a history lesson at the visitor’s center and learn even more at the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are both campsites and cabins to choose from. Hike nine miles of forests and hills, go fishing, rent a paddleboat and so much more at this Burnet go-to. The water level stays …

Texas Camping Road-Trip Essentials

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 Planning a camping trip this summer? Leif Johnson Ford would love to help! Welcome to part one of our two part camping trip blog. For our first post, we’ll be covering camping essentials to bring with you on your road-trip. For part two, we’ll cover five of our favorite camping spots in the Austin area. Buckle up, friends! Note – This list is meant for longer camping road-trips. You may need less items for a weekend trip, but this list will still be regardless in gauging what items you’ll need. Texas Summer Camping Road-Trip Essentials  Tent with Rain Fly and Footprint Tent poles and stakes Extra tarp or canopy Repair kit for tent Sleeping Bags Camp Pillows Quick dry towels Umbrella Camera First Aid Kit Flashlight and/or Lantern Trash bags Food storage containers Bug Spray Sunscreen Toothbrush + Toothpaste All Purpose Tool Light blankets (or camp blankets. Perfect for summer!) Backpacks, small suitcase and/or large rolling duffle Hot/Cold bag Cooler Fishing hooks, road and bait Flexible cutting board Tupperware Good knives Vegetable peeler Spatula Bin …

How To: Flush Your Radiator & Change Coolant

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While the official start to summer is still about a week away, those of us in Texas are definitely already feeling the heat. Having a vehicle A/C that works properly is absolutely a must with this 100+ degree weather. That’s why it’s vital to ensure that your radiator has recently been flushed and that your coolant has been changed. Not sure how to do the flushing or change? Your friends at Leif Johnson Ford are here to give you simple and step-by-step instructions! Open the radiator fill cap. This can usually be found on the top of the radiator. If your vehicle has a plastic tank or reservoir for coolant, go ahead and open that too. Now it’s time to check your vehicle’s owner manual. First, look for the location of the radiator petcock. (Petcock = Small valve) Position the petcock underneath this area to capture the antifreeze. Open the drain and let all coolant drain into this container until it ceases to flow. Proceed to close the petcock/drain. Now it’s time to pour your …

5 Summer Road-Trip Spots Outside of Austin

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It’s time to start planning those summer vacations! If you don’t have much PTO or just don’t have the time or money to escape for long, your friends at Leif Johnson Ford are here to help. We have five mini road-trips from Austin that will leave you feeling like you’re on vacation miles from home! Krause Springs This gorgeous camping and swimming site in Spicewood, Texas is an awesome addition to your summer agenda. Don’t miss the butterfly gardens while you’re there! 2. Magnolia Silos Waco, Texas was put on the map by Chip and Joanna Gaines, and there’s a good chance you’ve heard of their famous Magnolia Silos. It’s very much its own little world full of shopping, food, a garden and games. Expect big crowds at the market and eateries, but know the treats, sights and Instagram photos are well worth your time! 3. Hamilton Pool A beautiful and natural pool created when the dome of an underground river collapsed, this popular attraction boasts arguably the most incredible waterfall in the Austin area. …

Summer Organizational Tips For Vehicle

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Summer is officially upon us. This means the kids are out of school, and road-trips, sports games, slumber parties and new adventures are probably in the works. This also might mean that your car is a mess, or has the potential to be that way soon. But with all of the upcoming car rides, this is also the time that it’s best to have a well-organized vehicle. Leif Johnson Ford is here with some easy ways to keep your vehicle organized and ready for all of the fun summer has in store! Grab a box with a lid from the dollar store and pack all of your summer necessities. Think sunscreen, bug spray, extra shoes, extra clothes, swim suits, sun hats, baby powder for removing sand, etc. Keep a durable and labeled folder with important items such as your insurance and registration safe in the glove compartment. These are items that often seem to disappear right when we need them most, and this simple trick helps ensure that doesn’t happen! Hang a shoe organizer and …