Hyundai Elantra Maintenance and Repair

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  • chocolate194chocolate194 Member Posts: 1
    Hey, this is my first time ever having to repair anything on my car. The only changes I have had to make on my 2002 is tires & brakes. Now I too think my thermostat has went out. Can you tell me how you replaced it? This is my second Elantra, had no problems with my first one. I couldnt be happier with Hyundai, have said my next vehicle is going to be the Santa Fe. Please help if you can!!!
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    The first thing to do is to go to Hyundai WebTech and get a logon ID (if the email with your password doesn't come, go back and click on the Forgot Password link; I had to do that).

    They have instructions for removal and installation of the thermostat there. It's very simple, really, but the pictures help a lot. Once you get your logon, Click on Service Information (in the upper left under the Hyundai logo), enter your car's details in the pull-down menus, select the SHOP tab and go to Engine Mechanical System > Cooling System > Removal (and follow similar links to ...> Installation).

    Everything you need should be there.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    BTW, kudos to Hyundai for putting the service manuals and parts diagrams online for free for everyone. That is a really nice touch and something all the car makers should do.

    Dennis
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    That was a large influence in terms of breaking the tie when I was car shopping. I ended up buying Hyundai because of their online resources and the online support of several forums like this one.
  • readonlyreadonly Member Posts: 25
    I have a 2005 Hyundai elantra GLS, which has about 7000miles now. This friday I had this car serviced in the local Hyundai dealership, just having the engine oil changed and tyres rotated. This morning on the way to the school, I smell some smoking. At first I didn't realize
    it was from my car. After I drived another half a mile and entered the parking lot. I saw some smoking from my hood, and the checking engine light(low engine oil) turned on. Immediately I stoped the car,turned it off and opend the hood, there was a lot smell and smoke from the hood. On the ground below the car, there was also a lot of black and thick liquid dropped from the car. I checked the engine oil level, almost no oil left. Definitely the mechanic of the local Hyundai dealer service department messed up somewhere during the oil change. I have just had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealer. Any suggestion or comments , what I should do tomorrow
    in the hyundai dealer. I am very worried of the engine because of the low engine oil level and not sure if there is any other damage for the car because of the smoking and other things. I greatly appreciate your suggestions and comments.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    This should clearly be covered by the dealer... not so much under the new car warranty, but under their insurance they carry for screwups by their own people (which this is a clear case of). It is their responsibility to ensure they have properly done their work; if they don't, they are liable for any damages that their actions or neglect cause.
  • 5port5port Member Posts: 395
    This happened to a fellow employee at work. Hyundai replaced his engine and the drivetrain warranty was reset to 0 miles on that date. Hyundai is responsible.
  • spmrebelspmrebel Member Posts: 130
    5port and llamania,

    This is good info. I have always done my own oil and lubes and have used Purolator 14459 oil filters on my 05 Elantra GT. They do have the oil pressure regulator. In fact, they look near identical to the Hyundai oil filter. Anyway, I have been hearing a crackling noise during light to moderate acceleration - especially uphill. I always attributed this to slight engine pinging. Anyway, I will change to the Hyundai oil filter when I do my oil change today and let you know if it cures the crackling noise.

    Happy Motoring
  • readonlyreadonly Member Posts: 25
    Today I went to that Hyundai Dealership and was told that the problem was fixed. It was because of the defective components(oil filter??). In the repair form, there was "gasket leaking". What they did is replacing the oil filter, fixing the gasket leaking and doing a multi-point inspection. They claimed that now the car seems to be OK after they tested and drive it. Frankly speaking, I am not satisfied with the solution. I don't know if there has been some damage in the engine and other electrical components because of the burning and smoking. I don't trust the reliability of the car now. Should I insist getting a new engine???
    Tomorrow I will drive to this dealership to talk with one of their director. Any comments?
    Thanks a lot,
  • jsrule15jsrule15 Member Posts: 1
    Hey..hoping someone might have an answer to this question before i get it checked out:

    when i first started my car, went in reverse everythings fine. go to shift in first gear, there's no pickup for 10-12 sec...finally kicks in full power (assuming its not the clutch going)..go to shift in 2nd same thing happens..eventually after 10 sec it picks up full power and 3rd and 4th work fine..get to a stoplight, put it in 1st, same thing happens and the "check engine light" comes on...so i pull over and keep the engine running...after 10min i decide to try and drive back home, only being a few miles away..car drives fine no problems with the clutch picking up or any repeat problems...no im not too savvy with cars, so i dont know if this might be a transmission fluid problem or something more serious...ANYBODY WHO CAN HELP I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, you definitely need to talk to their director and get a better response. A car that is "OK" doesn't have zero oil pressure and doesn't burn and smoke like yours did. It was their fault. They need to make it right. You used to have a nearly-new, perfect engine. Now you have an engine that has been abused. At the very least, they should pay for a thorough going-over of your engine, from the mechanic of your choice, to ensure no lasting damage has been done. If that assessment shows the engine has been damaged, they need to replace it with a new engine, with a new warranty. That's how I would handle it, anyway.
  • readonlyreadonly Member Posts: 25
    Thanks a lot for your reply. I did talk with their service director and one of the manager. They didn't bother of my complain and sticked with that my car is protected by my Hyundai warrenty. Frankly speaking, there is still a lot of smell inside my car. I also talked with dept. of comsumer affairs of Hyundai. It doesn't help. I will try to argue with that dealership, if no help, I might try the local small claims court. A pity I didn't take pictures for the smoking and burning under the engine hood.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Another possibility was that the burning and smell was due to oil spraying out the oil filter gasket and onto the hot engine, meaning there was no real damage to the engine. Did the work order show how much oil was added to the engine after the oil filter failure? If the sump didn't run dry, it's likely there was no damage to the engine. At a minimum, you might press them to set the mileage on the engine warranty to zero--since they have put great stake in the Hyundai warranty, and it would be a partial compensation for your time and trouble due to their mistake.
  • michael_lee76michael_lee76 Member Posts: 45
    I have 2002 Elantra GT with almost 50k miles. when it was 45k miles, I had a check engine light on my car. I brought it to the service and they told me it was defective throttle sensor. When it was about 49k, I had another check engine light. This time, they told me it was a lose gas tank cap. They tightened the cap and reset the check engine light. But I'm sure I always tighten the gas cap everytime I fill the gas. I always made sure to tighten it till I heard 3 clicks. I just can't trust them saying it was just a simple gas cap problem..

    any suggestions?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I'd say you were lucky they didn't charge you a diagnosis fee on the loose gas cap. :)

    The computer diagnostics should be able to tell the service tech where the problem is. The good news is you still have at least one year and 13k miles of warranty left, so if it wasn't the gas cap, the light should re-appear in short order and you can take it back to the dealer.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    I'm happy to report that my '01 GLS has crossed 61K miles and is still a peach. However, it is time to replace my SECOND set of tires, which is a disappointment, but no reflection on the car itself, of course. The original Michelins lasted about 33,000 miles, and my current Dunlop SP Sport A2s are at only about 28,000 miles (!!). :cry:

    So once again I am asking for recommendations from high-mileage users (over 20K) who live in the snowy parts of the country (like you Backy). I moved from Michigan and will be spending my first winter in Maine. Tire Rack's website has plenty of recommendations for the Kumho Ecstas, and my dealer is recommending a Cooper SLE Touring T-rated tire, but he can get "any" tire I might choose.

    Please post your tire experiences and recommendations. Maybe Edmunds should offer a separate tire discussion for us. :)
  • baltimorebrybaltimorebry Member Posts: 3
    I have a friend with a Civic that this happened to with the gas cap. I would not fret, she is sure she tightens hers too.
  • baltimorebrybaltimorebry Member Posts: 3
    I'm finding the same thing in my 2005 manual. Never approached the dealer about it. Car only has 2500 miles on it. It's not a problem though.
  • baltimorebrybaltimorebry Member Posts: 3
    I would definitely have the dealer check this out. It could be a clutch fluid problem, I would have them check it.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Update: my mechanic will get any tire, not my dealer.
  • kyyuenkyyuen Member Posts: 11
    Hyundai reinstalled my seat today and so far so good. The OCS sensor has been off for the last hour with my 115 lb daughter sitting on it.

    A few more days will confirm the fix.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Tires are like pencil erasers - the best ones are the softest and the least long lasting. Remember the "Pink Pearl" erasers? Did the best job but really wear out. Having a tire with maximum life usually means really hard rubber (poor wet and dry traction) or really deep tread (squirm and poor dry traction) or both. I would rather have to replace a tire more often and have better performance - the extra grip could literally mean the difference between life and death.

    That said, I buy most of my tires from TireRack online and get them mounted cheap at a local dealer. Lately I have been getting some Kumho tires for various non-performance cars and trucks and have been really pleased with the quality for the price. The also make some higher performance tires as well (the MX, for example) but the "touring" and "all season" type tires are SUPER values for the money.

    Dennis
  • 67racer67racer Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1998 Elentra wagon vin # KMHJW24M4WU099480. The transmission # is not on the trans. I would like to know the number of my automatic trans.
  • smith20smith20 Member Posts: 256
    Hyundai reinstalled my seat today and so far so good. The OCS sensor has been off for the last hour with my 115 lb daughter sitting on it.

    I'm glad to read this. I hope your passenger seat continues to function well for you!
  • aia3aia3 Member Posts: 1
    I drive an 04 GLS Sedan and my car keeps pulling to right. I took it in to have it serviced and the alignment and tire rotation worked for about 1000 miles and now its pulling to the right again. What should I do? :confuse:
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Check your tire pressures - you should do it often anyway, but check it with a quality gauge and make sure all your tires are properly inflated.

    Does it pull with the car is accelerating, slowing down, and at a constant speed? If so, then it would be in the alignment or tires. If not, then under what conditions does it pull?

    You could hit a pot hole on your way home from getting an alignment and knock it out again. Some places will sell you a "lifetime" alignment for a little more than a single alignment. If you are going to keep your car for a long time, it is well worth paying the extra money then it costs you nothing to stop in when you feel a problem.

    Dennis
  • 67racer67racer Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1998 Hyundai Elantra Wagon VIN # KMHJW24M4WU099480. It has a 4 speed automatic trans. Trans. tag and number is missing. I would like to know the number or this trans. Can anybody help????
  • kyyuenkyyuen Member Posts: 11
    It has been almost a week and the fix is still good.
  • rjeskeyrjeskey Member Posts: 29
    I knew it would happen. The first rock hit my window today on my new Elantra. Fortunately it didnt break the window but left a mark that I cant seem to take my eyes off now. Does anyone know if there is a way to get that mark off the glass or is it impossible? Can you buff it off like you do with paint? Thanks for your help!
  • smith20smith20 Member Posts: 256
    It has been almost a week and the fix is still good.

    Very nice . . . so what exactly did they do? I think you said earlier they reinstalled the seat? Did they physically remove and replace it, reprogram the software associated with the sensor, or some combination of both?
  • smith20smith20 Member Posts: 256
    I think it's repairable . . . pretty cheaply too. I think you can get a substance that fills the chip and has a similar optical density as the windshield so you don't see the chip any longer. I think it also helps prevent the chip from turning into a crack as well. Probably your local auto parts store will have a repair kit that you can purchase. I don't think it should be very expensive.
  • don1don1 Member Posts: 14
    call your insurance agent! if you have collision insurance, it shouldn't cost you anything.if it is repaired,most glass companies will come to you! good luck..... :shades:
  • darrellyoungdarrellyoung Member Posts: 1
    Does this happen after you fill up with gasoline, and then happen for about 40 miles after a fill up, then after being driven for a bit it seems OK.

    I have a problem with a 1998 Accent GL. When we fill up with Gasoline, about 5 minutes after we fill the tank and drive off, our car will stall, as if it's starved for fuel, and when we're driving the engine wants to stall, but always re-starts due to the car moving.

    Darrell
  • rjeskeyrjeskey Member Posts: 29
    Thanks! The Insurance company said they pay for the repair.
  • kyyuenkyyuen Member Posts: 11
    You will need to write to Hyundai Motor Consumer Affair Department to address the complaint and tell them the dealership address where you have your car serviced. In about 2-3 weeks, they will call you and ask you to contact the dealer for service appointment. At the meantime, they will instruct the dealer of the necessary actions.

    When I brought my car in. They removed the seat in 1/2 hour, ship it back to Hyundai Motor for reprogarmming and asked me to bring the car back when the seat was ready.

    That was it. Good luck.
  • jacques1jacques1 Member Posts: 1
    I just purchased a new 2005 Elantra VE 5-speed manual. I quite like the car, with the exception of this rather annoying problem. The RPMs actually rise when I engage the clutch to shift. I find this very abnormal and annoying because it takes the smoothness (and fun) out of a manual shift. I noticed that it doesn't do it as much when the engine is cold.
    Is this a prevalent trait of Elantras? Has anyone determined what causes the problem and what can be done to rectify the situation?
    Thanks.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    I finally purchased a set of Yokohama Avid TRZ tires today, about $340 out the door. I was wrong about my Dunlops lasting only 28,000 miles: it was closer to 26K, which is terrible.
    I'll report on the Yokohamas as time drags on.
  • crsher2002crsher2002 Member Posts: 21
    Finally wore out the garbage Micheline OEM's on my 2002 GT. Was going to put on Goodrich Traction T/A but the salesman suggested Toyo Proxes. I did some homework and found the company to be a quality manufacturer. I have approximately 1000 miles on them and they handle very nicely. I drive fairly "spiritedly" and they have very good wet and dry traction, are predictable and responsive, and do not give off much road noise. The cost was $75 per tire.
  • 1racefan1racefan Member Posts: 932
    Just curious why the salesman recommended those over the BF Goodrich Traction T/A? I have heard really good things about the Traction T/A tires - with the only complaint being that they are a little noisy over time if they aren't rotated at the appropriate levels. I have heard good things about Toyo tires too though.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Toyo makes some nice tires as does Kumho. With Kumhos for sure you get a LOT of tire for the money and they are easy to find - just go to TireRack.com .

    Dennis
  • crsher2002crsher2002 Member Posts: 21
    The T/A's are good tires, but he felt that the construction of the Toyo's - amount of belting, tread design, etc, made for a stronger tire. Toyo has apparently become a quiet giant in the tire industry and has earned alot of quality/control awards. I always thought of them as a high performance brand, but the Proxes line seems to be very well done.

    I still have to deal with the shimmy problem. Have never been able to get it to completely disappear, although it is much less than with the Micheline's.
  • 1racefan1racefan Member Posts: 932
    The reason I asked was because I just put tires on my wife's Elantra ('02 with 69K on it). It came with Michelins on it, set #2 was Uniroyals, and I just had Cooper Tires put on it last week. Like you, I was going to go with the BF Goodrich Traction T/A this round, but I had someone steer me toward a set of Cooper Tires. We have had a vibration in the steering wheel for over 30K miles now. I had the car aligned and rebalanced several times over the past couple of years, but the vibration remained.

    I have about 300 miles on the Cooper tires, and I love them. I had the car aligned once again when they put the Cooper Tires on, and now the vibration is gone. I don't know if it is due to the tires themselves, or the method they used for the alignment, but the car is really smooth and quiet now. We say it rides better than when it was new.
  • crsher2002crsher2002 Member Posts: 21
    The shimmy fix for you was probably a combination of both - tires and balancing. When the shop installed the Toyo's the shimmy was there full force. I took it back and and they rebalanced the front tires and checked the alignment. The rebalancing took care of 95% of the shimmy and the alignment was fine. I even made sure that they torqued the lug nuts by hand (Hyundai has a TSB out on this) but the shimmy still remains to a degree.
  • nihao4587nihao4587 Member Posts: 43
    Hi everyone,

    My 02 GT got new tires, Kumho Solus 716, from America Tires last week. My OEM Michelins lasted just over 34K miles, which could have been a few thousand miles longer if not for a big puncture caused a huge screw-head nail I picked up somewhere on the road.

    Overall, I am quite pleased with the new tires for the money. Although it hasn't rained yet, their dry performence is on par with OEMs, if not better.

    Although I have heard about the shimmy problems on Elantras before, I don't know it could happen to me until now. Right after I have the Kumhos, I started to feel some shaking on highway driving around 65 MPH. I thought it was a balance issue and went back to the America Tires shop, who also rotated and balanced my old Michelins, to have the front wheels rebalanced. To my surprise, it didn't cure the high speed shimmy at all.

    Now, I am a bit frustrated about it. I know someone on this board recommended the "Hunter" machine for balancing and I know a local auto shop who has it. Having been paid life-time rotation and balancing for the new tires to America Tires, I am hesitated to pay for balancing again. Even if it can fix it this time, I don't see I am going there everytime when the tires are being rotated.

    So, what should I do? Kumhos are good tires and I don't want to experiment another brand. Right now, I am planning to go to a different America Tires shop to rebalance it. If they cannot cure the 65MPH-steering-wheel-shaking, how much damage could it have done to my car if I can live with it?

    Thanks for your time and suggestions.
    Min
  • alpine1alpine1 Member Posts: 51
    The problem could be that the tank gets overfilled (may be by topping it off) which may cause some gas to get into the EVAP system which is supposed to capture vapors from tank. Try stop filling as soon as the nozzle first clicks off.
  • ems1ems1 Member Posts: 48
    I just replace the original tires @ 35,000 miles on my '02 GLS with Yokohama Avid H4s tires. I got the Hunter road force balance and a wheel alignment done. Still get a shimmy between 65-75 MPH. Not as bad as it was with the old tires but still there. There seems to be something going on with the these Elantras. I never had a car with a shimmy that would not go away with good tires and balancing.
    I'm thinking about changing the rotors. There is a lot of weight there that may be causing the shimmy. Anyway, this is really annoying and has made me have second thoughts about buying another Hyundai. I just took the car on a 600 mile trip and the shimmy is really tiring after a few hours on the road.

    I had the original tires rebalanced about 4 times thinking that would solve the problem. It didn't. New tires and balance didn't fix it.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The car is still under warranty. You should take it back to the dealer and tell them to fix the shimmy.
  • shogunmouseshogunmouse Member Posts: 1
    ... I couldnt find in the owners manual about how many miles the elantra can drive once the gas light comes on. Does anyone know an average number? :)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    It may not be many. On my '01 GLS, the low-gas light doesn't come on until there is a little over one gallon in the tank! That's after the needle has touched E for awhile. So if the light comes on, get to a gas station as soon as you can.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    On my '02 I had about 1.5 gallons left. On the '05 it is about 2.5 gallons left.

    Then there was my '67 Austin Healey. When you heard the electric fuel pump suck air, you had about 30 seconds!
    :D
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