How to PERFECTLY Maintain your First Car

Chris Fix discusses the qualities of an ideal first car, emphasizing safety, reliability, fuel efficiency, cargo space, options, fun driving experience, and low ownership costs. He surprises viewers by revealing the car he chose—a 2013 Ford Escape Titanium—under a cover. The video promises a guide on how to maintain the car properly, with a list of tasks including installing a dash camera, changing filters and fluids, replacing brake pads and rotors, and more. The car will eventually be donated to 'Building Homes for Heroes,' a charity helping a family in need.

The video provides a checklist for first car maintenance and proceeds with the car's tinting process. Tinting is done to protect the car's interior and passengers from the sun's heat and UV radiation. The local Tint Shop in Tom's River is acknowledged for their work, and the benefits of tinting, such as reduced heat and glare, are highlighted. The car is tinted with various levels of tint on different windows to ensure legal compliance and maximum protection.

Using a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, Chris identifies and addresses several issues with the car, including a non-functioning third brake light, license plate lights, and reverse camera. He demonstrates how to diagnose and fix these problems, emphasizing the importance of safety and reliability for new drivers. The process involves checking connections, replacing bulbs, and securing loose components.

The video outlines the process of changing the car's engine oil and filter, transmission fluid, and coolant. Chris emphasizes the importance of using the correct type of oil and the significance of regular fluid changes for the car's longevity. He also provides a step-by-step guide for each process, including safety tips and the correct procedures for draining, checking, and refilling fluids.

Chris demonstrates how to replace the car's spark plugs, battery, and air filter. He checks the condition of the old spark plugs, ensuring they are not worn out, and gaps are correct before installing new ones. The battery is tested and replaced with a lithium battery that is lighter and has a built-in jump starter feature. The air filter is also replaced to improve the car's engine performance and fuel efficiency.

The video continues with other maintenance tasks including checking the turbo for the EcoBoost engine, which is known to have wastegate issues. Chris inspects the turbocharger and, upon hearing a concerning noise, decides it needs replacement. He emphasizes the importance of this task to prevent future costly repairs for the new owners.

After cleaning the air filter box, Chris installs a new turbocharger to replace the worn-out one. He details the process of removing the old turbo and installing the new one correctly, ensuring there is no play in the wastegate. The new turbocharger is expected to prevent under boost codes and improve the engine's performance.

Chris cleans the radiator by removing debris that was obstructing airflow, which was causing the car to run warmer than normal. He also replaces the old cracked fog light lenses with new ones to improve visibility and safety. The video highlights the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance for optimal vehicle performance.

The video covers a complete brake job, including replacing brake rotors, pads, and flushing the brake fluid. Chris explains the importance of each step for safety and performance. He also checks the tire pressure and tread depth, emphasizing the need for regular tire maintenance and the use of a spare tire.

Chris shows how to check for car recalls online using the VIN and takes the car to a dealership to have the open recalls fixed for free. The recalls addressed were related to the door latch and shifter bushing, which could affect the car's safety. He stresses the importance of addressing recalls to ensure the vehicle's safety.

With all maintenance completed, Chris prepares the car for transport to Florida. He mentions additional cleaning upon arrival and the inclusion of a toolkit for the new owners. The video concludes with the car being loaded onto a trailer, ready for its journey to surprise a family in need.

The family is surprised with their new car, and Chris explains all the work that went into preparing it for them. After the surprise, additional donations are announced from Peak, the company that makes antifreeze, and from Chris himself, all of which will go to 'Building Homes for Heroes.' The video ends with a call to action for viewers to donate to the charity if they can.