I just bought an '08 Accent.

I have a mechanic that kept my 94 Acura Integra in tip top shape for 15 years and 289,000 miles(Just was becoming unreliable at this high mileage)

The Hyundai maintanence log says I NEED TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AT 15,000
This seems absurd to me and I am wondering do I have to have the dealer service my car or can my trusted mehanic change my oil ?
He told me about the Magnessen Moss Act and I am wondering if anyone had a problem if and when they needed "warranty work" and DID NOT USE A DEALER SERVICE!

I am coming up on my FIRST oil change and want to make sure I don't have a problem if and when I would need to address a warranty issue!

Thanks for any and all replies !

ACCENTUATE the +

You should only have to replace the spark plugs at 15,000 if you're following the severe conditions maintenance schedule. Otherwise, "normal" driving calls for them to be replaced at 30,000. What sort of conditions does your type of driving fall under?

As far as who can work on the car, any capable mechanic has the ability to do so and your warranty coverage shouldn't be affected. Nowhere does it state that Hyundai must be the only one who works on the car to keep the warranty valid. They strongly recommend Hyundai replacement parts if someone other than a dealer services the vehicle, but that's about it. However, make sure you document thoroughly everything that is done, save all receipts, etc... You may need as much documentation as possible to prove to their satisfaction that you're holding up your end of the bargain and maintaining your car properly should something major spring up. If something happens to the replaced part if it is something you bought, naturally they won't cover that under warranty...

Unless it's a Hyundai part. Alteast that is what 2 different Hyundai Dealer's have told me.

Hyundai maintence schedule is a load of crap. This is the book that also says 7,500 for the first oil change. I changed mine 3 times before that (1,500 - 3,000 - 6,000). With spark plugs I'm sure you can get 100,000 miles out of them. Change your oil every 3,000 - check you air filter every 6,000 - change automatic transmission fluid every 40-50,000 this is the main stuff. Sure it differs on the environment but come on is the life of your car worth it?

if and when things come up on my car the dealer gets first look. then my dad. then i fix it. and bill to his shop everything looks good and i personally have the satisfaction of know i fixed my car.

i wouldnt trust the maintenance schedual though. its designed for the rich people who have the cash and think that the dealer knows best. as for the rest of us thinking people, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that if you change you oil every 3000km or 5000m your waisting money. and plugs every 15k is very far fetched as well mind you they arent very expensive and they do keep efficiency to the max based on other wear factors.

im sure if i had the list of maintenance requirements in front of me i would scrutinize it much further...

sorry bout the spellin

Buy good oil and go 50,000km per oil change, Sme with sparkplugs, airfilter, tranny fluid, etc. The manufactures want to you come in every 3,00 or 5,00kms, it's money in thier pocket.

Don't worry about the 'spellin'. Be afraid, very afraid though when the Dealer

sez No Warranty for you, Hugh. I'd maintain my Car per the Factory specs, not yours! :thumbsup:

C'mon guys, quit being so "anti-dealer"... I'm sure some of you have had some bad experiences, but gimme a break...

You don't have to have your work done at the dealership to maintain your warranty. As long as you can provide documentation on all of the maintenance work you are having done, then when a warranty issue arises, it won't be a problem. This is because people come in with 50k miles on a car they bought brand new, and the motor is locked up or so sludged it's unbelievable, then they try to come up with "receipts" to prove they've had regular oil changes. It's rediculous sometimes what people do to their cars...

The Accent's spark plugs are NON PLATINUM, so replacement is recommended every 30k miles. They will not last to 100k as someone has mentioned.

As far as using Hyundai's parts, every Hyundai part has a 12 month/12k mile warranty. If you use a non Hyundai part while your warranty is in effect, then that part will no be covered under warranty anymore. For instance, Hyundai OEM halogen bulbs are originally covered for 3 yrs/36k miles (07 and newer models), but we have customers who have replaced their own bulbs with like Sylvania or something when they were actually covered under Hyundai's warranty. Then they come in later with their burned out Sylvania bulbs and expect us to put bulbs in under their warranty... NOPE, doesn't work that way.

Another issue with getting work done at the dealership, and I know your experiences vary greatly from dealer to dealer, but at our dealership if a customer gets their car worked on and we screw something up, it's our responsibility to fix it and make it right, and we will. Independent shops are really bad about denying that they messed up a customer's car. Also the dealer knows the "ins and outs" of a specific model's quirks and problems, where an independent mechanic might not.

It's just up to you. If you have a really good independent shop that you trust, then let him do all your maintenance, and make sure to keep good records and receipts and you shouldn't have any problems. Just don't let him do any repairs that are covered under your Hyundai warranty... that would be just silly... lol.

im with komptek on this one......

Getting in line with Tooslo and Komp here too.Just as soon as my 24 mth/24,000 mile prepaid is used up. B)

I paid the extra for unlimited oil changes as long as i own the car. So i go to my dealership for that, and I still keep all paperwork for the oil changes. As far as repairs, because Hyundai has the 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on all the work/parts they do I think its worth paying the price.

My mom tried to save money on mechanics people say they trusted and it cost her too much $$$.. The problem was never fixed, or it stirred new problems and the mechanics played dumb to the issues. Said the sounds and shaking she was feeling was all in her head. she finally took it to the dealer and had it all fixed and it worked fine after that. Totaled it in a car crash 6 months later but it worked perfect until then.

I just feel comfortable with the fact that Hyundai sees my car more frequently then a regular mechanic and knows there way around the vehicle a lot better. Going to a mechanic for repairs or maintenance will not void any portion of your warranty unless the dealer proves the cause of the car trouble was caused by the mechanic that fixed your car. Then i would think you would have to go through that mechanic's shop to have the problem repaired for free of course.

So i prefer the dealer, although i think their fees for repairs are outrageous, and i will still complain about the costs.

I don't mind paying it either, mainly because I have no other choice... Although yes, I will complain about the prices. :grin: At least I know the dealer is forced to fix it should they eff anything up. :thumbsup: Still have yet to find a Hyundai-friendly mechanic around here anyway, so dealer it is.

I wish I could do the simple stuff myself like oil changes. I'm more than capable of doing it but I don't have a garage to do it in and working on my car out in the parking lot violates my lease agreement w/ the apt. complex. :crying: So, I change out air filters on my own and that's pretty much it.