2010 CHEVROLET HHR check oil

California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, the vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could
turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4‑35. If this
occurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,
look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit‐related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available
in your area. We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must
not be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:
This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
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To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specification D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not
properly formulated for your climate. If this happens,
switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel
tank can improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 0°C (32°F), the fuel mix in the fuel tank
should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not
to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85.
If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add
as much fuel as possible—do not add less than
11 L (three gallons) when refueling. You should drive
the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
11 km (seven miles) to allow the vehicle to adapt to
the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to refill the fuel tank more often when using
E85 than when you are using gasoline. See Filling the
Tank on page 6‑10. Notice:
Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle's fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club,
or contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
6-9

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{WARNING:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See“Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluidon
page 6‑36.
B. Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 6‑28.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
under Engine Coolant on page 6‑29.
D. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter on page 6‑25.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System Cooling System on page 6‑28.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑19. G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 6‑19.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakeson
page 6‑37and Hydraulic Clutch on page 6‑28.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑41.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. See Engine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 6‑122.
K. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting on page 6‑41.
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A. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6‑28.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑25.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 6‑36.
D. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
under Engine Coolant on page 6‑29.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” under Brakes
on page 6‑37andHydraulic
Clutch on page 6‑28.
H. Underhood Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 6‑122.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑41.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑41.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for the
location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-19

Cold Temperature Operation
For Vehicles With the 2.2L or
2.4L L4 Engine
If in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature
falls below−20°F (−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide
easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low
temperatures. Always use an oil that meets the required
specification, GM6094M. See “What Kind of Engine Oil
to Use” for more information.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are
all that is needed for good performance and engine
protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System, a computer
system that indicates when to change the engine oil
and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and
engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on
driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system
to work properly, the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE OIL SOON message comes on. See DIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑48. Change the
oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an
oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the
engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a
year and at this time the system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine parts and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
6-23

Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission
fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason
for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to a
dealer/retailer for service. Have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have the fluid level checked
by your dealer/retailer when the oil is changed. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7‑10for
the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives fluid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
See Brakes
on page 6‑37for more information.
Cooling System
The Cooling System allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
6-28

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
The tank is located in the
engine compartment
toward the front of
the engine on the
passenger's side of
the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for
more information on location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or
above the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD FILL (A) line or a little higher. The COLD
FILL line is near the bottom of the tank and sticks out
from the rear of the tank.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the COLD FILL line. If it is not, you may have
a leak in the cooling system.
6-31