Thank you to all the experts that share their wisdom here. It's been some good reading so far.

So I have a simple question.

I have a 2004 Santa Fe - 4 cylinder manual transmission.

To keep up to date with the maintenance schedule I will need to replace the spark plugs and engine coolant soon.

I'd like to do as much of this on my own, as I really have a hard time accepting the ridiculous prices the Hyundai dealerships charge. For example I'm looking at their latest service brochure and they want $78.15 to replace the Cabin Air Filter! I just bought one today at Cambodian Tire for $16.00 and it took me less than 3 minutes to remove the old one and replace it!! $78.15 plus taxes!!! ARE YOU JACKIN' ME OR WHAT!!!!??? Geez!

Anyway, I digress...

So what I'm wanting to know from one of the experts is for the Engine Coolant, is it as simple as opening the valve at the bottom of the radiator, draining the old coolant and then refilling it with some new Prestone or similar? Is that all there is too it, because when I see that Hyundai wants me to pay them almost $100 for this I'm wondering what the heck else they do that I can't do myself? Comments from anyone who maybe works in the service department of a Hyundai Dealership?

And as for the spark plugs. I can easily take the old ones out, buy the same ones and replace them. What I don't know is if the new ones need to be "gapped" or if I get the exact same make and model of the ones I remove if they will already be "gapped" to the right measurment or not? Again, Hyundai wants $101.68 to replace 4 of them for me. Sigh... Is there something else they do that I'm not aware of when they replace them, other than obvioulsy inspect the wires etc?

And finally, can someone who works at Hyundai or some other expert advise me of what they actually do if I want a "tune up" other than replace the spark plugs? Do they actualy adjust the valves or adjust the timing or what???

Oh...and sorry...one more question. I've always replaced the oil and filter myeself, and to it more frequently than is even required (every 5,000km). Am I right in assuming there are no grease nipples under the vehicle? I've never been able to find them and I've assumed they are all sealed units? Am I correct? In otherwords, there is nothing to "lube" with a grease gun under there is there??

Thanks...and looking forward to any replies!!

I can only comment on spark plug change. I got it done recently and can safely say it's very, very easy for a 2.4L. Just remove the top cover and you'll see all the 4 plugs. Remove them and replace them with NKG PLATINUM ones, it's the same ones Hyundai uses. The default gap works fine, I didn't see the service rep making any gap change. I would recommend STRONGLY to change the s.p. wires too, they are NOT cheap, same company make. That's it. you don't need dielectic gel, etc. You don't need to tune it, etc.

Oil change - no, all sealed, not required.