Well, I just changed my oil for the first time at 2500 miles. I used Castrol 5W-20 dino oil and will switch to Mobil 1 at 5,000 miles. I want to ensure a good break-in first although 2500 probably was enough.
The oil change wasn't too bad. It was a little tricky getting the beast up on the ramps with standard shift and that light switch that Hyundai calls a throttle. The worst part was the snow squall that blew in when I was about halfway finished! Oh the joys of northern PA in February.
The drain plug was really torqued in from the factory and made a snap when it let go, but I was glad to see a steel oil pan (at least it looks and sounds like steel) as I hate drain plugs that are threaded directly into aluminum. Draining the oil was relatively easy and there was easy access.
The oil filter is a different story. Whoever decided to put all of these stupid covers over the top and bottom of the engine should be hung by their finger nails. I couldn't loosen the filter by hand and I don't have an end cap style filter wrench, just the "strap" style. I couldn't get my arm into the available space from the top. I barely could fit it up through the hole in the splash shield. However, I finally got the filter loose. Putting the new one on was fairly painless although it is hard to get your hands up through the hole to tighten it. I've always been able to apply plenty of torque by hand, but I always have had better access than the Sonata provides. I'm pretty sure I got the requisite 4/5ths turn and it doesn't leak so hopefully it is tight enough. I'll have to invest in an end cap style wrench for future use.
Other than the filter, not too bad of a job. The oil filler cap was also way overtightened and was hard to get loose since it is recessed into the engine cover like the dipstick is. I may remove that cover and save it for when I sell the car. I don't think it serves any real function beyond window dressing and makes checking the oil level a PITA.
Matt