Don’t Miss These Fun January Events

Posted on January 12, 2018 by admin

When you’re on the road this January (or looking for an excuse to do so), check out one of these fun events happening this month near your Temple Ford dealership.

25th MLK Community March, Rally, and Cultural Festival – January 15

Come out and honor the great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., at this free event taking place in Austin.

The 25th MLK Community March, Rally, and Cultural Festival will kick off at 9am at the University of Texas at 21st and Speedway under the MLK Statue. The march will continue on to the south steps of the State Capitol Building for a short program before continuing on to the historic Huston-Tillostson University where the festival will take place until 3pm.

The event organizers request that marchers bring can goods and non-perishable food items to donate to the Central Texas Food Bank.

Lunar New Year Festival – January 26

Check out this fun and free cultural event to mark the Chinese New Year. 2018 is the Year of the Dog and the Lunar New Year Festival is ushering it in with Asian food, performances, and cultural activities. There will be a dragon dancing, lighting firecrackers, and exchanging red money envelopes. Head to the University of Texas to join in on the fun.

Austin Bacon and Beer Festival – January 26-28

The 5th Annual Austin Bacon and Beer Festival is setting up to be as popular as ever this year. Produced by Edible Austin in partnership with Eat Boston, the festival has sold out in multiple cities, including Boston, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Austin in previous years.

The event showcases bacon-centric foods prepared by bacon-loving local chefs. This delicious showcase will be presented alongside local craft brews. General admission starts at 1pm at Brazos Hall and costs $47.00 for all samples inside. A premium tickets sets you back $100.00, but gets you early admission at 12:30pm, all samples inside, and a commemorative t-shirt and tasting glass.

The fest will run until 4pm. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Central Texas Food Bank.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

Stop by Johnson Bros. Ford this January to test drive a new or used vehicle if it’s time to upgrade your ride. You can also stop by Johnson Bros. Ford if you need to schedule some maintenance with our service department.

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Tips to Keep Your Car Ready for Winter Travel

Posted on January 4, 2018 by admin

When you get a new vehicle from Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln, or you get your vehicle serviced here, you may feel a little complacent when it comes to Old Man Winter. No matter how much care you give your vehicle, you’re bound to have some issues when temperatures drop well below freezing.

Battery

Batteries hate the cold. If your battery has a low charge because it’s older, it’s time to change it out. While your vehicle may start fine when it’s warmer, it will have a hard time turning the starter when it’s cold. And, if your battery is barely charging, a good cold snap could kill it for good. Instead of taking a chance with an older battery, have our service technicians replace the battery if it’s near or past the warranty date.

Also, make sure the battery cables are tight. Check them with the vehicle off – you should not be able to twist them on the battery posts. If so, tighten the nut just enough to keep the battery terminal from twisting on the post. Also be sure the battery terminals are clean – there should be no green or white powder on the terminals. You can clean it off with baking soda and water – be careful, it is acid – but bring your vehicle by to have us check the battery.

Belts and Hoses

Without a belt turning the water pump and without a hose to carry the water through the cooling system, you’re going to be stuck with no heat in the vehicle. If you haven’t had your vehicle checked recently, bring it by so that we can make sure the belts and hoses are in good condition. A worn belt could snap in cold weather.

Check Your Vehicle’s Fluids

While all fluids are important, there are two you definitely don’t want to run out of – the mix in the windshield washer bottle and antifreeze in the radiator. You need the proper amount of antifreeze to keep the water in your engine and radiator from freezing. And, you don’t want the windshield cleaner to freeze, either. You may need to clean your windows of slush if it sprays onto your windshield.

As for your engine’s oil, it needs to have the proper viscosity for winter. Your service tech at Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln will ensure that your vehicle has the proper engine oil when you bring it in for an oil change.

Stop by Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln

Stop by Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln to have your vehicle serviced for winter and to make sure everything is set for the cold including oil, tires, belts, hoses, antifreeze, wiper fluid and more.

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5 Reasons to Drive Into 2018 With a Mustang

Posted on December 29, 2017 by admin

The 2018 Mustang is better than ever and it’s available right now at Johnson Bros. Ford. Come in and test drive it today and we’re sure you’ll want to drive it straight into 2018.

1. It’s Affordable

The 2018 Mustang won’t set your bank account back as much as other cars in its class. Starting out under $25,585, a 2018 Mustang might be more in your reach than you think. Not to mention that the base model comes with plenty of standard entertainment, performance, and safety features.

2. It’s Head Turning

There’s no denying that the Mustang is a great looking car. If you want to turn heads wherever you go, you need to get behind the wheel of a Mustang. With its aggressive good looks, distinctive headlights, and muscular bearing, it commands respect on the road.

3. It’s Powerful

With a couple of powerful engine options, including the available V-8, and either an automatic gearbox or six-speed manual transmission, the 2018 Mustang is one fast car. If you want to cruise the highway in a sleek and powerful ride, leave it to the Mustang to provide.

4. It’s Just Plain Fun to Drive

It’s a bit subjective, but it’ll feel objective when you’re behind the wheel giving the Mustang a test drive. The Mustang handles beautifully thanks, in part, to the fact that it’s heavier than a traditional sports car. This means that you hug the road like you’ve never experienced. Even at higher speeds it can handle curves in the road like they’re nothing.

5. Did We Mention There’s a Convertible Option?

Well there is. If you love that classic wind in your hair driving experience, don’t forget to ask for a convertible 2018 Mustang.

See the Mustang at Johnson Bros. Ford

Make your dreams come true by purchasing a brand new Ford Mustang right here at Johnson Bros. Ford. We’re your No. 1 Ford dealer in Texas, offering the latest and greatest Ford vehicles for the best prices in the industry, whether you’re seeking the high performance Mustang, the rugged F-150, the fuel-efficient Focus, or any of Ford’s other must-see models.

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Easy Holiday Cookies Your Family Will Love

Posted on December 22, 2017 by admin

Making cookies for the holidays is a tradition in many households. It’s something the whole family can get involved with and have fun doing. If you want more fun and less work, however, then this no-mess cookie recipe is just the thing you’re looking for. It creates almost no dishes, so cleanup is basically nonexistent.

NO-MESS HOLIDAY COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cardamom, cloves, or nutmeg
¼ teaspoon baking powder
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
Colored sanding sugars or royal icing (optional; for decorating)
your favorite cookie cutters

DIRECTIONS

Process butter in a food processor until smooth. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar and process until thoroughly blended into butter, about 1 minute. Add egg yolks and vanilla; process until mixture is smooth and looks glossy, about 30 seconds. Add salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, baking powder, and 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. flour; pulse until dough comes together around the blade. Turn out onto a work surface and knead a couple of times to incorporate any floury bits. Divide dough in half; pat into two ½”-thick disks. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, 45–60 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼” thick. Punch out cookies with cookie cutters and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing at least 1″ apart. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using, and press in lightly to adhere. Gather up scraps and reroll once. Chill cookies on baking sheets until firm, 5–10 minutes, then bake until edges are golden brown, 12–18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
If using royal icing, decorate cooled cookies and let dry 2 hours.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

Stop by Johnson Bros. Ford to test drive a new vehicle for the holidays. Be sure to ask your salesperson about any lease or finance specials we might be running on your favorite Ford or Lincoln model.

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Decorating Your Car for the Holidays

Posted on December 15, 2017 by admin

This year, take Christmas decorating to a whole new level. Don’t just decorate your house: Decorate your vehicle, too. Whether you have a brand new vehicle you just picked up from Johnson Bros. Ford or you are driving a vehicle that is a couple of years old, have fun with decorating it.

Mobile Christmas Tree

You wouldn’t want to put a big tree up through the moon roof as that would definitely restrict your vision, but you could put a small tree in the vehicle. Decorate the tree to the hilt, but make sure it doesn’t block your view in the mirrors or out of the windows.

Wreath

Add a wreath to the front of your vehicle. The grille allows air in to help cool the air conditioning condenser and the radiator, so be sure the wreath doesn’t block too much of the air flow. Decorate the wreath with bows or large Christmas bulbs.

Big Red Bow

Another great way to show the Christmas spirit is to add a big red bow to the front of your vehicle. Add sparkles to the bow to add a bit more decoration. You could also add small decorations to the bow, including small wreaths, which would be set off by the red color.

Lights

Add Christmas lights to the bottom of your vehicle. Wire them in to light up when you turn the ignition on. Or you could wire them to a switch so that you could turn them on and off when needed. Use lights made for underbody lighting; just choose red and green or multiple Christmas colors.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

Stop by Johnson Bros. Ford to test drive a new vehicle for the holidays. Once you have your new vehicle, you’ll be able to decorate it with festive decorations. If you are not ready for a new vehicle because your current vehicle is only a year or two old, be sure to call our service department for an appointment to have maintenance completed or to have your vehicle, including the tires, checked for the winter.

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Safe Holiday Driving

Posted on December 8, 2017 by admin

When you think about the holiday season before it hits, you probably think of your family traditions and the delicious food you’ll soon be eating. What you may forget about is holiday travel and the stresses it can cause.

However, holiday driving doesn’t have to be entirely about traffic jams, grumpy kids, and sleet on the roads. By following a few simple holiday driving trips, you can make your travel experience this holiday season much more safe and enjoyable.

Watch the Weather

Many holiday drivers are forced to leave home in horrible weather to make it to their destination on time. Watch the weather before you leave, and keep an eye out for areas that will be experiencing icy or snowy conditions. Avoid those areas if possible, and if not, allow yourself some extra travel time.

Be Cautious Around Large Trucks

No one likes having to pass semi-trucks in winter driving conditions, but you can make sharing the road with them a lot easier. Don’t cut in front of them. They take much longer to stop than a car, so allow them plenty of space before you merge back into their lane after passing. Be careful of their blind spots too. If you can’t see the driver in their mirrors, they can’t see your vehicle.

Drive Slow

Holiday driving almost always involves a conversation about “making good time” on the road. Forget about how long it takes you to get to your destination, and focus on safety. This means driving slower in winter conditions than you would on clear roads. Speeding is also much more dangerous on a congested roadway, so slow down in heavy traffic.

Watch the Road

While it can be tempting to look at your phone or GPS, don’t do it! Have passengers do the navigating and text messaging for you. Just two seconds of taking your eyes off the road can double your chance of an accident.

Service Your Vehicle

It’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for long-distance travel before you hit the road. Bring your vehicle by your Temple Ford dealer, Johnson Bros. Ford, and our Johnson Bros. Ford service department will have your vehicle in top shape before you leave.

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Tips for Holiday Shopping

Posted on November 26, 2017 by admin

The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start thinking about shopping for your friends and family. Shopping can be time consuming at the best of times, but when you’re busy working and planning holiday trips, finding the time to shop along the way can be a challenge.

To make things easier, consider these shopping tips to make it a more joyful experience.

Shopping Tips

Do as much shopping as you can as early as you can.
If presents need to be mailed, get those to the post office early so they’ll arrive in time.
If shopping time is limited, purchase some stockings, goodies and snacks, and assorted gift cards and create a holiday “stocking gift” for everyone on your list. Fill with holiday candy, gourmet tea and coffee, specialty cheeses, candy canes, and any other treat along with a select gift card.
If you’re heading to a family or friend’s home for the holidays, stop along the way at interesting out of the way specialty or antique shops and general stores and pick up a unique gift like handcrafted candles, homemade preserves, or a vintage lantern.

Suggested Gifts Car Enthusiasts

Car accessories are always welcome for any auto enthusiast. Purchase new premium floor mats, over the seat organizers, console organizers, or phone/GPS holders.
Put together an emergency kit. It’s a gift that could come in handy if your loved one is ever in a bind while traveling and shows that you care about their well being. Include items like a flashlight, reflective emergency cones, a basic tool kit, and other useful items.
Help pay for upgrades or services. Whether they want a new car stereo system, new wheels, or need some brake service done, getting someone’s car up to code is a great gift idea.
Take them to Johnson Bros. Ford to test drive a new or used vehicle. If you’ve got someone really special on your list that deserves a new ride, give them a spin in a Ford or Lincoln and get them into a fresh set of wheels.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

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Thanksgiving Road Trip Tips

Posted on November 10, 2017 by admin

Hitting the road for Thanksgiving offers a combination of excitement and stress that has become synonymous with holiday travel. But the busy roads shouldn’t keep you from getting to your destination. Follow these Thanksgiving road trip tips to make this holiday travel season the easiest and most enjoyable one yet.

Do the Proper Planning

Planning a road trip may not seem as important as planning a flight, but the proper preparations can ensure you have a good time. The day before Thanksgiving has long been known as the busiest travel day of the year, and the following Sunday is almost as busy. Avoid these travel days whenever possible.

Pack a GPS

Most smartphones come equipped with GPS applications, and a number of our vehicles here at Johnson Bros. Ford also come with GPS capabilities. A good GPS system can save you a lot of hassle and give you a realistic look at your arrival time. A GPS can also help you find an alternative route if your usual route is too highly traveled.

Stop Often

More crowded roads and holiday deadlines can make you feel like you need to arrive at your destination in a hurry, but the best way to enjoy a road trip is to take your time. Make stops for good, healthy foods and get out of the car to stretch your legs or toss a football around. If you see a roadside attraction you’re interested in along the way, don’t be afraid to stop. Many times, the stops you make along a road trip are what make the journey even more pleasing than the destination.

Have the Right Road Trip Vehicle

The vehicle you use for your travels makes a big difference in how much you enjoy your time inside it. Get rid of your old, uncomfortable family vehicle and swap it for a new or quality pre-owned vehicle from Johnson Bros. Ford. We’ll help you find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs, whether you’re a couple who wants to travel in style or a family in need of in-car entertainment systems.

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Tips for Saving Money on Your Gas

Posted on November 3, 2017 by admin

Whether you just picked up a new vehicle from Johnson Bros. Ford or you are driving something that is a couple years old, it’s a good idea to change your driving habits to help save money on gas. These tips will help save gas whether you are driving something that gets excellent gas mileage or you drive something that gets in the teens and low 20s for gas mileage.

Braking

When you need to brake, brake sooner rather than later. If a light is going to change, you may not have to come to a complete stop. Accelerating from any speed saves gas over accelerating from a complete stop. The same theory applies when you are in traffic. If you are far enough behind traffic and start slowing down, you may not have to come to a complete stop, depending on how slow traffic is moving.

Keeping Your Distance

If you keep your distance behind people, you’ll brake less. On the highway, keep a steady speed as much as possible. Use the cruise control where you can to maintain a steady speed. If traffic slows and it’s possible to get into another lane that is moving at least the same speed you are, switch lanes. You can move back into your original lane once you pass the slow-moving vehicles.

Use Store Cards

Some stores offer a few cents off per gallon if you use the store’s card. There is one catch to this: Interest. However, if you pay off your gas purchases each month, you won’t get charged interest on those purchases and you’ll be able to realize the savings by using the store card. If you pay your store card balance online, simply pay the amount you pumped on the same day.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

Stop by Johnson Bros. Ford today to test drive a new vehicle. And, now that you have a few tips for saving gas, look at vehicles for their safety and convenience features instead of which ones get the best gas mileage.

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The 2018 Ford F-150

Posted on October 28, 2017 by admin

The 2018 Ford F-150, now at Johnson Bros. Ford, sets a new standard for what a truck ought to be. Durable, capable, smart, and powerful, the 2018 Ford F-150 can handle any task set for it and overcome any obstacle set before it.

Durability

Possessing a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body and steel frame, the Ford F-150 is built at the same grade as vehicles in the aerospace, commercial transportation, and energy industries. Resistant to dents and corrosion and incredibly strong, the frame is actually 60 lbs. lighter than previous generations due to the state-of-the-art fabrication process of roll forming and tailor-rolled blanks.

Capability

Delivering impressive towing and payload capabilities, the 2018 Ford F-150 can handle a payload of 3,270 lbs. The F-150 also features a work-minded pickup bed with available features such as a flexible, configurable class-exclusive BoxLink system, LED box lights, stowable loading ramps, class-exclusive integrated tailgate step with lift assist, remote tailgate release, and deployable box side steps.

Smart Features

The 2018 Ford F-150 is loaded with smart features, including driver-assist technologies, like Pro Trailer Backup Assist, 360-degree camera with split-view display, Lane-Keeping system, and Blind Spot Information system.

Visit Johnson Bros. Ford

Come test drive the new 2018 Ford F-150 today at Johnson Bros. Ford in Temple, Texas. Whether you’re shopping for a new vehicle or just looking to schedule service, Johnson Bros. Ford can help.

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