1. Aside from getting better MPG with premium gas over regular, are premium fuel actually better for your engine?
So long as your car is designed to run on both fuels, I don't think either is "better" - although higer octane allows more timing advance without detonation.
2. Is it bad for the car if I have Auto Hold feature on all the time? I can't think of a reason why anyone would have this feature turned off.
Mine is usually off because it cuts off every time you shut the power off, and I usually forget to re-engage it. I assume that running with it on all the time is fine, since Hyundai actually allowed that condition by design.
3. How do you guys clean the perforated leather seats when stuff get stuck in those tiny holes?
Mine is too new to have gotten dirty yet, so I'll be interested in the answer. On my previous Genesis, i started by running a vacuum over the seats, but that pulled tiny tufts of white thread-like stuff up thru the ventilation holes.
4. How long do the stock tires last on normal driving condition? 30k miles? 40k?
I traded my 09 with just under 18K miles. I would be suprised if the tires would have passed inspection.
5. Is Genesis completely undrivable when it snows? Should I get the snow chains ready?
I drove the 09 to the NC mountains for a ski trip. The GF and I decided to go off-resort for lunch. on the way out, we turned off the main road into slope side condo neighborhood, just to see the houses. About a 1/4 mile in, we crested a very minor hill, then down a slight incline. The road hadn't been plowed (ever, it looked like), was hard packed, and might have experienced a thaw/freeze cycle or two. The road ended in a cul de sac - and so did my traction. Even though the incline could not have been more than 2-3 degrees, the Genesis could not get back up the slope.
The second worst part - several helpful people stopped and offered to tow me to the top of the rise. Unfortunately, there is no place on the car to hook a strap!
The Worst Part? My GF asking me several times if maybe we should read the owners manual, and me telling her (in a frustrated voice) that I've driven in Germany, West Virginia, and Alaska. I don't need a manual to know how to tow a car. Imagine my joy when the tow truck finally arrived, popped the access cover off the front bumper, screwed in the towing eye, and pulled me to the top of the hill - exactly as described in the manual.
6. Do you use sports mode when you wanna go fast?
I only cut the ESC off when I want to wear my tires out quicker by causing them to spin.