2010 CHEVROLET HHR maintenance

If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light can
prevent more serious damage to the vehicle. This
system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle's fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modifications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle's emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
See Accessories and Modifications on page 6‑3. This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:
A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/retailer for
service as soon as possible.
4-36

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
.The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on with the engine running,
or if the key is in ON/RUN and the light is not on.
.The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD II (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system. The
vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if the battery has
recently been replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take several days of
routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD II system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
4-38

Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
This light comes on briefly while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer. If the system is working normally the indicator
light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other
system problem.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle's
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 3‑19.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes
on when the fog lamps
are in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off.
See Fog Lamps
on page 4‑13for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
on page 4‑5for more information.
4-39

AV (Average) SPEED
Press the information button until AV SPEED displays.
This mode shows the vehicle's average speed in miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
To reset the average vehicle speed, press and hold the
reset button while AV SPEED is displayed.
OIL LIFE
Press the information button until OIL LIFE displays.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. It shows 100% when the system is
reset after an oil change. It alerts you to change the oil
on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine Oil
on page 6‑19andScheduled Maintenanceon
page 7‑3.
Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. See “How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System” underEngine Oil Life System on page 6‑23.
COOLANT
Press the information button until COOLANT displays.
This mode shows the temperature of the engine
coolant in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees
Celsius (°C).
Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), the pressure for each tire can be viewed in the
DIC. The tire pressure is shown in either pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press the
information button until LF ## PSI (kPa) ## RF displays
for the front tires. Press the information button again
until LR ## PSI (kPa) ## RR displays for the rear tires.
If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the
system while driving, a message advising you to
check the tire pressure appears in the display. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure
on page 6‑63andDIC
Warnings and Messageson page 4‑48for more
information.
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle's systems.
A message clears when the vehicle's condition is no
longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it
from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons.
If the condition is still present, the warning message
comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off
and back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
4-48

AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch. See
Automatic Headlamp System
on page 4‑12for more
information.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch. See
Automatic Headlamp System
on page 4‑12for more
information.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake fluid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
See Brake System Warning Light
on page 4‑30for
more information. Have the brake system serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared from
the display, the engine oil life system must still be reset
separately. See Engine Oil Life System
on page 6‑23andScheduled Maintenanceon page 7‑3for more
information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it is
on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the message off.
COMPETITIVE MODE
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the Competitive Driving mode is selected. The
Traction Control System (TCS) will not be operating
while in the Competitive Driving mode and the ESC/
TCS light on the instrument panel cluster will be on
solid. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Traction
Control System (TCS)
on page 5‑9, Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)on page 5‑6, and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
on page 4‑33for more
information.
COOLING MODE ON
This message may display on some vehicles. Under
severe conditions, hot ambient temperatures, steep
grades, and towing, your vehicle may experience more
transmission shifting. This is temporary and normal
under these conditions. This does not require engine or
transmission service.
4-49

transmission is shifted to L (Low) or R (Reverse) to turn
the system off, the indicator/warning light and
TRACTION OFF will come on in L (Low). But the
system will not turn off right away. It will wait until there
is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑48for more
information on the messages associated with this light.
The system can be turned back on at any time by
shifting to D (Automatic Overdive) or I (Intermediate).
The ETS indicator/warning light should go off.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle's performance. See Accessories and
Modifications
on page 6‑3for more information.
Limited-Slip Differential
Vehicles with a limited-slip differential can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when traction is
low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle. The limited slip design has
minimal impact to the steering feel, but boosts the
traction performance under all conditions.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while driving, the power steering
assist system will continue to operate until you are
able to stop the vehicle. If power steering assist is lost
because the electric power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be steered 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. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑48.
5-13

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 6‑34.
Towing a Trailer
(Manual Transmission)
Do not tow a trailer if the vehicle is equipped with a
manual transmission.
5-40

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-71
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-72
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-76
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-76
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-77
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-77
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-78
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage . . . . . . 6-87
Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-88
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-89
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the SpareTire (All Models Except SS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-92
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire (SS Model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . 6-106
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-110
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-111
Interior Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-111
Fabric/Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-112
Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-113
Care of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-113 Weatherstrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-114
Washing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-114
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-114
Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-114
Windshield and Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118
Headlamp Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-119
Windshield Wiper Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-119
Power Windows and Other Power Options . . . 6-119
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-119
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-120
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-122
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-125
6-2