All posts tagged: auto

5 Top Austin-Area Camping Spots

Published by

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 …

How To: Flush Your Radiator & Change Coolant

Published by

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

Published by

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

Published by

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 …

How to Replace A Vehicle Air Filter

Published by

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 …

Getting Your Vehicle Summer Ready

Published by

 Summer is right around the corner, friends. It’s vacation, road-trip, boating and fun time! It’s also a great time to make sure your vehicle is ready to let the good times roll. Is your vehicle ready for the hot months of a Texas summer? The heat can take a toll on your vehicle, so it’s important to ensure that your ride is in tip-top shape. Leif Johnson Ford is here with some quick tips on how to do just that! Check the radiator and hoses for leaks and cracks. The radiator is located near the front of the vehicle after you open the hood, and there will be a cap enclosing the coolant. Ensure that all connections are secure, and that the reservoir is half full. Add coolant or antifreeze if it is low. Before you check under the hood, make sure the engine is cool. You could be injured if removing the radiator cap when hot or warm. If your temperature gauge does reach high levels or your vehicle alerts you that your engine …

Dashboard Warning Meanings

Published by

Ever have a car warning appear on your dashboard and you have absolutely no idea what it means? This is an all too common occurrence – most of us have not memorized the meaning of each and every warning –  and one that could potentially be dangerous if left alone too long. At Leif Johnson Ford, we want to make sure you are safe and in-the-know at all times, which is why we’re here to give you the low down of each and every dashboard warning. Fog light (front.) Power steering warning light Fog light (rear) Washer fluid low Brake pad warning Cruise control on Direction indicators Rain and light sensor Winter mode Information indicator Glow plug/diesel pre-heat warning Frost warning Ignition switch warning Key not in vehicle Key fob battery low Distance warning Press clutch pedal Press brake pedal Steering lock warning Main beam headlights Tire pressure low Sidelight information Exterior light fault Brake lights warning Diesel particulate filter warning Trailer low hitch warning Air suspension warning Lane departure warning Catalytic convertor warning Seat …

Ford Pass SmartLink

Published by

Do you have a 2010-2017 Ford? If so, you’re in luck! Ford just released SmartLink, which allows its owners to use the incredible features of Ford Pass on these older model vehicles. This device will plug into the onboard diagnostics port below the steering wheel and is roughly the size of a deck of cards. SmartLink allows older model vehicles to use all of the nifty features that have until now only been available on newer Fords. This includes 4G LTE WiFi, vehicle location tracking and smartphone integration of key fob features such as remote engine start, lock + unlock and vehicle health and security alerts. It will also allow users to create “geo-fences” around certain areas, and to create alerts when your vehicle enters this area. (This one is great for monitoring sneaky teenagers.) The price for the SmartLink device is $16.99 a month plus installation fees for 24 months. This simple and fun device is absolutely perfect for turning your older car into a smarter car! Call us at 512-454-3711 for more details …

10 Simple Hacks For Your Vehicle

Published by

It’s safe to assume a couple of things. 1. Most of us want life to be just a little bit simpler. and 2. In Texas, our every day commute is usually a big part of our lives. What if we could use the knowledge of those two statements to make life a little easier for you? Your Leif Johnson Ford friends are here with some super simple car hacks to make you day-to-day drive a little less stressful and a little more fun. Prevent door dings in tight garage parking spaces by horizontally affixing pool noodles against the wall of your garage. As the door swings open, you’ll now have a bumper to keep your vehicle from banging up the car or wall. Also consider placing a noodle where you park the front of your car. This will allow you to pull all the way forward without worrying about damaging your vehicle! Have cloudy headlights? Toothpaste can fix that! Add just a little bit of toothpaste to a clean rag  and begin to scrub the …

Truck Month @ Leif Johnson Ford

Published by

It is officially Truck Month at Leif Johnson Ford! Every year during our Truck Month, we donate $100 of each new truck sold to Susan G. Komen. This means that you are helping us save lives and give back to our community! Quick Facts: Just one $100 donation can cover the cost of a life-saving mammogram On any given day, about 1,000 women receive a free breast cancer screening made possible by Susan G. Komen Through Komen’s research and community programs, there are more than 3 million survivors and counting. From 1989-2014, there has been a 38 percent decrease in breast cancer mortality Last year during Truck Month, our Leif Johnson Ford family raised a total of $27,700 to donate to Komen Austin. We’ve only just begun week two, and have already raised nearly 5,000 this year! Thank you to all of our amazing customers who are helping us fight against cancer, one beautiful new truck at a time!