All posts filed under: Auto

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 …

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 …

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. …

How to Replace A Vehicle Air Filter

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Your vehicle’s air filter helps protect your vehicle by preventing harmful contaminants such as pollen, dirt and sand from being sucked into your vehicle’s engine. There are warning signs to look for that indicate your air filter is dirty. Look for poor gas mileage, a misfiring or idling engine, gasoline smell, black smoke, the check engine light illuminated and decreased engine power, throttle response and acceleration. Your air filter should be changed every 12,000 miles or 12 months to best protect the engine. Luckily, the process of changing an air filter is relatively simple. Your friends at Leif Johnson Ford would love to walk you through the steps! First, purchase an air filter that matches your vehicle’s make and model. If you need help with this, do a quick internet search or call your friends at Leif Johnson Ford! Mark your new filter with today’s date. This will help you remember how long it’s been since your last filter change. Make sure the your vehicle is secure. Park the car on level ground and apply …

5 Tips To Having A Stress-Free Car Buying Experience

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At Leif Johnson Ford, we want to sell you a vehicle. But we want more than that. We want to sell you a vehicle at a price that works for you, and we work hard to save you money. We understand that sometimes it can be hard to know exactly how to save dollars when vehicle shopping. Our number one goal is to make that process easy for you, so we’re making purchasing a car a little less overwhelming with these simple steps. Research your vehicle options ahead of time Of course you want to get a good deal, but don’t only consider an incredible price tag. Is this vehicle reliable? Does the size and fuel-economy work for you and your family? Will it work for your lifestyle? These are all important things to research and consider when looking to purchase a vehicle. Sites like Edmunds and JDPower.com are great for guiding you to vehicles that will help fit your needs. 2. Email ahead Have a list of vehicles in mind and want more information? …