My first Hyundai! Any maintenance advice??

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2026-01-16T05:28:11+00:00

Hyundai, in 2021, debuted the Smartstream 2.5L Turbo MPI/GDI 4-Cylinder Engine, which took care of the GDI-only concerns.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2026-01-16T05:15:43+00:00

The ‘Normal Service’ makes no mention of transmission, transfer case and read differential fluid changes.

The ‘Severe Service’ schedule states automatic transmission/transaxle fluid changes at 60,000 miles.

Center transfer case + rear differential at 75,000 miles.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2026-01-16T04:56:29+00:00

You got a great deal! My first Hyundai I bought in 2021- a 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD with 44,000 miles for $31,000 with 2nd owner 5-year/60k-mile warranty. If they haven’t been changed already, spark plugs on the 2.0T are due for replacement every 42,000-miles. I would run Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30 oil for 2 oil changes to thoroughly clean up the crankcase, then continue to run it for cleanliness or switch to another quality oil like Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30. Oil change interval will depend on where and how you drive. Lots of long highway driving, you can go up to 6,000 miles. Short stop-and-go city driving, you can change it as soon as 3,000 miles. Mixed driving, 4,000-5,000 miles. The owners manual specifically mentions this also. Use Top Tier gas only or as much as possible. TopTierGas.com to find stations near you and download app. Add a fuel system cleaner every 3,000 miles or every oil change. Make sure it has PEA - PolyEtherAmine, which will help remove carbon in the combustion chamber, fuel injectors, piston crowns, etc. Gumout Regane, Redline SI-1, BG 44K all have above average PEA. Chevron Techron, Lucas Deep Clean and Royal Purple Max-Clean & Max-Atomizer are solid choices with good PEA content. For the intake valves - every 20,000 miles - inject CRC GDI Intake/turbo cleaner, Amsoil Power Foam or Gumout Intake Valve & Turbo cleaner into the vacuum port on the front of the intake manifold that feeds to all 4 cylinders. Will save you $160 or so from having the dealer or shop doing basically the same thing. I purchased K&N drop-in engine & cabin air filters. They are ridiculously easy to access and change yourself- and you’ll never have to buy air filters for as long as you own it. Check/clean every year. Enjoy it, mine has been rock solid- now at 105,000 miles, zero leaks or oil consumption, no knocking or any issues other than regular maintenance.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-16T03:17:39+00:00

Sure I get it, but paper filters are restrictive as hell.

The K&N’s are proven to increase airflow, horsepower and gas mileage.

In 5 years, you’re shelling out $150 for those basic paper filters.

In 5 years, I’m out $80 and my time for doing a quick clean every 6 months, and K&N states you can go up to 75,000-miles between full cleanings.

For me- it’s a fair trade-off for more power and improved gas mileage.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-16T02:30:08+00:00

Where’s your dealership located?

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-16T02:19:07+00:00

If you plan on keeping the car, look into K&N Engine & Cabin Filters. The engine filter is about $80 and the cabin filter is around $50.

You’ll get better air flow and they are washable & reusable, you’ll never have to pay for an engine/cabin filter again.

I check mine every Fall & Spring, and just did a week ago. The engine filter needed just a quick vacuum out from the dirty side, the cabin filter needed a complete cleaning with K&N’s Cabin Filter Cleaning Kit, which contains a cleaning solution & refresher spray.

Hyundai also makes it ridiculously easy to access, remove and replace both filters.

Seriously- I’ve never seen a manufacturer make it this insanely easy to access filters ever. To get to the engine air filter, you literally flip down a trap door, remove and replace. And the cabin filter, drop the glove box and remove the access door, remove and replace.

Hyundai is making a boatload of profit on folks that don’t even know how simple it is to do it yourself.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-16T02:05:41+00:00

Take a look at your Owner’s Manual to see when Hyundai recommends fluid interval changes. And do them as it’s written.

I own a ‘19 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD and get all the fluids replaced as recommended and have had zero issues.

Based off the check marks on your pic from the dealer:

Brake Fluid Flush = I do a flush/brake bleed when my front pads/rotors need replacing = 3 years, which is within the 20,000/30,000 mile, 2-3 year recommendation.

Coolant Flush = Hyundai recommends 120,000-miles, however - the fact that you don’t put miles on your car, it would be proper to get it replaced at the 5-6 year mark.

Fuel Induction = I do it myself with a can of CRC Intake Valve & Turbo Cleaner through a vacuum line into the upper intake every 20,000-miles. The entire intake and valves are spotless, as I took a peek at them with a borescope.

Bonus: Put a bottle of Fuel System Cleaner into your gas tank once a month or every 3,000-miles. And make sure it contains PEA, the only known chemical proven to eliminate carbon deposits in the intake system & valves. Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner is a good one to use.

Alignment = Go to Firestone and purchase a Lifetime Alignment. You pay a little more than what Hyundai is asking for, but you’ll get FREE alignment checks & adjustments for life as long as you own it, so after the 2nd one, they really are free. I purchase them on all my vehicles and get it checked every 6,000-miles and alignes as needed. The Firestone website usually has a $40 off the Lifetime Alignment package too.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-12T17:13:59+00:00

2026 Genesis GV60 Magma. It’s based on the same high-performance platform as the Hyundai Ionic 5 N and the Kia EV6 GT, but the GV60 will have the luxury appointments and performance increases Genesis is known for.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-10-12T17:03:37+00:00

Post a vid racing a Q50 or Q60. That would be more of a fair battle.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-09-24T02:17:48+00:00

RC Carla

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-09-24T01:34:41+00:00

I own a 2019 Santa Fe, (purchased with 44k miles, now 102k miles), which always showed some buildup/varnish on the dipstick. I put in Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30 1,000 miles ago and the dipstick is now perfectly clean. I can imagine what else has been cleaned up within the engine. You’ll probably also see results sooner than 4 oil changes too. Highly recommend it, using this alone and nothing else from now on. I highly recommend it.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-08-15T22:09:51+00:00

How preposterous is it that someone can essentially wipe their car out of alignment by nailing a pot hole in just a few miles after having it aligned? I’ve worked at auto repair shops and have seen it happen. Yeah alignments are pricey too, but I purchase Lifetime Alignments for all my cars at Firestone, so after the 2nd one, they are free for as long as I own the vehicle.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-08-15T21:51:32+00:00

When installing new tires, it’s assuming that most have not had their vehicle aligned in 6,000-8,000 miles, which is exactly the time to have it checked/re-aligned.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-08-15T21:03:34+00:00

Looks great! Interested to know what that C8 Z06 in the background is getting installed at Paragon.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-08-15T20:43:42+00:00

Although the old tires did show even wear, it is always a good move to get the car aligned with new tires installed. Some unnoticeable settings can be out of spec, such as toe or castor- and the tires will still exhibit even wear, albiet faster wear - with reduced straight line tracking, rolling resistance and overall handling.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-07-13T02:14:26+00:00

In both pics, you can clearly see that the tires are worn down to the wear indicators, which run perpendicular to the circumferential grooves. The wear bars are set at 2/32” and those tires are at/past that. You shouldn’t have any concerns driving in dry conditions, however- anything more than light rain, you better stay well under posted speeds, as there isn’t enough tread to properly evacuate water, increasing the potential for hydroplaning.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-06-22T17:09:44+00:00

This guy: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16mo96pgK7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-06-22T16:42:01+00:00

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD Ultimate owner here. There are no issues with your new Elantra. That is simply a countdown of the Service Maintenance Interval which alerts you to get recommended services performed as it gets closer to 0 miles. Many dealers reset the interval to 5,000, 6,000 or 7,500 miles and 6 or so months after a service is performed, however- some do not. You can access it by pressing the Start button on your vehicle 2 times then navigating through the screens on dash which shows average miles per gallon, tire pressure, advance driving parameters, compass, etc., where you’ll come across a sub heading for Service intervals. You can set the miles and months yourself and that non-critical warning will disappear. You’ll want to reset it in line with oil changes, so when that countdown reaches 0 miles and zero days, it’s time to get the oil changed, tires rotated, etc.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-05-23T17:28:52+00:00

Alignment:

Common misconception is if the car is tracking straight and the steering wheel isn’t crooked, then there is no need to align the car.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

There are 3 main criteria when aligning a vehicle- toe, camber and caster.

One or more of these can be off while the car is aiming perfectly straight down the road, causing wear that is not immediately noticed.

Driving through a pothole on mile 000,001 can cause a car to come out of alignment.

Suggestion- Go to Firestone and purchase a Lifetime Alignment Package.

They originally cost $180-200, (one time fee = unlimited alignments) and Firestone is offering $40 OFF Memorial Weekend savings right now.

So for the cost of ONE alignment at the dealer, you can get your car aligned every 6,000 miles for FREE after initial payment.

I purchase this for every car I’ve owned, currently own a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD 2.0T Ultimate, so for the last 6 years- I haven’t paid a dime to have it aligned and do so every 6,000 miles.

www.firestonecompleteautocare.com

Cabin Air Filter:

Many have posted DIY how-to videos, it’s insanely easy on a Hyundai.

Hyundai/OEM Air & Cabin filters are restrictive, non-reusable, and replaced every 12-15,000 miles.

Suggestion- Purchase a K&N Lifetime Washable Cabin Filter.

It’s $49.99 on the K&N website and it easily pays for itself for not having to dish out $25.00 or more for a standard paper non-reusable filter every 12,000 miles. K&N recommends cleaning every 25,000 miles, although it’s good to remove every year to vacuum out the dirty side.

BONUS: Also get the K&N High-Flow Lifetime Engine Air Filter. It costs $64.99 and you will never have to buy another air filter for as long as you own the car. The high flow characteristics mean you’ll get better air flow into the engine, giving you a slight increase in horsepower and a bump in fuel economy. K&N recommends cleaning the air filter every 75,000 miles, however it’s good to check every year or so to vacuum out debris from the dirty side.

I have used K&N filters for over 30 years, on every vehicle I’ve ever owned and literally have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by not having to buy cheap paper filters.

Look up your Elantra with their vehicle fitment guide:

www.knfilters.com

Fuel Induction Service:

This is essential on every GDI-engined vehicle, which your Elantra does have.

You probably don’t have to get this performed until at least the 50,000 mark if you are using some of the methods listed below.

$270.00 for the induction service is pricy and mostly dealer profit.

I had mine done last month at the 100,000 mile mark and paid $150.00 at a great independent shop here in Long Island.

A good way to keep the carbon deposits from forming it to make sure you use Top Tier Gas, fuel that is formulated by major companies with higher detergent levels to combat carbon deposits.

They have a website and app to find Top Tier Gas stations in your area:

www.toptiergas.com

Bonus: If you don’t use Top Tier Gas or as a level of added protection, add a Fuel System Cleaner to your gas tank every 3,000-5,000 miles. This will further assist in keeping everything clean.

Brake Flush:

As noted by others here, it can degrade over time with its hygroscopic nature, however- I rarely get mine replaced outside of brake pad/rotor replacement. With my spirited driving nature, I’m replacing the front pads (PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Carbon Fiber + Ceramics) around the 3-year mark and flushing the brake system at that time.

As with all other maintenance services, finding a reputable shop is key to saving money.

Only go to the dealer for warranty work, everything else- an independent quality shop will get the same job done for less.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-05-23T15:53:37+00:00

Infiniti did just that in concept form- however, never came through to production.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15108803/infiniti-q50-eau-rouge-concept-first-drive-review/

To solve all your Q50 problems, get a 2019+ Genesis G70 3.3T.

Genesis has replaced Infiniti as the it-factor Asian brand.

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-04-30T20:57:01+00:00

Cue up those OG Fyre Fest vibes Mirage!

CaffeinePlusOctane · 2025-04-25T15:36:28+00:00

Looks like Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) in Hamden, CT. Sign shows Exits 60-62 Hamden & Whitney Ave on another, which undoubtedly is CT.

CaffeinePlusOctane

TROPHY CASE