"glassfern53" <4hisglorynotmine@gmail.com> wrote in message

Good luck with the new job.

You will get lots of opinions on this, but here is mine.

Dealers will have some special tools, the latest service bulletins, genuine
parts.  There are times they are the best source.  That said, I've not used
a dealer for service (aside from warranty) but maybe twice in 40+ years of
driving.

Spark plugs at 30,000 miles?  What does the book say?  Most cars today are
good for at least 50, often 100,000 miles.  If they are running good, go by
the book, not the dealer.  Even then, if it is running OK, more miles is OK.
I change mine at 120,000 and it made no difference at all in how the car
runs.

Often, the non-branded parts come from the same factory as the originals.
Not all do, and there are some that are not as good.  The good mechanics u
se parts that are equal or better to factory specifications.  Talk to your
mechanic about that.  A few months back, I called a machine company too ask
about a replacement part. They wanted $50 for it.  I called a distributor
and bought the same part, in the same factory box for $5.  This type of
markup is common.

Dealers are only as good as the mechanics that work for them.  In both
dealerships and independent garages, you will find some that are fantastic,
you will find some that should be flipping burgers, not fixing cars.
Another thing that drives up prices not only in dealerships, but in some of
the major chains is their policy on how to do certain service.  Your local
shop may put in new brake pads when they are worn.  The dealer sill put in
new pads, turn the rotors, rebuild the calipers, etc.  As a matter of
policy, they don't want complaints later that something screwed up, They
know it was allreplaced.

I like my independent guy.  Much more sensible prices.

Check to see what’s included in the 30k service and then check your
manual to see how much of it is needed.  

First off, you shouldn’t need to replace your spark plugs.  The
recommended maintenance interval is four years/60k miles and they’re
warranted until that time.

Here’s what I’d consider doing:
-- Replace the coolant if it hasn’t already been done.  It’s
recommended every two years.
-- Change the oil and filter if due.
-- Rotate the tires if you’ve been doing that routinely.  If not,
rotate them if the fronts are significantly more worn than the rear.
-- Clean and adjust rear drum brakes.  Inspect disc brakes for wear.
A good shop will inspect your brakes every oil change.  They’ll want
to make the money off replacing them. and the brakes are easy to look
at while the car is in the air.
-- Replace the air filter.
-- Check the transmission fluid.  Replace if in poor condition, or
just replace it on general principle.
-- Check the vehicle to make sure lights and other systems are in good
operating order.

Make sure whoever does the maintenance uses only SP-III transmission
fluid.  Hyundai spark plugs are either Champion or NGK.  There’s no
need to purchase spark plugs at the dealer.  You can get the same
spark plugs for a much cheaper price at your local parts store.

Who’s better?  That depends on the dealer and the corner garage.  Only
experience will tell.  Check the local word-of-mouth

Hi Andrea

Whatever you do, please do not buy spark plugs from the dealer.  You
can find them on the net for less than 1/2 price.

Here is what NGK recommends for your vehicle:
====
2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA  GLS 2.0 L4 FI DOHC
Spark Plug     Part No.     Stock No.     Plug Gap     Photo
Standard     BKR5ES-11     2382     .044
V-Power     BKR5E-11     6953     .044
G-Power     BKR5EGP     7090     .044
Laser Platinum     PFR5N-11 * #     5838     .044
OE Laser Iridium     IFR5E11 ^     7994     .044
Iridium IX     BKR5EIX-11     5464     .044
* "Laser Series" Platinum center electrode, and Platinum pad ground
electrode
# Original Equipment Manufacturer, and/or Original Equipment Service
Part
^ "Laser Series" Iridium center electrode, and Platinum pad ground
electrode

Oxygen Sensor     Part No.     Location     Note     Photo
Oxygen Sensor     25606     Upstream      ULEV      n/a
Oxygen Sensor     24588     Downstream      ULEV      n/a
Oxygen Sensor     24588     Downstream      SULEV      n/a
Oxygen Sensor     24304     Upstream      SULEV      n/a