30k+ service questions

I recently took my 2005 Elantra into the dealership for its 30k mile
service. However, as I was relocating at the time to a new apartment
and money was tight when they told me it would be $900 I told them
just to change the oil.
When I refused service the tech said "You don't want to void your
warranty". I'm only 3k miles past that point at the moment.

Does that sound reasonable to change some fluids and do some general
maintenance?

 

My experience, learned the hard way, is to look at your service manual
BEFORE they give you the pitch to change and check every darn thing on the
car. Just do what it says in the manual for 30K miles and tell them forget
the rest until you think it might be prudent to check the other things they
tried to stuff down your throat.

 

That's exactly right. You're only required to do what's in the manual
and you can do it yourself or have any mechanic do it, it doesn't have
to be the dealer, who is apparently a thief. For that matter, I'd report
the dealer to Hyundai, as what they're doing is unnecessary, unethical
and discourages people from doing the maintenance required to maintain
their vehicle and their warranty.

Just as an example, my local dealer charges $600 for the 60K service,
which includes changing the timing belt (that still seems high to me,
considering I did the whole thing myself for under $200). Your 30K
service doesn't require any major work and your dealer wants $900?

 

My Sonata calls for an oil change, an air filter change and a change in the
filter for the gas tank. Nothing else. The Hyundai dealer told me they
have never changed that gas tank filter in ten years of operation there.
That one is expensive but they didn't even stock them so I said screw that
one. Nothing there is even close to $900.... Do it yourself for $40 and
give the dealer the big finger.

 

I agree on the evap filter. More money than it's worth. If it become
clogged, it may cause difficulty in filling the tank and a check engin
lamp. But it won't affect the way the car runs and it won't caus
anything else to break. Pony up the bucks when it eventually fails

 

Thank you for your suggestions and tips!
There's a local mechanic doing coolant flushes for 49.99, and that's
the only thing listed as a "must" in the manual, besides the regular
oil changes and possibly the air filter. Thanks

 

Find out if he uses demineralized or distilled water. If not, go
elsewhere, as one of the leading killers of radiators is the minerals in
tap water, often used to flush cooling systems and dilute antifreeze.

Personally, I just drain the radiator and replace the removed coolant
with either fresh pre-mixed coolant or my own mix using distilled water
(from the grocery store). I realize this isn't a full flush, but it
beats flushing with tap water.

 

Do you think the pre-mix uses distilled water?

 

It's made with demineralized water, which is just as good for the
purpose. The only reason I use distilled water is that it's easier to
find than demineralized water.

 

This is an interesting topic. For many years
I have not flushed my cooling systems but just drained it until i
stopped draining and filled it with pure antifreeze or mixture
whichever made the correct concentration.

Only problem I have had, and this may be a coincidence, but one year
used the orange antifreeze that was supposed to last longer and th
water pump started to leak almost immediately

How do you flush a cooling system without removing the thermostat