The outside temperature varies and seems to make no difference.  The
"hesitation" occurs when the car hasn't been driven for some time (more
than a few hours sitting).  The car doesn't seem to immediately respond
when trying to accelerate.  Then, all of a sudden it leaps/lunges
forward.  My impression is that it has something to do with fuel - fuel
injectors, filter, pump perhaps?

Does this hesitation occur only on the first start of the day?  If so,
what's the outside temperature when the problem occurs?

Excellent advice.  I've cancelled my dealer appointment and am now in
search of a local mechanic.  I'll ask around for referrals.  I'll
likely do the coolant flush since it's never been done, and I guess
I'll ask the next mechanic to sniff around to find out what that
hesitation can be.  It only happens as I first try to accelerate; never
at any other time.  Thanks again, everyone.

<mykeymykey01@yahoo.com> wrote in message

Fowled plugs will make it run crappy, but if the chicken bones hit the
valves it can bend them.

OK I know something about this
with really crappy gas, the fuel
filters can clog. try pouring in
fuel injector cleaner from the
auto parts store, into the gas
tank. If the performance improves
this is an indication of clogged
fuel filters. This really works.
It can get some of the crud out of
injectors too.
Of course when the cleaner runs
out, the performance gets crappy
again. Also the plugs getting fowled
can make the thing run really bad.
I changed mine to platnum NKG and
it made a huge difference.
Of course I will never know as much as
Hyundaitech, who is the coolest tech
of all time, and I will never be as cool.
so,find another mechanic, and dont
listen to your dealer. Thats good advice.

I own a 01 Elantra (manual transmission) - 80k miles.   My dealer
continues to push me to do a transmission flush ($150), coolant flush
($120), and fuel injector service ($110).  I think I need the fuel
injector service since the engine acts like it's not getting gas like
it should.  How about the other services?  Necessary?  I've heard
conflicting advice on the transmission flush... haven't heard much at
all about coolant flush.  Okay price?  Thank you... I wish I could find
a local guy I trusted with this.