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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

To retain its competitive edge in the mid-size crossover segment, the refreshed 2010 Santa Fe has a newly refined exterior design and numerous interior improvements. The refreshed Santa Fe features the choice of two new fuel-efficient powertrains with six-speed transmissions that significantly improve vehicle performance and fuel economy. With proven dependability, versatility and an extensive list of standard features, the 2010 American-made Santa Fe is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size crossover category.

New Equipment Highlights FOR 2010

2.4-liter DOHC Theta II inline four-cylinder engine that outperforms outgoing 2.7-liter V6 engine in fuel economy and zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration
3.5-liter DOHC Lambda II V6 engine with improved power and fuel economy
Exterior upgrades to:
 o Wheels
 o Taillights and foglights
 o Bumper fascias and bodyside moldings
 o Grille
Interior refinements to:
 o Leather and cloth seating surfaces
 o "Eco Indicator" standard on automatic transmission models
 o Touch-screen navigation with rearview camera and XM NavTraffic
 o Rollover sensors for side curtain airbags
 o CleanAir Ionizer standard on Limited trim
 o Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls are now standard in all models
Santa Fe also delivers on the safety front, earning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front impacts.

CHOICE OF TWO MORE POWERFUL AND FUEL-EFFICIENT POWERTRAINS
The 2010 Santa Fe comes standard with Hyundai’s second-generation Theta four-cylinder engine. The Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers quicker zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration than its predecessor’s Mu 2.7-liter V6 engine, while also improving fuel economy. The Santa Fe four-cylinder delivers an impressive 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway fuel economy rating with front wheel drive and the new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Intake System (VIS) for better engine breathing.

Santa Fe’s 2009 model year Lambda 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been replaced by a new Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine for more performance and efficiency. The Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 34 more horsepower and 22 more pound-feet of torque (276 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque).
3.5-liter DOHC Lambda II V6 engine Highlights

Increased horsepower and torque
Increased fuel economy
Weight reduction
Conventional Rotor Oil Pump to Variable Flow Vane Oil Pump
Water Control Housing : Aluminum Housing to Composite Housing
Cylinder Head Cover : Aluminum to Composite
Intake Manifold : Two-Step to Three-Step VIS (Variable Intake System)

This newly refined powerplant features aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and weighs less than the 3.3-liter V6 it replaces. To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on intake and exhaust camshafts and a new three-step Variable Intake System (VIS) that helps cylinders breathe efficiently at low and high RPM. The better breathing results in outstanding off-the-line acceleration and passing performance, and remarkable fuel efficiency. New mileage figures for V6-powered Santa Fes are 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway (FWD/AT), which bests the Ford Edge and Chevrolet Equinox V6.

All Santa Fes now offer Hyundai’s first six-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. The Santa Fe four cylinder comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, Santa Fe’s available electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system automatically routes power to the wheels with the best traction. A driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can improve performance in slippery or off-road conditions.

To help Santa Fe drivers get the most out of their vehicles, for 2010, Hyundai has added a fuel economy indicator. The "Eco Indicator" on automatic transmission models displays a green light to indicate when driving habits are contributing to good fuel economy.

INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY
The Santa Fe also features six standard airbags, including side air curtain airbags. To make the 2010 Santa Fe even safer, Hyundai has added rollover sensors to the side curtain airbags.

All Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, a technology providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected. The system also uses Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which automatically equalizes the braking force to the front and rear axles, based on the vehicle loading conditions.

All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints. Front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant’s head and the head restraint during a rear collision.

NEW MODERN, AERODYNAMIC DESIGN THAT’S DISTINCTIVELY HYUNDAI
The design team added a more refined touch to Santa Fe’s exterior design, with new bumper fascias, foglights, bodyside moldings, wheels and grille creating a more stylish, dynamic and taut stance. Its wide track remains, providing great handling and interior room. Sleek styling makes the Santa Fe aerodynamic. Standard roof rack side rails help define its clean side profile, while adding SUV functionality. Cross bars are standard on SE and Limited models.
STYLISH, QUIET AND EFFICIENT INTERIOR PACKAGE
By popular demand, Hyundai’s factory-installed navigation system featuring a high-resolution touch-screen and voice command technology is now available on all Santa Fe models. This new touch screen navigation system also offers a rearview camera and XM NavTraffic. In addition, Bluetooth, iPod®/USB auxiliary inputs and steering wheel audio controls are now standard in all models.

The 2010 Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossovers on the market. Hyundai accomplished this through a platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car platform sharing. For example, although the Santa Fe is 3.7 inches shorter than the Chevrolet Equinox, its cargo volume exceeds it, with plenty of storage for items of different sizes.

By incorporating a stiff unibody architecture and a well-engineered triple-sealed door/body interface, Hyundai engineers have significantly reduced cabin noise.

Air conditioning is standard, while available dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front-seat passenger bring a touch of luxury to the Santa Fe Limited.

Demonstrating Hyundai’s attention to detail, blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons highlight the vehicle’s modern, integrated interior design. Soft-touch, high-quality materials, low-gloss surfaces and zero-tolerance fits are used throughout the interior, as are color-keyed seat belt buckles and cupholder inserts to add more design harmony to the inside cabin. New darker interior colors and wood grain have been added.
PURPOSE-BUILT PLATFORM
The Santa Fe rides on a purpose-built unibody crossover platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase. This chassis delivers a wonderful ride, handling and balance that discerning crossover buyers are looking for, along with interior amenities just right for most families. This stiff body structure provides the basis for both a more refined ride and more agile handling. Thanks to the suspension geometry and wide track width that enables greater turn angles, Santa Fe’s turning circle is 35.4 feet - an advantage Santa Fe drivers will appreciate in their daily driving and parking.

Jay Leno test drives a Tango electric car

It may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing car out on the market, but the Tango electric car does have Jay Leno’s stamp of approval. And in the auto industry, that speaks volumes.

The pencil-thin, yet surprisingly-fast electric car was the subject in the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage. In the episode, Leno talks with the inventor of the Tango, Rick Woodbury, and the two discuss the uniqueness of the car despite its rather peculiar appearance. In a rare moment of seriousness, Leno looked as if he was genuinely interested in what Woodbury had to say, which is pretty significant because the comedian wastes little time in trying to crack jokes at other people’s expense. One particularly important point that was stressed was the Tango’s use of lead acid batteries as compared to the lithium-ion variety, which Woodbury admits the company still doesn’t have the budget for. Nevertheless, the inventor of the Tango stressed that the company is preceding plans with putting lithium-ions in the Tango in the near future.

After their conversation, Leno then takes the Tango out for a ride and is pretty impressed with the ride, even saying that the car’s unique ability to split lanes – according to 63 police officers Woodbury asked, all of them have said that it’s perfectly legal – makes it the perfect traffic buster.

Another Leno quip that made us crack was when he said that the Tango’s the only car that you can hang both your arms on both windows. The man hasn’t lost his touch.

What is the average snowfall accumulation in the month of February in Richmond, Virginia? 

See answer under Car Doctor.

De-salt your car

With the ice and snow over the past few weeks, most of us have been driving around on salted roads (or at least those of us who were lucky enough to get salted roads!). What you may not be aware of is that salt can cause damage to your car. It can cause corrosion and can speed up rust, which is particularly relevant to older cars. Without getting too scientific on it, salt increases the electrical conductivity of water and so accelerates corrosion.

Now that the cold spell seems to have subsided, it is probably a good time to give the car a good wash and try and get rid of the salt off the bodywork and undercarriage of the vehicle. Make sure in particular to wash the underside of your car to get rid of the salt which will have bounced up from the roads. When you’re washing the car make sure also to get the mud and muck out of the wheels and wheel arches. Give rubber, trims, door seals and tyres a good wash and rub also. If you’re using a hose at home make sure it has a high pressure nozzle so that you can get the water at power into those hard to reach places.

You may also find that your car mats have turned white in sections. This can be caused by road salt from your shoes.  Mostly this can be removed with soap and water but if this doesn’t do the job you can also try some vinegar diluted with water.

Make sure that your automobile is up to date on its service schedule. 

Click Here to schedule a service appointment at your nearest Hall Automotive Service Center.