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Hyundai Santa Fe 2007+

2993 messages,  Last post on Feb 28, 2013 at 8:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, SUV

    

Messages Page 295 of 300

#2939 of 2993 Re: Why has Hyundai not posted 2009 info yet? [oscar_gata] by somedai1

Apr 09, 2009 (10:50 am)

Replying to: oscar_gata (Apr 09, 2009 9:12 am)
i talked to a hyundai salesman at a dealership and asked how the whole bad economy/bailout era/recession/depression was affecting them - he said it wasn't - that was a few months ago...

#2940 of 2993 New Sante Fe owner...few disappointments. by majbach

Apr 16, 2009 (1:21 pm)

Hi, everyone. I just took possession of my '08 Santa Fe two days ago. After owning 6 Honda cars, this is my first ownership of an SUV and of a non- Honda. So far I am quite impressed with the Hyundai but not too surprised since I had done all my homework long before buying.
The Santa Fe is so suited to my exact needs (one being not priced like a Honda or Toyota)- especially compared to others in it's class. I will really miss having a sun-roof though. I was forced to buy a GL as apposed to a GLS or Limited because there is zilch head room - front or back - for someone of my size of a sunroof equipped SF. Too bad leather/power seats/sunroof is a package and not an option as it is the motor for the power seat that is the reason for the loss of headroom with sunroof as I found plenty of room passenger side.
 
Anyway, this is a great forum - wish I had of seen it weeks ago. I do have a few questions I hope some of you SF owners can help with. I cannot seem to find a topic view tree though and my searches have been all over the place as I wouldn't be surprised if these questions have been asked before.
 
Upon delivery of my new car...errrr, SUV, I had a 1000 mile trek straight north to my home in the NWT Canada (near Alaska, for all you south of 45'ers). During that journey, I noticed several minor things I want to rectify with the vehicle - if possible.
First, I was disappointed with the fuel economy. I knew it was going to be worse than the published EPA and I also reminded myself I was going from a 4 banger car with a far more aerodynamic profile to a medium size 6 cyl SUV. But still, 20 mpg, 26 mpg imp. 11 litres/100kms?!
 
After a 1000 miles, I still cant find a comfortable seat position but thats the drawback of being 6'5". I think it took just under 9 months to get comfortable in my Accord.
 
So here is where I need some advice:
Headlights. They look nice, but they suck. There are way too many moose, elk and buffalo up here to be without good headlights. My Honda's have always had awesome headlights - like a baseball stadium. I've been in a lot of rentals with my job and most headlights coming from cars from 'the big three' aren't much much better than flashlights. The SF seems to be somewhere in the middle.
I didn't care for the way they were aimed either but I looked this morning and saw no place where the aim can be adjusted.
While I was shopping, I met a guy with the same complaint who put some after market lights in his. But his e-bay lights - while being nice and bright - required a ballast and also killed his daytime running lights. They probably will kill his alternator much faster too. Has anyone here had success improving their night vision?
 
Fog-lights: Same complaint as above. I installed some after market fogs on my Accord in the air scoop below the bumper and I have them aimed out to the sides. This helps immeasurably up here in seeing potential road kill ahead of time and I will need this ability on my SF. Although I do see a spot where I can put some after market fogs behind the grill on the SF, I'd rather find a way of brightening up the fogs, aiming them outward a bit and rewiring them so that they stay on even with the high beams. That latter is possible as I had a Prelude with fogs and same factory switch that shut of with the high beams. If I recall, I simply ran a wire from the fog light fuse to the parking lights but I am not 100% on that; it was a long time ago.
 
Interior lights: Wow. What a beautiful dash etc.But, Wow! How bright is that? Even with the dimmer switch all the way down, the interior is still way to bright for me. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to turn them down even more? Only thing that comes to mind is to put a resistor in series with a wire running through the dimmer. Thoughts?
 
I could use for a little more bass in the rear speakers too.
 
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
MajBach
 
Screen

#2941 of 2993 reply to Maibach Post #2926 by wjaner

Apr 16, 2009 (2:26 pm)

First, I compliment you on your good comprehensive composition. It made me want to reply. I too took delivery of a 2008 Santa Fe in Nov 2008. Hyundai's marketing strategy needs some refining. I bought the GLS with the standard Transmission as I ocassionaly tow the vehicle behind a motor home. Hyundai haphazardly distributes the Santa Fe with the manual tranny on a low volumn basis and the dealers cannot order the std tranny for a specific customer. Potential buyers are out there but they have no way of knowing where to find the vehicle.
This is my fifth Hyundai and we still have all five vehicles. My first was a 1999 Elantra station wagon with standard Transmission. It regularily gave me 43 miles per gallon at 60 miles per hour. Next, I bought a 2002 Santa Fe GLS 4 cyl with auto tranny for my girl friend. It gives 30 miles per gal and she will not part with it. Next, bought a 2002 Elantra GLS with standard tranny for my son. It gives 43 miles per gal. Next, I bought a 2003 Santa Fe 4 cyl GLS with standard tranny and it gives 32 miles per gallon. Lastly my 2008 Santa Fe gls never gives me more than
26.5 to 27 miles per gallon. I carefully maintain all five vehicles and the quality of the 2008 Santa Fe which was produced in Alabama is noticibly inferior to the prior four that were produced in Korea. On the Korean producion cars each nut and bolt was inspected for torque and marked with paint dabs to verify inspection. It is also interesting to note the decrease in MPG for each succeding year as the American buyers demanded bigger engines with more neck snapping power. Now the trend to higher power is reversing and the Santa Fe will be offered with the 4 cyl engine again in 2010.
Werner

#2942 of 2993 Re: New Sante Fe owner...few disappointments. [majbach] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Apr 16, 2009 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: majbach (Apr 16, 2009 1:21 pm)
Welcome to CarSpace - I just glanced over to my hutch to admire my NWT license plate I got in Inuvik and it's missing. We may have to talk if I can't find it.
 
Hopefully your mpg kpg kpl? will improve once your Santa Fe gets broken in a bit more.

#2943 of 2993 Re: New Sante Fe owner...few disappointments. [steve_] by majbach

Apr 16, 2009 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Apr 16, 2009 2:31 pm)
Just say the word...
"BRRR 2 COLD"
"DIAMONDS"
"MAPLE LEAFS" (why??)
"-40 FOREVER"
 
License plates are everywhere.
 
I do not expect my economy to improve. However, I factored this in when deciding to buy a larger engine. After moving here, I NEEDED AWD at the very least. I have little use for the empty space of the back of a truck so that leaves SUV. I basically had to shop for what fit, not what I liked or could afford. Fortunately, the SF was all three. I also need something roomy enough for a 240 pound stature, 25 lb down parka, beaver hat, body armour and gun belt.
I almost went for a CR-V as it was an awesome deal (I'll leave out the details). But, despite being Honda biased, I liked the SF much better. Plus, I wanted something that had depreciated a little already as I knew whatever I bought it would spend more time depreciating than it would on the road. That too was ultimately why the trade-off from good mileage of the CR-V to mediocre mileage of the SF was tolerable. I figured the price difference between the two more than offset the increase fuel costs b/c up here, I likely won't drive 5,000 kms per year (as opposed to 30,000 where I was from), so gas costs are not really significant.

#2944 of 2993 Re: New Sante Fe owner...few disappointments. [majbach] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Apr 16, 2009 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: majbach (Apr 16, 2009 2:54 pm)
I was thinking you put the first 1k on it, but yeah, you may not get much of an improvement in the mileage. Especially not hauling around a bunch of gear and stuff. And yeah, not having to eat the initial depreciation will buy a lot of gas.
 
Enjoy the new ride!

#2945 of 2993 Installing Mud Flaps by santafeking

Apr 20, 2009 (12:38 am)

I have a 2008 Santa Fe GLS. I wanted to purchase mudflaps for it and install them myself. Can anyone give me advice on how this is done? I wasn't sure if the mudflaps are mounted using the existing screw holes on the inside wheel well or are other modifications needed?

#2946 of 2993 Re: Installing Mud Flaps [santafeking] by denvertrakker

Apr 20, 2009 (8:15 am)

Replying to: santafeking (Apr 20, 2009 12:38 am)
If you purchase the OEM mudguards, they should install easily with no modifications. I installed mine with little effort. The part number for the front is 08460-2B010, and the rear kit is 08460-2B500. I found mine on ebay from Frank Hyundai in California for $35 (for both together) plus shipping.

#2947 of 2993 Re: Installing Mud Flaps [denvertrakker] by rmcbain

Apr 20, 2009 (9:44 am)

Replying to: denvertrakker (Apr 20, 2009 8:15 am)
Hi: I also purchased my mudflaps for my 07 Santa Fe on line from the same seller. Just a note to assist you can turn the wheels in on the front so you do not have to remove the wheels to get the screwdriver onto the factory screws. The mudflaps come with replacement screws and the mudflaps are a definite improvement to the vehicle.
Good luck with your installation.

#2948 of 2993 2007 Santa Fe Trailer module. by larry99zz

Apr 20, 2009 (3:28 pm)

I purchased from dealer module U8612-2B001.I installed it but cannot get lights to work. Have correct power and turn signal response from mutipin connector. The 2 pin connector has no power coming from vehicle,is there a fuse or something I am missing?

Messages Page 295 of 300

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