2005 Santa Fe Accelerator

There are often trade-offs for better fuel economy -- many times higher
compression, which allows more power but exerts more force on the engine
components. Hyundai has never been known to be on the upper spectrum of
engine compression.

If you rate a design poor just because of fuel economy, then you're being
rather narrow-minded as to all the variables of powertrain design.

 

EPA fuel estimates are notoriously inaccurate and should be used only for
purposes of comparison with other vehicles.

 

not the one WHINIG about my gas mileage.

Learn the difference between an inquiry and "whining", Einstein.

No...but it sounds like your mommy dropped you on your head one time
too many.

 

EPA fuel estimates are notoriously inaccurate and should be used only for

Thanks, but I'm well aware of that, and that is precisely how I viewed
them. That's also why I didn't rely on them primarily, as indicated by
my citations of other sources of information in my previous post.

 

making friends all over I see.. hmmmmmmmmmmmm makes ya wonder dont it???

Yes...it makes me wonder how you've managed to survive this long
without any demonstrable brain activity. The quote in the post you're
replying to was from YOU in another thread. Are you on some sort of
medication?

 

If you rate a design poor just because of fuel economy, then you're being

20 years ago you might have been right, but today there's precious
little excuse for sub-17 mpg efficiency - given primarily steady
highway driving - in a vehicle as relatively small and light as the
Santa Fe. As already indicated, my 10 year-old, much heavier Explorer
(with performance that easily equals the SF's) was not only giving me
better gas mileage, it did so for over 154,000 trouble-free miles, and
with minimal maintenance on my part. What advantages above that should
I expect from the SF as my "trade-off" for the reduced mileage? I'm
not being confrontational about this (I prefer to leave the mindlessly
obnoxious behavior to Pete and his ilk). I'm genuinely looking for
answers.

 

I must apologize to all respondants to this part of my inquiry, and
offer a modification to my observations. This morning I made a point
of paying extra attention to the issue and noted that, while there is
indeed a little extra mechanical resistance, the sudden acceleration
didn't correlate as closely with the "breaking" of the pedel as I
previously perceived. There is actually a very tiny delay between that
event and the sudden acceleration, leading me to suspect the
electronics as the culprit. Does that sound more reasonable? If so,
is it something easily addressed by the dealer?

 

notice how you left the other persons message out..;-)

 

notice how you left the other persons message out..;-)

I notice how you gloss over the fact that your previous response was
brain-dead. In any event, the "other person's" message was
non-inflammatory, so its content was not relevant with regard to the
asinine tone of your response.

 

I'm curious, why didn't you buy another Explorer or an Escape if you
wanted something smaller?

Matt

 

I have a similar problem with my 06 Sonata. The dealer told me that the
electronics can't be adjusted. Mine is clearly an electronics problem,
not a sticking problem. The throttle is very touchy and has a slight
delay in actuation. Makes driving standard shift a bear.

I should have taken a longer test drive. I assumed my trouble was
simply lack of familiarity with the car since I typically drive a
full-size Chevy pickup with standard shift. However, now that I've
owned the Sonata for two months, I know it isn't a familiarity issue.
It is a design issue with the electronic throttle. I've gotten better
with it, but I still can't make consistent smooth starts without either
over or under reving the engine.

If I'd known this was characteristic of the vehicle, I would not have
bought it, or at least wouldn't have bought the standard shift model.


Matt

 

I'm curious, why didn't you buy another Explorer or an Escape if you

Primarily because of the Santa Fe's superior value and warranty. I no
longer needed anything quite as large as the Explorer, and was willing
to trade size for improved gasoline milage, lower price, etc. The
Escape, though a nice vehicle, simply couldn't compete in terms of bang
for the buck.

 

Yes, I think that unfortunately, we lose something with the lower price
of the Hyundais. I nearly bought a Toyota and sometimes now regret that
I didn't. The money I saved on the Sonata will buy a lot of gas to be
sure, but it won't fix this crappy electronic throttle and it reminds me
every day about itself! Once the Sonata is paid for, I'll likely trade
it for something else as it annoys me more every day I drive it.


Matt

 

Ahhhh - the reason for so many types of cars on the road today. We all
have our triggers and when something like the pedal on the 06 Sonata just
seems to lay on your hot-button it's almost amazing how big a small issue
can become. So far my Sonata (04) hasn't let me down, but I bought it used.
It was pretty much what it appeared to be, so for me, all the car really has
to do is continue to run like it does for a reasonable time before I have to
fix it. I believe I'd be a lot like you with the gas pedal issue though
Matt. That would probably bug the hell out of me. Think back to how we
used to work to get the hesitation and little hic-cough out of a Rochester
carburetor in the 60's and 70's, so that throttle response was instantaneous
and full. To sit in a car today which by design somehow intends to defy
that fundamental, just wouldn't seem right. It would certainly drive me
nuts.

Can't for the live of me understand why such a simple and reliable system as
has been in place for every car now for years (cable) would ever be replaced
by an electronic equivalent(?). Sometimes improvement is not really.

 

I was wondering precisely the same thing. Mind you, I'm no automotive
engineer so there may well be some advantage to the electronic throttle
that I'm not yet aware of...but such an "improvement" strikes me as a
violation of the two prime directives of engineering:

1) KISS (keep it simple, stupid).

2) If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

Although it is only a minor annoyance to me personally, I have to agree
with you guys. I do think that it plays some part in the whole
traction/skid control system, but I would think that a cable system would
be workable somehow too.

Eric

 

Presumably, the lower compression results in better durability.

Realistically, this powertrain has been around in the U.S. since 2001
(only since late 2003MY in the Santa Fe) and there have been a few
improvements in that time, mostly in the transmission and throttle
controls. This makes it difficult for me to make any kind of experiential
conclusion in terms of real long-term reliability. In my opinion, there
have been very few serious problems, but I've also seen more issues than
I'd like with the variable intake and throttle motors. I'm currrently
replacing the block in an XG because of an issue with coolant in one of
the cylinders, but this is also the only vehicle with this powertrain that
I've seen with such a serious engine issue that wasn't owner-induced.

 

I believe the accelerator position sensor is adjustable as well as perhaps
the throttle position sensor, but if these were far enough out of
adjustment to cause an issue, your check engine lamp should be on. I've
experienced defective sensors, but never one out of adjustment on this
electronic throttle system (XG, Santa Fe).

You could try reinitializing the throttle plate, but I suspect your dealer
has already done that. To reinitialize, turn the ignition key to the on
position (do not start engine) and immediately turn it back to off. Then
leave the key off for at least ten seconds. This often relieves some of
the suddenness of the acceleration.

I still think, however, that if the throttle is binding, that's an issue.
I don't think it'll significantly affect your fuel mileage, but it's a
serious safety concern. Of course, I haven't driven your vehicle, so I
don't know how much it sticks.

 

Auto manufacturers can control emissions better with electronic throttle.
You stomp the pedal, the computer opens the throttle plate gradually as it
sees fit. Prevents a large amount of fuel dumping. Then again, it also
can prevent the car from doing what you want it to. I'm not sold on the
idea that electronic throttle is the way to go.

 

Auto manufacturers can control emissions better with electronic throttle.

Given the sudden acceleration issue I've described, this might be a
case of unrealized potential...at least in this one instance.