[KevinB]

I found it even cheaper (160$) at Zoro, with my credit card offers. But I went with Amazon since I didn't trust Zoro with such a big product. Especially with shipping and returns.

There are website apps/extensions that can track prices and alert you when it goes down. If you are willing to wait, you can always get a great deal on almost all online products.

I use keepa for Amazon, and I get the best deals, almost all the time.

I’ll check that out. I buy from Amazon a lot too. I’ve tried the Capital One browser extension but most of the time I’m too impatient to bother. 😕

 

[D2s]

DIY : Cargo Mat with an easy access to both the load floor compartments.
Material : Inexpensive Rubber Mat (Made it invaluable with all work done ) and left over door edge protector strips.
Time : 2.5 hours

I got tired of waiting for a good quality cargo tray, which has access to the bottom storage bins.
So ordered a regular rubber mat and cut it to work as I want it to be.

Since the mat I ordered was a universal one, I had to do a good amount of planning and trimming to get full coverage.
Once I was sure it will work, I dressed up the edges with a bit of lip/thickness using some left over door edge protector strips.

The front mat stays in place even after opening, because I tucked in the back edge into the tiny gap between OEM load floor.
The rear one rolls out with the three stage opening of load floor. I might add some Velcro later.

I have left almost an inch of overlap between the two mats, so that either one can be kept below the other.
That is to make sure no dust/sand falls into the OEM load floor.
Since the edges are only having a small lip, water spill can still get there.

As expected, not happy that the mats themselves are just OK quality.
It will need some curing in the sun to get the wrinkles out.
Even after washing it, there is definitely rubber smell.
The mats are thin (can get torn with anything sharp) and lightweight.

Happy that It works as intended and now I can regularly access both the compartments with the mat on. They fall back into place when I close the lids.

 

[KevinB]

Nice job!

 

[cafpaf]

That does the trick. However, I am just not as talented as you and a bit lazy, so.... I am going wait to see if some manufacturer comes out with one. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[D2s]

That does the trick. However, I am just not as talented as you and a bit lazy, so.... I am going wait to see if some manufacturer comes out with one. Thanks for the pictures.

Thank you. I also wanted one from someone who knows how to do it properly. But unfortunately, I think nothing might come out. SantaFe itself is on the next generation and everyone will be interested in making something for the new customers, not the our version of the vehicle.

Check my own communication with TuxMat for the same. This was in January and I think they are talking about 5th generation.

Crossing my fingers.

 

[cafpaf]

Sorry, I can not read the thumb nail photos. With me I could be doing something wrong on the computer. One never knows.

 

[D2s]

Sorry, I can not read the thumb nail photos. With me I could be doing something wrong on the computer. One never knows.

Its acting up for a lot of people. For me, it shows on the phone and appears broken on the laptop.
The thumbnails are just the email communication with TuxMat asking for making a cargo mat with dual opening.
Below is their replay.

"Thank you for giving us that feedback. At this time the team is not planning on changing the design of the trunk mat but I will be happy to relay your ideas and they may be used in future development. As for the trunk mat for the Santa Fe Hybrid model, the team is currently working on what we are going to call a supertrunk. This will not only cover the rear trunk space in the vehicle but it will also cover the backs of the seats for the maximum protection. It is still in development and we do not have a time frame for when we would have it available to purchase."

 

[D2s]

In some vehicles they have a closed storage on top of the dash board. SF has the real estate but doesn't do anything for effective space utilization.

While I was mounting the dash cam this was my one of my favorite location, but the difficulty in running multiple wires stopped me.

Might be a good location to put the FasTrack transponder. Or a radar detector. But anything reflective is a bad idea there.

I'm not interested in the open storage tray I won't leave anything there, open to the direct sunlight and that will fly out everytime I apply brakes. I also want to stay away from decorative items, else I would have fixed one scaled model classic car in there.

Does anyone has any ideas how to make use of that space effectively? May be a closed space for masks or ID cards? Tissue paper box? Or upgraded speakers?

 

[KevinB]

I was thinking of a holder for sun glasses but then I saw this one that attaches to the sun visors. I really miss the little storage bin above the rear view mirror that our 2012 Limited had.

Amazon.com

Oh, and you can get it in black leather with red stitching. 🥹

 

[D2s]

Accessory : Kuat Transfer V2 3 Bike Rack
Cost : 390$ (I got an unbelievable deal, currently its 535$)

It is a three bike rack, but after using it for some time, I removed the one bike attachment, to keep the weight down and improve the rear visibility.
Need to see how it performs with Santa Fe's sensors and 360 camera. The initial impression is great.

It is an awesome bike rack overall, and I have used it on multiple long trips on the previous vehicle.
Needless to say, I love this rear bull bar. I might just leave it there even without any bikes, for the rugged looks.

I will add some pictures later with respect to its operation and show the interference with sensors and camera.

 

[D2s]

Rack Clearance with the hatch and different rack positions

Rear view from the info screen. Rack in the open and closed positions.

Rear view mirror view

Things looks good (manageable) when there is no bike loaded.
Parking sensors gets reactivated every time I put into R.

 

[D2s]

Very happy so far, for what I could do with a sharpie. Will explorer adding a bit more color and details later.

View attachment 3048

Need to ask the insurance guys to reduce my premium, if the transformers can act as a theft deterrent.

The transformers are doing a great job protecting my SaFe, mostly at Costco parking lot. Unfortunately progressive increased our insurance rate for multiple reasons.
1. Accident with our previous vehicle
2. Hyundai vehicles getting stolen at an alarming rate
3. All insurance is becoming more expensive in CA

I still have to add some fabric colors to make the image pop.

 

[D2s]

Thanks for your reply. I agree. I'm reluctant to Plasti-Dip with the grille on the car. Replacement grilles can be had for about $350. I may just live with it.

I finally decided to do it, keeping it on the car. Removing the front fascia looked like a bigger challenge.

Yes, masking was the most difficult part. I have used one plastic sheet inside the grille to prevent over-sprays to the radiator and other internals.

I Also did the silver trim under the grille, since I didn't wanted to do the masking task one more time.

I will share finished pictures once I do a bit of clean up and with proper sun light to take pictures.

 

[cafpaf]

How did you get the plastic sheet inside the grill? That may be a good way to get at the loud back up alarm.

 

[D2s]

How did you get the plastic sheet inside the grill? That may be a good way to get at the loud back up alarm.

I got the plastic sheets in the same way as the form sheet I used for covering AVAS.
Rolled it up and pushed in through the gap in the grille.
Reposting that images, as it didn't work earlier.

DIY: AVAS Sound Reduction
Cost: 5$ for the 3M tape
Time: 2 hours (you need patience for this one)

I was little embarrassed by the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) sound the hybrids/EVs produced, especially when reverse is engaged.
At the same time I recognize why it is in place, So I decided to do a stick-on solution, to bring down the decibel levels.

Preparation with packing material

Final installation is stealth

Before and after sound levels

I don't trust the sound reading from the app much. But there is a noticeable difference from the inside and outside.
I was able to get the decibels down from 'loud music' levels to 'conversation' levels.
Not happy about the 3M tape quality and the cover might fall off at higher speeds. (Its still holding on after 20 days)

 

[D2s]

View attachment 3082

Chrome Delete & Black Out - Front Grille
Cost: 10$ all together
Time: 2 hours (not including curing time)

This was one the first things I wanted to do, but couldn't because of the masking requirements (all around, inside the grille, front camera, inside the emblem). But finally here it is.

My Limited is almost a night edition now. I love it.

 

[cafpaf]

Thanks, now I just have to become "brave enough" to give it a try to reduce the VSS sound. My concern is if something falls off, or if I can't get in back out of the grill then where does it go and what potential problems can it cause.

 

[D2s]

Accessory : Kuat Hitch and Bike Lock
Cost : 22$ used

I wanted to lock the hitch to the car with the locking pin and got a good deal on a used item. The hitch locking part works well.

But I would advice anyone else against buying this one.
Mainly because the bike lock part is not up to the mark. It comes out of the arms while driving down the road with out any bikes. The magnet at the end is not effective.

The (Any) cable lock is just a theft deterrent and anyone with a wire cutter will be able to steal your bike. Already lost one from my parking lot, which was locked by a similar cable lock.

 

[Ron526]

I’ll check that out. I buy from Amazon a lot too. I’ve tried the Capital One browser extension but most of the time I’m too impatient to bother. 😕

What was done to reduce the noise levels?

I’ll check that out. I buy from Amazon a lot too. I’ve tried the Capital One browser extension but most of the time I’m too impatient to bother. 😕

what was done to reduce the noise levels?

 

[Ron526]

In some vehicles they have a closed storage on top of the dash board. SF has the real estate but doesn't do anything for effective space utilization.

While I was mounting the dash cam this was my one of my favorite location, but the difficulty in running multiple wires stopped me.

Might be a good location to put the FasTrack transponder. Or a radar detector. But anything reflective is a bad idea there.

View attachment 3159

I'm not interested in the open storage tray I won't leave anything there, open to the direct sunlight and that will fly out everytime I apply brakes. I also want to stay away from decorative items, else I would have fixed one scaled model classic car in there.

Does anyone has any ideas how to make use of that space effectively? May be a closed space for masks or ID cards? Tissue paper box? Or upgraded speakers?

Toll transponder painted flat black attatched with Blutack.