Hyundai Elantra 2004 Problems

FIRST go out and check the accuracy of the odometer. Markers on posts used to line many highways are quite accurately placed by the road authorities. Head out on a nearby highway and locate one of these markers and stop safely alongside it, noting your odometer reading. Reset your trip meter to zero, then drive off to the next marker and stop again, noting the reading on your odometer and trip meter. Preferably do this over a distance of 5-10km, and repeat it a number of times to improve the accuracy. That will give you an indication of the accuracy of your odometer.

THE Australian Design Rule calls for a speedo to be accurate to plus or minus 10 per cent, so at 100km/h your speedo could be showing anything from 90km/h to 110km/h. If it is showing 112km/h when you're actually doing 100km/h, it doesn't comply with the standard. The problem I have with your dyno test is that you don't know the accuracy of the dyno. It is also a machine with tolerances and you need to know what they are to determine the results' accuracy. Remember the speedo is built with tolerances so is unlikely ever to be 100 per cent accurate. Many other factors affect the accuracy of the speedo reading: the rolling diameter of your tyres, wear on tyres, inflation pressure and so on. The RACV regularly checks speedos for accuracy and results show speedos of modern cars are much more accurate than those on older cars. Most speedos checked fall on the conservative side -- that is, the indicated speed is higher than the actual speed.

GENERALLY the Sportwagon was a good car with plenty of features for the price. Hyundai mechanics report the engine starts to use oil once it clocks up 100,000km. Look for a well-cared-for car and get it checked by a mechanic. Also consider a Mazda 626 wagon or a Toyota Camry. It's hard to beat the Camry.

THERE shouldn't be any problem leaving your car for that time. Ask a friend or neighbour you trust to start your car once a week and let it warm up, allowing the oil to run through the engine. It's a good idea to have the battery hooked to a trickle charger to keep it up to charge (letting it run down shortens its life), but that may be difficult to do in a carport. Likewise, I recommend leaving it under a cover, to protect it from the elements, but doing that can be a signal to burglars you aren't home.