Hyundai Repair: 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe LX , V6, hyundai santa fe, mileage intervals

Question
This is my wife's car. We both love it. It only has 27,000 miles on it. It is very confusing trying to do periodic manitenance at a rate of 5000 mi/yr. I do have it serviced
every 6 months (oil change, filter, etc.). As it is close to 6 years old I feel I should have a complete service done
but I'm not sure exactly what it should entail. The owner's manual has a schedule but I'm not sure what to use as guideline. Example - should I have the plug wires replaced?
Could you give me a detailed list of what I should have done as I want to keep this Santa Fe in top shape.
Thanks for any help;
Milton Burtch
VaBch, VA

Answer
I'd recommend replacing the coolant every two years, based on the time interval.

I'd also recommend replacing the timing belt after four years (this time has already passed).  The interval on the timing belt is 4 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Since rubber deteriorates over time as well as with flexing, I believe this is a good idea.  I also recommend replacing the tensioner with the timing belt.

The other maintenance items, I'd recommend on mileage intervals only because that's how they tend to wear or be consumed.  The spark plugs are a good example.  They don't wear at all while the vehicle is not running.  

I'd recommend the following based on your owner's manual:
Spark plugs and wires: every 60k
Air filter: every 30k

Additionally, I recommend changing the transmission fluid every 30k.  Although the owner's manual recommends 105k, I think this interval is far too large and believe 30k to be much more reasonable for protecting the transmission.

Make sure you're aware that what I'm recommending deviates from the owner's manual recommendations.  Technically, everything in the owner's manual is recommended by time or mileage.  The recommendations above represent my personal opinions based on how things wear, whether by time or mileage.  If you're looking for warranty repairs, Hyundai can still hold you accountable for not following their recommendations, if they're applicable to the situation.