Well, I just changed my oil for the first time at 2500 miles. I used
Castrol 5W-20 dino oil and will switch to Mobil 1 at 5,000 miles. I
want to ensure a good break-in first although 2500 probably was enough.

The oil change wasn't too bad. It was a little tricky getting the beast
up on the ramps with standard shift and that light switch that Hyundai
calls a throttle. The worst part was the snow squall that blew in when
I was about halfway finished! Oh the joys of northern PA in February.

The drain plug was really torqued in from the factory and made a snap
when it let go, but I was glad to see a steel oil pan (at least it looks
and sounds like steel) as I hate drain plugs that are threaded directly
into aluminum. Draining the oil was relatively easy and there was easy
access.

The oil filter is a different story. Whoever decided to put all of
these stupid covers over the top and bottom of the engine should be hung
by their finger nails. I couldn't loosen the filter by hand and I don't
have an end cap style filter wrench, just the "strap" style. I couldn't
get my arm into the available space from the top. I barely could fit it
up through the hole in the splash shield. However, I finally got the
filter loose. Putting the new one on was fairly painless although it is
hard to get your hands up through the hole to tighten it. I've always
been able to apply plenty of torque by hand, but I always have had
better access than the Sonata provides. I'm pretty sure I got the
requisite 4/5ths turn and it doesn't leak so hopefully it is tight
enough. I'll have to invest in an end cap style wrench for future use.

Other than the filter, not too bad of a job. The oil filler cap was
also way overtightened and was hard to get loose since it is recessed
into the engine cover like the dipstick is. I may remove that cover and
save it for when I sell the car. I don't think it serves any real
function beyond window dressing and makes checking the oil level a PITA.


Matt