Hyundai Sonata 2005 and earlier

jrock65

Some interior photos of the 2005 Sonata:

http://www.wforum.com/waf/posts/38821.shtml

ray_h71

Admittedly anal about the break-in period, I adherred to the 55 mph, tops, recommendation as much as possible. (Amazingly, I'm apparently not the only Sonata owner who bothered to read page 3 of the owner's manual...) I figure if Hyundai is willing to warrant the powertrain to 100,000 miles or 10 years duration, I should be willing to start my car's engine off right. I went one step further than Hyundai recommended. I've always been a stickler for draining the factory-fill oil out quickly since the majority of break-in occurs within the first 1,000 miles and there's always leftover casting crud (metal flash and core sand) in the internal passages no matter how thoroughly the factory tries to flush it prior to engine assembly. (The oil filter's supposed to catch and hold this leftover slop, but...) I did my V-6 engine's first oil and filter change at 600 miles, and followed up with another by the time the clock ticked over 3,000 miles. I've maintained a 3,000 mile oil and filter change ever since. You're right about these little buggers "wanting" to haul! Like you, I found myself up to 65 or 70 mph If I wasn't careful. I doubt you did any long-term damage with that brief foray above 55 mph. My first tankfuls were disappointing - only about 24 mpg at highway speeds and 19 mpg around town. However, by the time I'd hit 3,000 miles, things had settled into 30 mpg, highway, and nearly 25 mpg in town. On one trip from my home in California to Phoenix, I topped 32 mpg. Your owner's manual suggests oil viscosity from 10W-30 through 20W-50 in many climates. The last technical service bulletin I saw on the subject on Hyundai's "WebTech" site stated the current service recommendation to dealers is now 5W-30 or 10W-30 in most areas year 'round, so I go with 10W-30 where I live. That "WebTech" recommendation is consistent with other manufacturers' U.S. recommendations, too. Use your favorite flavor as long as it's at least rated API "SL" and ILSAC "GF-3". In case you're wondering, I use either Chevron Supreme or Havoline conventional motor oil. (Now that Chevron owns the rights to the "Havoline" name, they're the same product except for the labeling.)

icwine

Thanks for the photos of the 2005 sonota. I guess they changed the interior a bit. Looks like a navigation center included?

dani24

ray_h71, thanks for your recommendations! Not being much of a car junkie, I'm limited on knowledge of these things. But, what I do know is that I want to treat this car right so it doesn't break down a lot in the future.

Fortunately, my brother is a mechanic, my grandfather used to be one, and both of my parents know a lot about cars. But, I figured it would be good to get some break-in tips directly from someone who owns a Hyundai, so I can hear what worked and what didn't.

If anyone else has any suggestions, I'd still be happy to hear them.

lngtonge18

Those interior photos are of the all new Sonata, with Korean specs. Navigation systems are common on Korean models, but I doubt Hyundai will offer that here, in the interest of keeping the Sonata a cheaper alternative to the Accord/Camry. There appears to be some debate over when the new Sonata will debut. I had read on a Hyundai website that the new Sonata wouldn't be released until the American factory was up and running and they called it a 2006 model. That may have changed if the factory is taking longer to get ready. Since it has been common practice for Hyundai to release a model in Korea at least 6 months prior to the American release, I wouldn't expect to see the new Sonata until February of next year. At that point, they can call it an 05 or an 06 model. Either way, the new Sonata is still a little bit away. I'm sure it will be much improved but whether it is worth waiting on depends on whether you are willing to handle any first year bugs (which in Hyundais case hasn't been bad at all).

jrock65

Navi will probably be available as an option, as it seems to be an option in every car in this class now.

jrock65

http://www.jdpower.com/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2004037

anonymousposts

The interior shown in the photos above looks to be a step down design-wise vs. the current Sonata. Hopefully that is not the direction that Hyundai goes.

backy

Did you notice the Sonata was ranked #1 in initial quality in its class?

uga91

I was coming here to point out the same thing. How about the fact that Hyundai outscored Toyota (102 problems to 104)?

lngtonge18

I wouldn't hold your breath on the navigation. Hyundai doesn't offer it on the more expensive luxury oriented XG350, nor on the recently introduced Kia Amanti (based on the XG). I would expect to see it on those cars first, before seeing it on the Sonata.

uga91

I think Hyundai is still a little too "value" oriented to go with such a luxury any time soon. I, however, have never understood the allure of a nav system. I guess it's a status symbol item for many people.

alpha01

Simply because you do not understand the "allure" does not mean that it isnt more than just a "status symbol".

~alpha

anonymousposts

I can definitely see the benefit of a NAV system if you are a real estate agent, outside sales person, etc.

uga91

If you are a territorial salesman, then maybe you could benefit from a NAV system. A rental car can benefit from a NAV system. The average person driving the town they have lived in for years has absolutely no need for a NAV system. Are you afraid you may forget your way to work one day? Looking for a short cut to the corner market? A real estate agent should know their area so well that they will be more efficient than the NAV system. I think it's one of those toys that many people like to have, but very few people need. Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

jrock65

Navi, like many things in cars these days, is just a nice extra. Do we really need a V6 for $2000 more? A moonroof for $1000? Leather for $1000?

anonymousposts

well even if you only travel local interstates the NAV could come in handy if you are stuck in a major traffic jam and want an alternate route. Or say you are on your annual vacation and have a medical emergency and need to get to the nearest hospital .... There are several scenarios where NAV could come in handy.

ray_h71

Like "On Star" or similar services, NAV systems are just one more pricey "Must Have/In Thing" to break and expensive to fix for the more-dollars-than-sense indulgent types. But, for those who're convinced that they can't survive without 'em, go for it.

anonymousposts

At one point in time power options, sunroofs, CD players and even AC were considered luxury items. Now that most cars come standard with most of the above manufacturers do need to come up with more perceived luxury features.

yoonny

The new Sonata will be released later this year in Korea and probably reach American shores next summer. They say it is similar looking to the Accord. The location of Navigation system indicates that this will be a integral part of the new Sonata and may even offer this option to US buyers.

http://image.yalge.com/newcar/yahoo/al_img/kr_newcar/109_P03.jpg
http://image.yalge.com/newcar/yahoo/al_img/kr_newcar/109_P02.jpg

csandste

(not seen here) much better than the Accord which looks like it's mother was raped by a Buick Skylark. Can't make my mind up about the interior.

jrock65

2005 Sonata rumor:

4-cylinder: 160hp
6-cylinder: 227hp

If true, that makes it a bit more competitive with AlCamCord6 in the power department.

jk27

2002 Hyundai Sonata owner here. Did anybody else just get a letter from Hyundai about the settlement for overstating horsepower? I had already selected an extension to the warranty. Now it looks like they are going to send me either a check for $100 or a gift certificate to be used at a Hyundai dealer for $135. It's my understanding that this is in addition to the warranty extension. Anybody else get this? Thanks.

riez

Read over your material carefully. Part 2 applies differently to people who accepted Pt 1. The full amounts at Pt 2 are only for those who didn't accept Pt 1.

For example, I'm in Class C--1999-2001 Sonata V6. I accepted Pt 1 (extending the b-to-b warranty to 6 yr/72k). All I'm eligible for, if I accept (which I did, having mailed it back in yesterday), is a $35 debit card.

So read over the entire material carefully. Did you save all the Pt 1 settlement material? I did. Hyundai issued me a new warranty card.

chromeman

I have a 2000 Sonata GLS and the AC went out. The dealership says the condensor was hit by something on the road so it is not under warrenty. Is the condensor located in such a place where it is venerable to this?
Most of my driving is on Interstates and I certainly don't recall running over anything that would have caused this. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks

lngtonge18

The condenser sits in front of the radiator at the very front of the car. Any flying object can puncture it. This happened to my friend's 04 Mitsu Endeavor while traveling on the highway after only 2k miles. A short copper wire hit at just the right angle to puncture the radiator and condenser, causing over $1k in damages that are not covered by warranty.

rexd

Hi, I am a new owner of a 2004 Sonata. After extensive researching and test driving, I finally ended up purchasing a base v-6. I test drove 2 GLS's and then the base model and ended up buying the base v-6 for a few reasons. The main reason was that even though the leg room specs are the same for the gls and base, I found that the base model game me significantly more room than the GLS. I am 6'6" so leg room is important to me and I was surprised to find more with the base model. Has anyone else noticed this or was I lucky enough to find a fluke? My other decisions to go with the base is that I had no desire for a moon roof, I think that the car looks classier without the chrome on the side, and believe it or not, aside from not needing a cassette player, I found that the stereo system sounded muddier in the GLS. Anyway, I am extremely happy with my purchase and hope to be driving my Sonata for many years to come.

pakoffee

Here is the deal. I have a 2001 Sonata GLS with the V6. The blower on the A/C unit works fine but even when the temperature control is cranked down (it is a knob) to the lowest temp, the air is at best not warm. Last year at this time, the A/C was so cold, you felt like wearing jeans on a 100 degree day. When you rotate the temp knob to the high side, it springs back from the heat only area to the end of the mix zone. I already took it in and was told that the compressor was fine (55 degrees & invoice says that the care operates within the specifications for this unit). I think the temp knob maybe part of the issue but I want to make sure before I take it in again. What could be affecting the airflow temp at the dash but be OK right at the compressor? Any ideas?

lngtonge18

You have a problem with the temp control knob. These are normally controlled by cables. If the cable stretches or gets caught up on something, it won't close the heater valve fully, thus causing some water to enter the heater core and turning the heater partially on. This would explain why the compressor is fine but the air coming out of the vent is warm. On cars that are electronically controlled, there is an air-mix motor that could be malfunctioning and not closing the flaps properly or the flaps could just be stuck open. Either way, your entire problem has to do with the temp control knob and whatever it is attached to. Since you mentioned the knob springing back, this indicates a cable problem.

nissan240sx

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/Resiz- - e_of_DSCN3232_1.jpg

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/data/special- 1084604755_2.jpg

bikerpa

that grill looks just like a slightly widened version of my '04 Elantra GT... I dig. Wish I could make out more of the headlights & how they work against the front end.

ray_h71

chromeman, check your auto insurance policy or call your agent. If you have "comprehensive" coverage, that may cover the road hazard damage to your condensor minus your stipulated deductible. If you haven't had any chargeable points from at-fault accidents or moving violations in the last three years, filing a claim won't increase your rates.

ray_h71

Intonge18, you wrote in response to pakoffee's A/C problem: "You have a problem with the temp control knob." Not necessarily. Automatic climate control is standard on Sonata LX and optional on GLS models. A slotted "grill" in the user control section (immediately to the right of the two temperature control buttons) on the console pulls cabin air through plastic tubing to temperature sensors mounted to the left of the steering wheel inside the dash to allow the control logic circuits to sample cabin air temperature for monitoring and adjusting cabin temperature automatically. This tubing is around 6' in length and makes one comparatively sharp bend near the user control section. Over time, kinking is a known issue in these systems, thereby shutting off the sensors' access to cabin air flow. To check for the possibility of a kink in the tubing, place a small section of toilet paper over the grill. It should stick from vacuum as air is drawn through the grill when the HVAC system is operating. However, if the toilet paper section falls away immediately, that's evidence of the suspected line kink preventing a vacuum draw. Hyundai's TSB on this subject directs service personnel to replace the entire length of tubing, but it seems to me that threading a short length of suitable diameter coil spring stock through the kinked section to open it up (and, once positioned to relieve the kink, leave it in place permanently) would solve the problem without the hassle of replacing the entire 6' length of tubing.

Hyundai designed both the Sonata's manual and automatic climate control HVAC systems to be as interchangeable as possible for assembly line ease. To that end, even the manual system on these vehicles have electrically operated controls for temperature and ventilation source selection. The temperature selection knob is attached to a rheostat. No mechanical cables to bind. (If the car's parked in a quiet location, and with the ignition switch "On", but the engine not running, you can hear the muffled sound of an electric motor whirring to vary the position of the hot water temperature valve when you rotate the control knob back and forth.) If pakoffee's A/C system is manual, his system may have a fault with the rheostat or the motor driven control valve. The control valve would proabably have to be replaced if the fault is the latter, and the user control assembly in the console if the former assuming it was only desinged to be serviced as a complete unit. In either case, the bumper-to-bumper 5 yr./60,000 mile warranty would probably cover the part(s) and labor.

lngtonge18

If you reread my message, I said he has a problem with whatever the temp control knob is attached to. I mentioned a malfunctioning motor if it is not cable operated. The Sonata received a redesigned console for 02 and he has an 01 model so I'm not completely sure whether the old one has a cable operated design (my hunch tells me it does since he said the knob pops back to the halfway mark which a rheostat knob would not be able to do).

ilit

I've bought a 2004 Sonota, GLS package and just noticed that there isn't the "GLS" logo on the back of the car. Is this deleted from 2004 model or mine is missing? I saw some with the logo, may be the earlier year!

Thank you

dani24

It's probably an earlier year. I just bought a new 2004 Sonata GLS too, and I'm pretty sure that it does not have the "GLS" emblem on it.

nissan240sx

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/3604_- - nf3.jpg

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/3607_- nf21.jpg

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/3608_- nf41.jpg

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/nf5.j- pg

uga91

I like the wheels and I hope the side indicator light stays as well.

alpha01

The front end strikes me as very Subaru like, and thought the alloys are fairly generic in design, they are VERY sharp. I hope this model will compete with the best in class, taking the Sonata from value conscious alternative to any-price alternative to the CamCordTimas.

~alpha

bikerpa

That's my biggest gripe, actually - the grille seems distinctive enough to me, but the rest of the car is trying to decide whether it's a Camry, a Jetta, or an Altima. It's not bland, it's just not particularly distinctive either; it squooshes together lines and cues from more established cars, apparently in hope of pulling current owners away. Perhaps a good business strategy, but uninspiring.

danf1

Hyundai did start removing logos from their cars about nine months ago as far as I can remember. not just sonatas, but elantras and santa fe's too.

nissan240sx

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/10823- - - - 71687a1234534.jpg

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/12344- - - 62457456.jpg

http://www.autobild.de/aktuell/neuheiten/artikel.php?artikel_id=5- - - 944&A_SESS=f8fae09d8ed3af2b3c02c9cc5546af0a

http://kr.img.blog.yahoo.com/ybi/1/14/e9/skyline_gtrv/folder/8269- - 29/img_826929_394716_0?20040513000614.jpg

ray_h71

Well, the current Tibs and Santa Fes aren't "me-too" styles. Hopefully, Hyundai'll get a clue that their California-based styling studio is on their side and give them more leeway for the rest of the lines. What I've seen of the upcoming generation Sonatas has left me cold, but these are semi-disguised test mules, so maybe what's put into production will allay our concerns. If not, Sonata sales could tank just as the quality issue seems to have been resolved and people are again thinking "Hyundai" as a viable midsize option.

chuck1

Let's see- it looks like the headlights from the previous generation Camry, and the rear looks like a modified Honda tail lamp. I said this once before, "Hey I am a Korean Fan-the quality is now there, and so is the price, but c'mon can't we have some styling that doesn't mimic the others?" Lot at the new Kia Amanti, nothing original there.

bikerpa

those foglights look like a step backwards. Just when Hyundai has a unified design thing going on - the small jewel-like fogs on the '04 Elantra GT, Tiburon, Sonata, and XG350 - they go back to what the '01-04 Elantra GT fogs looked like. I'm a bit confused.

I'd prefer a bit of unified, distinctly "Hyundai" bits to the line, much like those fogs, similar to what Nissan has done between the Altima and new Maxima. I've got an '04 Elantra GT, and am quite pleased with the styling - it looks like nothing else on the road, aside from vague saab references with audi-esque lines. Would that they could do something like that to the Sonata...

jchagtdi

Let's see,

The tail lights and trunk seem to have be lifted right off a new Accord sedan. The silhouette is distinctly Passat, and the headlight/front grill/nose smells like a cross between a Saab 9-5 and a new Subaru Legacy. The interior is a (poor)BMW 7-series knock-off.
The dash mounted screen may not necessarily be for a NAVI. Cars like the Amanti (sp), Maxima, and Murano have a similar looking screen that is used to display climate control, radio/CD, and trip computer data. The Nissan cars have the NAVI option, so perhaps the Sonata will offer the NAVI at a later date. If NA gets cars like in these photos, it will most likely be like the info screen on the Amanti.

I personally like the look of the new Sonata, derivative styling notwithstanding. Hyundai has never had a reputation for ground-breaking styling. What they do is offer are desirable cars at a price point below their peers.

sensation2004

Current engines
Hyundai made
2.0L CVVT and 2.7 Delta engine
2.4L, 3.0L and 3.5L Mitsubish engine
New Hyundai engines
2.0L and 2.4L CETA engine with valve timing
3.0L, 3.3L and 3.8L with valve timing
these engine are lighter and faster.
the new kia conept pick up with V6 3.8L
check it out
http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/04february/kia_moj- ave.asp

ray h

No current plans to produce, eh? Believe that if you want to - I don't. That thing appears to be fully engineered and ready for immediate production. Where ever did that gushing copywriter come up with the notion that the Mojave would have to be produced in the U.S.?

nissan240sx

http://autospy.intizen.com/autospy/bbs/table/spyshot/upload/vw_so- nataqq.jpg

a_l_hubcaps

Heh, the upside-down VW emblem is kind of funny. This looks like a nice car though (as does the current Sonata). Hopefully Hyundai will keep it in the same bargain price range though.

By the way, with regards to the Kia Mojave and imported pickups in general, the reason they must be produced in the US is that there is a 25% tariff on imported pickup trucks (Google the term "chicken tax" if you want more info).

-Andrew L