Matt Whiting

My Sonata rolled over 10K on Friday so today was oil change and tire
rotation day. A few observations and comments:

1. The care has been very trouble-free during this time. I've really
only had one issue that required a visit to dealer (the noise in the
dash over sharp bumps), but that remains unresolved as I was unable to
reproduce it with the tech in the car. And it is less pronounced and
largely nonexistent in warm weather so I'll try again in January.

2. My overal fuel mileage is 29.30 MPG.

3. The front wheels were hard to remove, with the driver's side front
being very hard to remove. I had to beat on it for several minutes with
a hard polymer head hammer. I was about to get out my 5 lb. sledge when
it finally broke free. I've never had this problem with a car before.
I brushed grease on the flanges to avoid some of the rust in the future.
I've never had a car where the flange protruded so far through the
wheel hub hole.

4. Another first for me ... the oil filter gasket didn't come off with
the oil filter. I didn't notice this when I pulled off the filter as I
immediately turned it upside down and let it drain into the pan.
Fortunately, I always wipe the gasket flange with a paper towel before
installing the new filter. The old gasket came off with the paper
towel. I'm really glad it came off! I've changed my own oil for 30+
years using a wide range of filters, including early on the now infamous
Fram filters, and I've NEVER had this happen. Makes me question the
quality of Hyundai brand filters. The gasket is differently shaped than
most other filters and it appears to not be crimped in very well.
Anyone else have this happen?

5. The OEM Michelins appear to be wearing very fast. I typically get
60,000 miles given my driving style and regimen, but it appears that
nearly half the tread on the front tires is gone after only 10,000. The
wear is quite even so I don't suspect misalignment, but I suppose that
is possible.

I'm now ready for my second 10,000 miles, except I've got to check the
AC filter as that also calls for inspection/replacement at 10K as I recall.

Matt