2008 CHEVROLET HHR power steering

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
The key can be used for the ignition and the driver’s
door lock.
The key has a transponder in the key head that matches
a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column. If a
replacement key or any additional keys are needed, you
must purchase it from your dealer/retailer.
2-3

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-79for
more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” to
activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
Your vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of
recording and transmitting vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to an OnStar Call
Center at the time of an OnStar button press,
Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN
system deploys. The vehicle information usually includes
your GPS location and, in the event of a crash,
additional information regarding the accident that your
vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the direction from
which your vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that we
can provide you with location-based services.OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless you are in a place
where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are
available everywhere, particularly in remote or
enclosed areas, or at all times.
Location information about your vehicle is only available if
the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and available.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
2-46

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-26.
B. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-12.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-29.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
F. Storage Bin. SeeInstrument Panel Storage on
page 2-47.
G. Traction Control System (TCS) Button (If Equipped).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). SeeElectronic
Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10.
H. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-32.
I. Rear Side Cargo Door Buttons (If Equipped). See
Rear Side Cargo Door on page 2-12.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Steering Wheel
Controls. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-46.
L. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-79.
N. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-18.
O. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-59.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-23.
Q. Rear Window Wiper/Washer ControlsRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-11.
R. Power Window Switches (If Equipped, Passenger
and Panel only). SeePower Windows on page 2-16.
S. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). SeeManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-31andAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
T. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-20andAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-22.
U. Fog Lamps Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-18.
V. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
W. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-47.
3-5

LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
or Traction Control System (TCS), this message
displays and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on the
instrument panel cluster ashes when the system is
actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road conditions may
exist if this message is displayed, so adjust your
driving accordingly. This message stays on for a few
seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin. See
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9or
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6and
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-37
orElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-37for
more information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 2-33for more
information.
POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem has been detected
with the electric power steering. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and a chime sounds if there has
been a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This
light stays on solid as long as the detected problem
remains present. When this message displays, the
system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-37for
more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the ESC inspected by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
3-52

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-25for more
information.
3-59

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted at
the steering wheel. They
include the following:
xw(Next/Previous): Press the arrows to go to the
next or to the previous stored radio station and stay there.
Press and hold the arrows longer than three-quarters of a
second to advance ahead or reverse back to a station
with a strong signal in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the arrows to go to the next
or to the previous track. Press and hold the arrows longer
than three-quarters of a second to continue advancing
ahead or reversing back to other tracks within the disc.
+
e−e(Volume): Press the plus or minus button to
increase or to decrease the radio volume.
g(Mute/Voice Activation): Press this button to silence
the system. Press this button again to turn the sound
on. If your vehicle has OnStar
®, press and hold
this button for two seconds to activate voice on the
OnStar
®system. See theOnStar®System on page 2-44
in this manual for more information.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory
power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other. For
better radio reception, most AM radio stations boost the
power levels during the day, and then reduce these
levels during the night. Static can also occur when things
like storms and power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on
your radio.
3-79

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. However, if you do not have ABS, your rst
reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down — might be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels
can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in
whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
ABS, it is different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-5.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
If your vehicle has ESC with ABS, it also has a brake
assist feature that responds to emergency braking
by generating additional pressure and engaging
the ABS. When this happens, the brake pedal will feel
easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal down
rmly and let the system work for you. You might feel
the brakes vibrate or notice some noise, but this is
normal. The brakes will return to normal operation after
the brake pedal is released.
Brake assist cannot compensate for unsafe driving
practices and braking effectiveness, itself, depends on
the condition of the road, tires, and brakes and
vehicle mass.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that the wheels are spinning too much or
are beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power by closing the throttle and managing engine spark
to limit wheel spin.
If your vehicle has TCS, there is a ESC/TCS button
located on the instrument panel.
4-6

Launch Control
If your vehicle has this feature, LAUNCH CONTROL
displays after the COMPETITIVE MODE message, when
the vehicle is stopped. Launch control is a form of
traction control, to control wheel spin while launching
the vehicle during closed track events and competitive
driving venues. The system will exit to COMPETITIVE
MODE after the vehicle is launched. See “Competitive
Driving Mode” earlier in this section. The normal Traction
Control System (TCS) will not be operating while in
the Competitive Driving mode and the TCS light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-48for more information.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power
steering assist system will continue to operate until you
are able to stop your vehicle. If you lose power
steering assist because the electric power steering
system is not functioning, you can steer, but it will take
more effort.If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several
times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the
stopped position for an extended amount of time, you
may notice a reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance. If you suspect steering system
problems and/or the POWER STEERING message
comes on, contact your dealer/retailer for service
repairs. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-48.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
4-13