So here’s a funny story: my Rain-X has disappeared. My Hyundai Getz’s favorite rain repellant bottle, which I bought that bottle from a hardware store whose name I can’t recall, seems to have vanished into thin air from my car accessories box. Unfortunately, since I can’t remember where I bought that bottle, I wouldn’t know where to buy another bottle of Rain-X. (I should’ve tried Mr. Handy, or whatever the name of that hardware store at Robinson’s malls are.)

I went to Ace instead and bought a bottle of Auto-Gard Rain Repellant. It’s not the first time I’ve purchased an item from Auto-Gard; I also bought a car shampoo back in the days when I wanted to wash Gina myself. (Days now long-gone.)

Since Typhoon Frank seems to be unleashing his fury on the metro right now, methinks it’d be a perfect time to try Auto-Gard Rain Repellant out. I’ll be sure to post here what I think of it, especially vis-a-vis my contentment with Rain-X.

I drove my Philippine Hyundai Getz on EDSA today to get to work because it’s faster. Everything was going fine - I was singing praises and everything, specifically Myron Butler’s version of Unrestrained when, out of nowhere underneath the EDSA-Shaw intersection - the infamous ilalim - I ran over a metal canister.

Now what the heck a metal canister was doing in the middle of the capital’s busiest highway is beyond me, but my Hyundai Getz ran over it at around 60KPH.

CLANG!

I waited for the inevitable sound of flat tire, but heard nothing. Regardless, I decided to pull over and examine the damage. I held my breath and saw this.

Fudge.

Anyway, I took my Hyundai Getz to Hyundai Fort Bonifacio, where the service is awesome and rates are reasonable, for a look-see. Ever-smiling Jay Doria, Hyundai Global City’s resident service adviser, took one look at it and said the damage was due to a loose hubcap cover, and that we may not need to replace the hubcaps. God, I hope so. I don’t have PHP15K for new hubcaps!

Meanwhile, score yet another point for the service of Autohub Group. Jay was understanding and calming, despite my hysterics. Their number one priority is after-sales service, and that’s why I trust only Autohub.

My Philippine Hyundai Getz Gina just had her 15,000 checkup, and I couldn’t be more pleased. Remember that I paid somewhere near PHP3,400 the last time? This time, I paid PHP2,900. That is just AWESOME. Plus, Jay Doria and the rest of the very capable Hyundai mechanics team replaced an air conditioning part that caused some strange - not unpleasant, just unusual - humming with the aircon. I was coded today, and the cashier waited for me. Kakahiya, because she was supposed to meet up with some friends for badminton. I gave her a can of Pepsi Light and awesome awesome awesome Leslie’s Cheezy Puffs Sweet Butter and Cheese as a peace offering.

This May, our Hyundai Getz insurance expires, so I decided to renew my insurance with Hyundai Fort Bonifacio’s in-house insurers, Standard Insurance, which offers what they claim is unbeatable insurance protection. I don’t know whether it’s unbeatable, but I liked what they had to offer me. Full coverage, with 0% participation fees, free insurance for myself and my family, and breakfast. Okay, no breakfast, but I could’ve had it this morning when I had my Hyundai Getz Philippines checked up, because I was second in line and they give free breakfast to the first 5 customers, but I thought, well, that’s just taking too much advantage of the goodness of these guys.

Oh, a nice little perk with the insurance? The bill comes to close to PHP13K, but they allow me to pay for it in three gives. Isn’t that nice? It’s not too heavy on my budget - which is important because gasoline is ridiculously expensive now - and it becomes less of a strain. Three post-dated checks. Isn’t that convenient?

Finally, to close my latest love affair with AutoHub and the folks at Hyundai Global City… they still give me SM Advantage points, and they have a raffle titled “Drive and Ride the Waves.” Since I renewed my insurance there, I got two raffle coupons for the chance to win a free trip for me and Cathy via SeaAir and a two-night stay at - get this! - The Tides Boracay! Sana manalo, sana manalo, sana manalo!

By the way, for everyone’s convenience, the Hyundai Fort Bonifacio/Hyundai Global City telephone number is 8180888. Good luck nga lang sa inyo, getting through is a real pain, it’s always busy.

Click after the jump to see the list of 15,000KM checkup checklist.

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My Hyundai Getz Philippines Gina is now on the verge of 14,000KM. It’s going to take another two weeks or so before she reaches 15,000KM and is due for another checkup at the nearby Makati Hyundai Getz checkup center, my favorite place for checkups, Hyundai Fort Bonifacio (that’s Hyundai Global City to you technicality freaks).

I hope makaabot siya ng 15K before the end of the month, which is when their 2x Advantage Points promo with SM ends. I wonder if I can getz her checked up before 15K. Hm.

… and get double points on your SM Advantage card!

I saw the announcement in the paper yesterday, and I was taken by surprise. If you have your Hyundai Getz Philippines checked up or tuned up at Hyundai Global City (that’s Hyundai Fort Bonifacio to y’all technical people), you can get points from SM Advantage, and double the amount if done anytime before the end of the month!

That’s crazy. You spend around PHP3,500 on your Philippine Hyundai Getz and get around 200 points. That’s PHP200 from SM, just like that. Go for it, kiddies!

Well, Gina’s back and I’m absolutely thrilled! The checkup on my Hyundai Getz Philippines at Hyundai Fort Bonifacio cost even less than the estimate (estimate, PHP3,600.00. Actual cost: PHP3,555.00), and they were quite thorough.

In addition to providing inspections and quality checkups on all of my Hyundai Getz parts, they also replaced a brake wheel cylinder when they found the slightest hint of potential trouble. It was covered by my warranty, which meant I didn’t have to pay a centavo, and shows that Hyundai Fort Bonifacio - Hyundai Global City to you technicality freaks - cares about its customers. Thumbs up again to Jay Doria for leading the way.

My Philippine Hyundai Getz, Gina, is currently at Hyundai Fort Bonifacio for her 10,000KM checkup. According to the form given me, these are the actions they are going to perform:

Replace:

• Engine oil
• Filter
• Drain plug
• Spark plugs

Inspect

• Air cleaner
• Inspect engine coolants
• Drive belt (for water pump and alternator)
• Ignition wiring and high-tension cords
• Battery cables and engine wire hardness and connectors
• Fuel system leaks (tank cap, gas lines and connections)
• Vacuum crankcase ventilation hoses and connections
• Wiper Washer and Blades
• Interior/Exterior lights, (done, signal, headlight, etc.)
• Power window Door lock
• A/C Cooling condition
• Front brake pads, calliper, disc (wear and damage)
• Brake fluid
• Brake pedal (travel and height)
• Manual transaxle (MTV)
• Clutch pedal (travel and height)
• Tires (abnormal wear and pressure)
• Exhaust system and mountings (leakage and damage and tightness)
• Steering joint rack box oil leaks
• Suspension joint seal and shock absorber
• Drive shaft boot (damage peak)
• Seat belts mountings
• Lubricate door hinges
• Tighten to specified torque under-chassis bolts and nuts)

Estimated cost is PHP3,600.00.