You may wish to consider dropping the trans pan and replacing the filter> instead of a flush. This won't change as much fluid, but it will change> the filter. If you have a repair shop other than a dealer service the> trans, be sure they use SPIII fluid.

The star-wheel brake adjuster system on your car (and most other drum> brake vehicles) is notorious for not working very well. Use your parking> brake and pedal height as a guide. If you need to pull your park brake> near full stroke or you must significantly depress the brake pedal to> receive braking, it's probably a good idea to adjust the rear brakes. The> spinning freely vs. 1.5 turns is a very poor indicator.

I think brake fluid under the dust covers, even in a small amount,> indicates a leak that needs to be fixed. I don't know that Hyundai has an> official position on this, but I believe I am in agreement with GM's> official position. Unfortunately, it's your dealer that needs to agree,> not me. If they don't agree they need to be replaced and you think they> should be, you can call Hyundai customer assistance, and they'll open a> case on it. If you're a reasonably good customer at the dealer, they may> do it for you even if they don't agree, just to keep you happy. Picking> apart their (albeit excessive) 30k service won't help your case, though.

I just called my dealer who said the brake cylinders would be covered> under warranty but that fluid appearing behind the dust covers is> normal! Was my service technician lying??>

The dealer also said the battery is warranted for three years, and the> fourth year pro-rated. good news!

The list of things that need doing is (* denotes recommended > rather than required): >

*3 step fuel (additives to fuel, eng oil and something else?) > $80 > oil change $30 > coolant flush $90 > trans flush $100 > clean & adjust (i assume rear drums?) $30 > *chassis lube $15 > *spark plugs $70 > The 60k mile service includes all the above for $280, as > opposed to $415 getting them individually. >

in addition, the following is needed: > a/c, pwr steer & alt belts $60 + $127 (labour) = $187 > new battery $50 > flush & fill (don't know what!) $60 > drum brake cylinders $125 >

A few notes about some of these things. The clean and adjust > was supposedly because the rear wheels spin too freely? He > told us the shoes were supposed to be in very gentle contact > with the drums, so the rear wheels stop after about 1.5 turns > if he spins them gently by hand. Sounded weird, but okay. > He pulled back the dust covers of the brake cylinders and > showed us fluid behind them. This supposedly means the > cylinders are leaking and need replacing. He reckoned these > were wear parts and wouldn't be covered by warranty ­ >

As for everything else, what do you folks reckon could be > performed by someone like me who's never done an ounce of auto > maintenance in his life? I take it the fuel additives would > be pretty easy. And probably the chassis lube and battery. > Are spark plugs easy to replace? What else could I manage? > Preferably things that don't need me to crawl under the car ­ >

Thanks!

Thanks for the extra info.>

As a side note, I really don't want to get under the car, because> there's no level parking near my apartment, so i doubt i can safely> put the car on jack stands ­ I suppose it's best if i put aside my> dreams of becoming a DIYer until i can find some level groud, eh?