All posts filed under: ATX

How To: Replace A Headlight and Taillight

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The bad news: You noticed a headlight on your vehicle went out. The good news: This is a fairly simple repair that can be done at home. Your friends at Leif Johnson are here to take you through the step by steps for replacing headlights from the convenience of home! Here’s what you’ll need: New light bulbs  (Make sure to check online, your local auto or with our service department for what bulbs your vehicle needs.), alcohol wipes and tissues and a Phillips screwdriver Replacing a headlight?  Step 1 : Locate the headlight holder. Access the headlight bulb through your engine compartment. Open your hood and locate the headlight near the front of your vehicle. You will find it in a bulb holder, with a power connector leading to the bulb. Step 2:  Remove power wires. These will be attached to a plug at the base of the headlight and held by a plastic catch, a metal clip or a screw cap. Look for a small lever on the top of the plastic catch. Proceed to …

5 Austin Spots To Study & Relax

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It’s back to school time, and that means it’s also time for buckling down with the routine and/or getting back to studying. Whether you’re a student, a parent or both, these top Austin spots are amazing for studying, relaxing and all of the fun in between! Austin Public Library – Central Library Eat a meal or enjoy a cup of coffee at Cookbook Café, spend some time perusing the massive amount of books or just stand in awe of the incredible amount of beauty that makes up Central Library. We’re talking six stories and 200,000 square feet and a rooftop deck to boot. This is a perfect and awe-inspiring spot to study or relax! 2. Halycon Whether you’re looking for coffee, a cocktail or some really tasty eats, Halycon has it. Order some tator tot nachos, grab a seat and get to business! With one location on 4th Street and another on Muller, all you have to do is pick the coziest spot for you. 3. Barton Springs If you can go without WiFi for …

Back-To-School Vehicle Check

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Summer vacation is coming to a close, and it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in the best condition possible for all of those school drops-offs, pick-ups, and “mom/dad-I-forgot-my-fill-in-the-blank’s.” Leif Johnson Ford is here to give you a rundown of what to check to ensure that your car is ready for back to school! Check your oil level and condition of oil – Having little or no oil in your vehicle can cause serious damage. Oil keeps parts lubricated and protects against engine friction. This one is pretty basic, but also so important! Headlights and brake lights – Burned out brake lights are dangerous and can get you a ticket, so it’s important to make sure that these are always in working order. Brakes– If you are hearing any grinding, or if your vehicle doesn’t seem to be stopping efficiently enough, it’s time to get those brakes checked out. Brake pads need to be replaced and rotors need to machined periodically so that they wear evenly and brake smoothly. Windshield Wipers and Windshield Wiper …

Five Ways To Cool Off in Austin

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Looking for some ways to stay cool in our great (but super hot) city? As the temperatures continue to rise, your friends at Leif Johnson Ford have compiled a list of five of our favorite ways to cool off in the Austin area! Visit a swimming hole- The Austin area is full of lovely swimming pools and holes to enjoy on a sweaty summer’s day. Beloved Barton Springs, Wimberley’s majestic Blue Hole and Spicewood’s gorgeous Krause Springs are just a few of our favorite options! And if you’re looking for a little history with your swimming, dive into the oldest swimming hole in Austin at Deep Eddy’s! Discover a splash pad – Austin has so many totally free splash pads. Pease Park, Downtown Round Rock, The Triangle and Liz Carpenter Fountain at Butler Park are just a few of the amazing options. Go paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing. Lady Bird is Austin’s favorite, but spots like Brushy Creek Park and Lake Austin also offer these on-the-water excursions! Spend a day at the lake. From dining on …

How To: Save Money On Gas

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Is gas money getting in the way of pinching pennies and saving dollars this summer? Leif Johnson Ford is here to give you some simple tips on how to save money at the pump! Don’t leave your vehicle in the hot sun, as this will cause gas to evaporate. Stay in the shade as often as possible! Do use the right kind of motor oil. You can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by one to two percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended oil. Don’t lose your fuel cap. Gas is able to escape the system when the fuel cap is removed from your vehicle. Do check your tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure once a month with a digital gauge, as under-inflated tires can decrease gas mileage by about 0.2 percent for every one psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Don’t top off your vehicle. Additional gas will only slop or seep out, and there’s no point for paying for gas that ends up on the street. Do replace air filters. When …

2018 F-150 Powerstroke Diesel Overview

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Great news, truck lovers! Ford is making F-150 history with its very first half ton diesel. These beauties are just beginning to roll into our Leif Johnson Ford locations, and we could not be more excited. Interested in owning one of these legends? Here’s what you’re working with: 3.0 Liter, Turbo-charged Diesel Engine  250 Horsepower and 440 ft pounds of torque. These features are both best in class! Fuel Economy. 25 MPG on the highway, and 20 in the city. Switching from a regular F-150 means you’ll be saving up to $1,000 a year on gas! Can tow up to 11,400 pounds Has a payload capacity of 2,020 pounds  The SelectShift 10 speed automatic transmission allows for smooth and precise shifts. Snazzy onboard tech including Sync 3 and and MyKey (The latter is especially useful if you have teenagers and want to encourage responsible driving. There’s even a setting for keeping music off until seatbelts are buckled!) New variable geometry turbo-charger, fuel injection system, connecting rod and main bearings, oil pan and a forged crankshaft. …

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 …