Ask the Car People.SM


Hyundai Santa Fe AWD Questions

23 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2012 at 4:28 PM

You are in the Hyundai Santa Fe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#14 of 23 Re: Santa Fe AWD Capability [pelican19] by highridge

Feb 27, 2010 (5:43 am)

Replying to: pelican19 (Jul 15, 2007 1:52 pm)
I know it's been a long time since your post... but if you're still out there... do you still feel good about being in 2 ft of snow in your Santa Fe? How about snowy hills? How's the ground clearance? I'm in VT so it's a big issue for me. Conditions can deteriorate quickly around here!

#15 of 23 Re: Santa Fe AWD Capability [highridge] by hatehyundai

Feb 27, 2010 (6:45 am)

Replying to: highridge (Feb 27, 2010 5:43 am)
Hi ,
I live in Pa. and with the storms we have had in the past week the car did well.
however, I did not go up steep mountains. The Santa Fe limited does have a stick shift feature on it that will help in the snow and ground clearance has never been an issue. We have had issues with the car ( bad tires, right back strut was bad) but they were finally all fixed. Overall I am happy

#16 of 23 Re: Santa Fe AWD Capability [hatehyundai] by tomato418

Feb 27, 2010 (7:31 am)

Replying to: hatehyundai (Feb 27, 2010 6:45 am)
Thanks for responding. So... you no longer "hate Hyundai" ?

#17 of 23 Me too... by iluvmysephia1

Feb 27, 2010 (1:30 pm)

hatehyundai. I am curious, do ya still hate Hyundai?

#18 of 23 Re: NEW OWNER IMAGINATION [hatehyundai] by glucose

Mar 14, 2010 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: hatehyundai (Apr 17, 2009 10:07 am)
Hi there my Santa Fe AWD 2010 brand new drove off and it was vibrating on the highway it has been back to dealership 4 times and Im told first they cannot feel it or do want to hear this one "that's how suv's drive." I had an independent mechanic test drive it and there is definitly a vibration between 60km and 110km. I plan to take this further until it gets fixed because I know another customer that went through the same problem and they fixed it .

#19 of 23 Nice Value for the Price by jerseyan

Jan 07, 2012 (7:02 am)

I have the 2009 GLS 2.7L AWD. I went from a 4wd Silverado to the SUV with no regrets. My major construction days are done, and driving around paying a fortune for fuel with an empty truck bed 94% of the time seemed like a good reason to let it go. I wanted a new vehicle, without breaking the bank. I opted for the GLS vs. the upscale version not because of affordability, but it had all I needed, why pay more for the more expensive model? It came with the hands free Bluetooth and I added a trailer hitch for those occasional trips to the home centers. The roof racks and crossbars came with the vehicle, but if I had to purchase them, how often do you travel with items on the roof?
 
The 3.3L engine to me wasn’t worth the added cost. The 2.7L has more than enough power, and with the AWD and autoshift, it is excellent in the snow. I have averaged on the highway anywhere from 18 to almost 24mpg. For a vehicle this size I feel it is pretty good. The newer models claim to get 28.
 
Some reviews have said the cabin noise is loud with the windows down. I think most cars at 70mph with the windows down have a lot of cabin noise. Adding air deflectors / vent visors around the windows helps keep the air noise to a minimum when the windows are open.
 
Financing all those add on items over time adds up. When you buy a vehicle you are paying a ton in interest for the mud flaps, fog lights, cargo cover, etc. being somewhat handy, I buy the aftermarket items as I can afford them, or get them on e-bay at a reduced price. As far as resale, after five years it’s a moot point after that, and if you plan on keeping a vehicle 7 to 10 years, who really cares about resale?
 
At 26,000 miles, I have had no major problems, and have not been back to the dealer for any repairs. Changing the oil, filters, rotating tires at regular intervals for any vehicle, along with regular maintenance is key to longevity of any vehicle.
 
If you’re looking for more power, heavy towing, or going from 0 to 60 in 30 seconds, this isn’t the vehicle for you. The Santa Fe is a great all around vehicle, quiet, comfortable, elegant and has plenty of storage, with the seats down it is more than adequate. It handles bad weather like a walk in the park.
 
Hyundai is underrated, and is a very versatile all-around vehicle. This SUV is very capable of handling rough, gravel, dirt, muddy and off the beaten path roads. It will hold your camping gear, ski’s, golf clubs, kids, soccer gear, and is able to tow your ski doodles, motorcycles or trailerable items such as moving furniture for your kids.
 
If you are looking to cross over 12” streams, boulders, tow a 40 foot Chris Craft, and drive across the Appalachian Trail, go purchase a Jeep or adequately equipped pickup. Or if you want to be gone in 60 seconds the minute the light changes green why are you looking at a Santa Fe?

#20 of 23 SF AWD all over the road problem. by jogatau

Jan 20, 2012 (10:03 pm)

I'm new to this forum and seems the place to get good answers / advise.
 
I have a AWD, 2005 SF - 3.5L and which I had rear differential changed because of annoying winding noise and got it back today and the noise is gone. I have 248,000 km on it and they installed a used rear differential with 50,000 km (at least, that what they told me). When I pick up my SF the driving was totally different, like unstable/unsafe on snowy / icy roads; note that the driving was nice sturdy and straight before I brought it in for the diff. replacement Now, even on dry pavement it wants to pull left and my steering wheel is turned slightly to the right to keep it straight. I believe, changing the rear diff. is pretty straight forward and with no adjustment to the wheel alignment. When I started driving on my way back home, I immediately notice a difference; the SF is pulling toward the center lane with a slippery / swerving effect on icy/ snowy back roads, even worse when moving very slowly (5-15 km/hr); like its dancing side to side. I called the mechanic upon my return home and told him something was wrong or very odd and describe the driving. His response was that he thinks my rear shocks are done which I think makes no sense, they might need to be replaced although not the problem here. To me it seems like the gear ratio between to front and the back may be different with front and back wheels working against each other which would make more sense that the rear shocks; is there a way to test this/ration between front and back wheels? I was told that the used rear diff. they installed came from a 2005 SF - 3.5L. Is there a possibility that more mileage / wear at front trans-axle verses rear diff. would cause this? or are there different gear ratio in those 2005 3.5L SF model. Is it possible to put in 2.7L diff. on a 3.5L, would it fit? and do they have same gear ratio? Anyone else had this problem? I'm really baffled by this problem and don't feel good and safe driving my SF this way. Any tips or advises are welcome. Thanks in advance
 
Jo

#21 of 23 Santa Fe Rear differential ratio question? by jogatau

Jan 23, 2012 (5:36 pm)

I've done much search on the Internet and this Forum and can't seem to find the as manufactured rear differential gear ratio for a 2005 Santa Fe 3.5L - AWD. Any Idea where I can find this information? Thanks
 
Jo

#22 of 23 Re: Santa Fe Rear differential ratio question? [jogatau] by jogatau

Jan 27, 2012 (6:33 am)

Replying to: jogatau (Jan 23, 2012 5:36 pm)
OK I Called my dealer and he confirmed that I have a 3.8 rear differential ratio and the guy that installed the used diff on my SF 3.5L AWD said he put in a 3.62 gear ratio; now, what will this do to my drive train? will this screw up my front transaxle and transmission? Not sure where he got the 3.62 rear diff., according to the dealer, the rear diff. of the SF 2.7L is the same as the 3.5L although two type for either the ABS and No ABS which one has a limited slip diff. the other none. As it is now, my SF drives crazy on snow and ice, just like driving on ball bearings as if you don't have full control of the vehicle. Any comments or experience in this regards?
 
Jo

#23 of 23 AWD Question by bigmac1223

Mar 31, 2012 (4:28 pm)

Hi, just had a quick question. I understand the whole thing if the AWD is locked and if you are driving over the 19-25MPH range that the AWD will disengage. My question is when the AWD light in not locked how is the power distributed to the wheels in normal driving condtions and also with a somewhat wet road? Thanks

Messages Page 3 of 3

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement