Hyundai Sonata

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2008 Hyundai Sonata

2008 Hyundai Sonata questions and answers

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Q: 2008 hyundai sonata transmission question?
I have a Hyundai Sonata 2008 2.4l 2,700 miles, Automatic. It has a slow shift between 1st & 2nd gear Feels like a loss of power until it passes 2nd gear, fuel mileage is 19-21 city/hwy 60/40 hwy. Took it to the dealer and no codes in the computer. Any answers will be helpful! Thanks!

A: The 2008 Hyundai Sonata has a electric throttle sensor now.There is no cable throttle.As soon as you step on gas pedal it sends it to the ECM and then to the throttle body. This is why it feels sluggish.It takes a moment to realize and analize the throttle. Why change the throttle cable,is unknown to me.Most likely to help with fuel milage.So it is not your tranmission.

Q: Need link to 2008 Hyundai Sonata Owners Manual?
I recently bought a used 2008 Hyundai Sonata, I later discovered the Sonata Owner's Manual in the glove compartment was for 2007. Can anyone direct me to a link for pdf download of the 2008 Sonata Owner's Manual? Thanks in advance for your help.

A: I suggest talking to your sales person or the general manager of the dealership and request to exchange yours for the correct one. Unfortunately, it's one of the 'little things' that sometimes falls through the cracks.

Q: What's the difference between a 2007 and a 2008 Hyundai Sonata? Are there any huge differences?
I'm planning on buying my first car, and I want it to be a Sonata, but I'm not exactly horribly rich. I was wondering is the 2007 model was so much different from the 2008. I might get a better deal on the 2007 and not loose too much.

A: There isn't much difference between the 2007 and 2008 model, but the 2009 Sonata has been updated and improved. Mostly a refreshed exterior, new interior center stack, tweaked engines, and improved suspension. I've seen them at the dealerships already, and Car and Driver has reviewed it favorably. It's called Hyundai Sonata Transform in Korea, and here is a short commercial showing it doing just that:

Q: Where can I buy a replacement 2008 Hyundai Sonata rim and how much does 1 cost?
I dented the rim on one of my tires when i bumped into the curb and i need to know if i can get a replacement one. I have no idea how much there gonna cost because its 2008 :/

A: You definitely don't want to go to the dealer, they'll probably want $250+ for a replacement alloy wheel. You can get 1 on ebay in mint condition for under $150 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-07-Hyundai-Sonata-17-Factory-Alloy-OEM-Rim-Wheel_W0QQitemZ250204483007QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43957QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-2006-2007-Hyundai-Sonata-16-inch-Wheel-Rim-70728_W0QQitemZ180203747378QQihZ008QQcategoryZ43956QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem BTW, just because you hit a curb doesn't mean you need to replace your rim, its just for looks, but if you really did dent it so that the tire won't hold air then a replacement is a must.

Q: I am looking at a 2008 Hyundai Sonata....is it a car meant for 10+ years of ownership?
Will I need to think about replacing this car after just a few years of ownership, or can I drive it happily for 10+ years?

A: Most any new car properly taken care of should last 10 years. And this includes the 08 Sonata, which is by the way a very nice car .

Q: I would like to hear from any 2007 or 2008 hyundai sonata owners ?
how do you like your car?

A: I have a 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 which is the SE V6 in the 2007 and 2008 models. I got the car in 2005 when the model first came out so the car had some of those first model year bugs that Hyundai has since resolved. The two major problems I had with the car was the lack of seek buttons on the steering wheel controls and the suspension noise. Hyundai has since addressed both problems with the addition of seek buttons and they used a different set of shocks in the 2007 model. I test drove a 2007 out of curiosity when I heard they changed the shocks and found that the noise from the suspension had been remedied by this change. The car is extremely quiet and it is very fast off the line. I really cannot remember when last I floored the accelerator because it responds with such speed that it is not necessary. The transmission is somewhat slow to downshift but that I have learned is due to the torque lockup converter first having to disengage before allowing gear change. (the torque lockup converter reduces unnecessary gear changes during highway driving to save fuel) The engine emits a low purr when it is first started and it sounds great when revved. The squeal of the tires when I do floor it is smile inducing. Contrary to many critics reviews I find the handling of the Sonata very secure and precise with some but not a lot of body roll. The Sonata is a mix of Accord and Camry ride and handling characteristics. The Sonata does the Car and Driver slalom @ 62mph while Camry and Accord do it @ 60 and 64mph respectively. I would say that I am an aggressive driver at times but I typically average 23mpg with an even mix of highway and city miles. The brakes are very responsive and stop the car in a shorter distance from 60mph than the Accord or Camry. (This is good for me because I tend to tailgate people that are driving slow in the leftmost lane.) I like the look of the Sonata and I know a lot of people will disagree. The car is sleek and elegant. I don't like excessive folds in the sheet metal characteristic of some other cars. The interior is very spacious and comfortable although in the beige interior dirt and scuffs show up pretty easily. The dashboard is the only thing that looks off in this car. Simply using plastiwood straight across the dashboard incorporating the center vents while eliminating the wood around the A/C controls would fix its appearance (take a look at the Mercedes S550 dashboard as an example). However, the Sonata will receive a midcycle redesign for 2009 and it will receive a new interior, a new front grille and possible an upgraded 3.3L V6 with 265hp. (The Korean press releases for the Korean market Genesis state that one of the engines will be the 3.3L V6 making 265hp.) When you first drive a Sonata the ride may feel a bit harsh and the fuel economy may not be as expected but as it is broken in you will find that the ride will become more comfortable and fuel economy will improve. In the city the Sonata does not return great fuel economy. I have gotten 17mpg in pure city driving. On the highway however, I have gotten 33+mpg @ 60mph, 29mpg @ 70mph, and 26mpg @ 80+mph. I would recommend the Sonata because of the price and the warranty and because you don't see it at every stop light. It is a great car and though the Japanese cars are better in some aspects when it comes down to it I would rather save some cash on the Sonata and put the savings away. I definitely think you should check out the new Accord, Camry and Altima. When I bought my Sonata it was newly redesigned and those other cars were in the middle of their design cycle. These cars are all new now so I would wait and see what the Sonata's update has in store. In the end you may not choose the Sonata but the fact that it can be considered among those other cars is just a testament to how great a car it is.

Q: 2006-2008 Hyundai Sonata?
I'm doing a little preliminary research for my Mom who's looking to buy her next used car. She's not a car person and I am, so I told her I'd be happy to help her out. She currently drives a '95 Volvo 940 with 175k miles and it's been an excellent car for her. I told her anything else she buys isn't going to compare, but it's time to get rid of it. She's interested in the 2006-2008 Sonata. She said she definitely would prefer the 4cyl version for better fuel economy and she doesn't require excess power from the V6. Here's my concern...I know that Hyundai and Mitsubishi share a lot of components. Is the '06-'08 Sonata's 2.4L 4cyl and the 4-speed automatic the same 2.4L 4cyl and 4-speed Mitsubishi used to use in their 2001 Galant? I'm concerned because I had a friend who owned a 2001 Galant and it was a huge piece of junk. By 80k miles, his 2.4L 4cyl. engine was burning oil out of the tailpipe and the 4-speed automatic was starting to have problems shifting properly.

A: The 2.4L in the Sonata is one of the engine that was a venture between Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, but each manufacturer took and made some changes to it. They each share cylinder heads and block set up. I own a 06 Sonata v6 and absolutely love it. I know people who have the I-4 engine and haven't had a problem. If your mom takes as good care of the Sonata as she did her Volvo it should last just as long or longer. Good luck!

Q: Does a 2008 Hyundai Sonata have a timing belt or timing chain for the 4-cylinder engine?


A: Contrary to popular belief, the 2.4 L engine now has a timing chain!! Hyundai made a change to the engine beginning in the 06 MY. Good news for the customer...not so good news for us in the shop. No more $400 timing belts!

Q: I would like to hear from 2007 and 2008 hyundai sonata owners, how well do you like your car?


A: I don't have one, but my friend autumn loves hers. I drove it once full of power and comfortable ride. Nice leather seats and as long as you don't drive it hard good gas mileage.

Q: I just bought a 2008 Hyundai Sonata yesterday. The owner's manual states not to use MTBE.?
What does that mean? I know MTBE is an additive for gas. I will call Hyundai on Monday, but I would like to know today. Which stations have MTBE?

A: MTBE is methyl tertiary butyl ether. MTBE was added to gasoline because it boosts octane and is an oxygenate, that is it adds oxygen to the combustion reaction when it burns. An oxygenate reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust, which is why it was adopted for use in gasoline after the clean air act of 1990. The problem with MTBE is that it is thought to be carcinogenic. If underground tanks at gas stations leak the MTBE from the gasoline can combine with underground water readily resulting in contamination of wells and drinking water. In any event, MTBE has been replaced by ethanol in gasoline, which is more expensive but it is not a cancer threat.

Q: Does anyone know the license plate fastener or bolt size for a 2008 Hyundai Sonata ? ?
The local auto store and Hyundai Parts are no help.

A: Its a self tapping screw either #8 or # 10 screw

Q: 2008 Hyundai Sonata for $15700. Is this a good deal?
I was amazed how Hyundai got better last 3 years. I had to buy car for my college commute. I went around dealers and test drived many cars. I was looking for cheap car with good MPG, so I tryed toyota yaris, honda fit, and Hyundai Accent. I noticed these economical cars get very loud when accelerate and usually can't even go higher than 80mph. But I was amazed how Hyundai got better last 3 years. Then the dealer said I can get 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS with $15700 because I owned 2001 Hyundai Sonata which was very bad car. I test drove it and it was very smooth, Stable, and roomy. It was tag priced at about little more than 19K, so I thought it was good deal. They said it only have silver and gold because other colors were all sold out. He said this good deal is going to end tomorrow. What should I do? Oh its not resale. Its new car from Hyundai store.

A: Buy it. I agree with you, the new Sonata is a good car and the Hyundai warranty is best in the business. Don't expect much in resale value.

Q: The 2008 Hyundai Sonata lists gages for oil pressure and voltage as installed, after looking there are none?


A: It was probably a option. Some came with gauges and some with lights. Where does it list this? If it were listed on the vehicle build sheet or window sticker, it is supposed to have what it states, if not I would complain.

Q: A Question about the 2008 Hyundai Sonata "Breaking In" Process?
I recently just purchased a 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS (4cylinder Automatic) a little over a week ago. I am in love with the car! :-)...I have 1 main issue with the car tho, while driving the car at low speeds, let's say, anywhere between 0-40 miles an hour, I feel the transmission shift into gear when changing over. The feeling is like a minor jerk to an actual "push" forward of the vehicle. I am told by friends that this is the "breaking in" process for the car for the first 1000 or so miles. This is my first new car. I am wondering do you agree or could this be a sign of a transmission problem aka - LEMON!!!?? Please if anyone can help me...please...give me some insight of the problem. OTHER DETAILS The car has 220 miles on it. Took it to Hyundai Service last night, service did a "code" check for problems and of course everything came back good. They also took it for a drive and of course either the car didn't jerk or they just ignored the problem. THIS IS A 2008 VEHICLE!

A: Actually that sounds fairly normal if you are accelerating hard, in most cars you can ever so slightly feel when the automatic transmission up shifts. Nothing you described sounds like something to worry about just yet, and if it does you have a 10 year warranty on the transmission. The transmission on the 4 cylinder is more likely to give you feedback because the engine has to work harder then on the V6 model. Test drive some of your friends cars and let them test drive yours to see if they notice anything, don't tell them you think there's an issue, just let them drive and after-wards ask if they how they liked it and if they noticed anything odd. There really is no "breaking in" process for cars for the most part, but it is possible that after 500 miles the engine will be smoother...this isn't a rotary engine that actually gets more powerful as it ages though. BTW, Lemon is a bad term and very hard to prove so try to keep calm until there is actually something wrong with the car...don't be so paranoid.

Q: how do i deactivate the seat belt minder for my 2008 hyundai sonata?? ?
I've looked in the manual and can't find anything about it but i know there is a way to do it somehow... help!!

A: Are you disabled or just would like to be? All 50 states have a seatbelt law because seatbelts save lives. If everyone wore their seatbelt 25+% (over 10,000) of the people killed annually in car accidents would still be alive. Would you also like to disable your airbags, traction control, ABS. The solution is to buy a car built before 1974 as they had no safety features back then...and people died at a much higher rate.