Recommended servicing on my Elantra 2003 GLS seems dubious

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by Victek, Sep 13, 2009.

  1. Victek

    Victek Guest

    I have a little more then 95k on my 2003 Elantra GLS (manual 5 speed) and
    took it in for an oil change and tire rotation recently. The shop came back
    with the following:


    The power steering fluid is "dirty" and needs to be flushed = $55

    Fuel system is dirty and need to be cleaned = $80 (but they won't do the
    filter)

    Oil system cleaning was recommended at next oil change = $36

    Coolant system flush = $75


    The only thing that sounds reasonable is the coolant, which I can do myself.
    Googling this NG brings up a thread from 2006 where the majority declared
    these extra services as unnecessary. I'm disappointed as until now this
    shop has not tried to play this kind of game with me - perhaps the bad
    economy is making them desperate. On the other hand three years have
    passed, so perhaps something has changed...?
     
    Victek, Sep 13, 2009
    #1
  2. Victek

    Ed Pawlowski Guest

    Sounds more like a wallet cleaning to me. Coolant, yes. I've never changed
    PS fluid in cars with 200K miles, nor the other two services. What is
    entailed in cleaning the oil system? That is a new one to me.
     
    Ed Pawlowski, Sep 13, 2009
    #2
  3. Victek

    Victek Guest

    I have a little more then 95k on my 2003 Elantra GLS (manual 5 speed) and
    Their "oil system cleaning" involves draining the oil, pouring in some kind
    of additive and running the engine briefly. Then they drain it and add new
    oil and filter - sounds right up there with Marvel Mystery Oil.
     
    Victek, Sep 13, 2009
    #3
  4. Victek

    Ed Pawlowski Guest

    That made sense in 1959, but not so much today.
     
    Ed Pawlowski, Sep 13, 2009
    #4
  5. Victek

    iws Guest

    |I have a little more then 95k on my 2003 Elantra GLS (manual 5 speed) and
    | took it in for an oil change and tire rotation recently. The shop came
    back
    | with the following:
    |
    |
    | The power steering fluid is "dirty" and needs to be flushed = $55
    bogus!
    |
    | Fuel system is dirty and need to be cleaned = $80 (but they won't do the
    | filter)
    Bogus. But do the filter.
    |
    | Oil system cleaning was recommended at next oil change = $36
    Bogus as long as you've been using a good oil and changing within the
    guidelines. My shop that I usually trust tried to convince me that I needed
    an oil change because the oil was "very dirty" but I argued with them since
    I change it myself, use a good synthetic and it had been done 5 mos./ 3K
    miles previously. The oiul is dirty because it's doing its job.

    | Coolant system flush = $75
    |
    |
    | The only thing that sounds reasonable is the coolant, which I can do
    myself.
    Yeah but to do it right is a pain.

    | Googling this NG brings up a thread from 2006 where the majority declared
    | these extra services as unnecessary. I'm disappointed as until now this
    | shop has not tried to play this kind of game with me - perhaps the bad
    | economy is making them desperate. On the other hand three years have
    | passed, so perhaps something has changed...?
    |
    I'm surprised they didn't suggest a brake fluid flush which is actually a
    good thing to do every 3-4 years.
     
    iws, Sep 14, 2009
    #5
  6. Victek

    hyundaitech Guest

    BS. Nearly all of it.

    I've never flushed the power steering fluid in any of my cars. Ever.
    And I've never had to replace a pump due to failure, either. There
    are some older GM products that had steering rack issues that would
    somewhat abate with a flush. Power steering systems on '01 to '06
    Elantras are very reliable with the possible exception of the leaks
    from the hoses, and a flush won't affect that.

    My experience is that most fuel system cleaners pushed today are very
    ineffective at cleaning anything. If there are no issues with
    misfires or anything else related to the fuel system, there's no
    reason to do a cleaning.

    If you've changed the oil at the proper interval and used the proper
    oil, there's no reason you should need a crankcase cleaning. Oils
    that meet Hyundai's specifications for this car have additives that
    help prevent them from prematurely sludging. Unless the shop has a
    crystal ball (or you need the service now), there's no way they'd know
    you'll need it at the next oil change. Additionally, I've seen none
    of these products that actually do a good job of cleaning the sludge
    out of an engine.

    Coolant flush could be on point. Hyundai recommends servicing the
    coolant every 2 years/30k miles. I don't see where mileage plays any
    significant part of coolant degradation, so I just recommend a coolant
    service every 2 years.
     
    hyundaitech, Sep 14, 2009
    #6
  7. Victek

    Victek Guest

    I have a little more then 95k on my 2003 Elantra GLS (manual 5 speed) and
    ..
    Thanks to everyone who responded and confirmed what maintenance is and is
    not worth doing!
     
    Victek, Sep 14, 2009
    #7
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