DIY Servicing: Hyundai i20 1.2
Almost nothing on the Hyundai i20 is that difficult to cope with at home. So once these new-ish models are out of their dealer warranty, why not service them yourself, asks Richard Gunn?
The Hyundai i20 was introduced in 2008 as a replacement for the Getz, although that South Korean supermini lingered on beside its successor for a few years. The i20 was a clean-sheet piece of engineering, with a new platform designed in Germany and intended to appeal to European tastes.
The first-generation lasted from 2008 to 2014, before Hyundai introduced the second series. Again originating from Hyundai’s European design centre in Russelsheim, this good-looking small car sits in between the i10 and i30 in the Hyundai hierarchy. The marque calls its styling ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’. But as there’s just been a mid-life facelift, we’re probably on ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.1’ now.
Our vehicle here is a 2016 i20 SE MPI, with the 1248cc four-cylinder Kappa 2 engine. This is a simple yet robust unit – fans of old school motors will appreciate that it still has conventional HT leads connecting directly to the spark plugs without individual coil packs getting in the way. There’s a timing chain rather than a cambelt, and electric power steering rather than hydraulic, both of which contribute to a car package that’s pretty easy to service yourself. It would be even easier still if Hyundai hadn’t placed the coolant expansion tank in such a stupidly inaccessible place. For that, and the excessive number of screws and clips securing the engine undertray, we’ve given it a two-spanner difficulty rating rather than just one.
Equipment required
› Funnel › small inspection mirror › torch › jack › axle stands › oil container/tray › sockets and spanners › flat-head and crosshead screwdrivers › spark plug terminal pliers › tyre tread depth checker › wheel brace › antifreeze hydrometer › wire brush › abrasive paper › copper grease › general purpose grease › spray grease › LM grease › tyre pump › torque wrench › rags for cleaning › disposable gloves