
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 1 In Brief
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Portable Audio Devices (Auxiliary Input or
USB Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-20
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
1-1

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on
and remain on as long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate control system may
come on.
The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat
the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
and hold
/until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then back off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on page 3‑6.
Door Locks
From outside the vehicle, unlock the door using either
the key or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
From inside, use the manual lock knobs located at the
top of the door panel near the window.
SeeDoor Locks on page 3‑8.
Power Door Locks The power door lock
switches are on the
front doors.
Press the top or bottom of the switch to unlock or lock
the doors.
For more information see Power Door Locks
on
page 3‑9.
Liftgate
Open the liftgate by pressing the touchpad located in
the handle above the license plate. Once slightly
opened, the liftgate will rise by itself.
See Liftgate
on page 3‑11for more information.
1-5

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
How OnStar Service Works
Q
:Push this blue button to connect to a specially
trained OnStar advisor to verify your account
information and to answer questions.
]: Push this red emergency button to get priority help
from specially trained OnStar emergency advisors.
X: Push this button for hands‐free, voice‐activated
calling and to give voice commands for Hands‐Free
Calling and Turn‐by‐Turn Navigation.
Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services,
Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside
Assistance, Turn‐by‐Turn Navigation, and Hands‐Free
Calling are available on most vehicles. Not all OnStar
services are available on all vehicles. For more
information, see the OnStar Owner's Guide; visit
www.onstar.com (U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada);
contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1‐888‐466‐7827)
or TTY 1‐877‐248‐2080; or press
Qto speak with an
OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For a full description of OnStar services and system
limitations, see the OnStar Owner's Guide in the
glove box.
OnStar service is subject to the OnStar terms and
conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
Information. OnStar service requires wireless communication
networks and the Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellite network. Not all OnStar services are available
everywhere or on all vehicles at all times.
OnStar service can’t work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area, and the
wireless service provider has coverage, network
capacity, reception, and technology compatible with
OnStar's service. Service involving location information
about your vehicle can’t work unless GPS signals are
available, unobstructed, and compatible with the OnStar
hardware. The vehicle has to have a working electrical
system and adequate battery power for the OnStar
equipment to operate. OnStar service may not work if
the OnStar equipment isn’t properly installed or you
haven’t maintained it and your vehicle is in good
working order and in compliance with all government
regulations. If you try to add, connect, or modify any
equipment or software in your vehicle, OnStar service
may not work. Other problems OnStar can’t control may
prevent service to you, such as hills, tall buildings,
tunnels, weather, electrical system design and
architecture of your vehicle, damage to important parts
of your vehicle in a crash, or wireless phone network
congestion or jamming.
1-24

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 3 Features and Controls
Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Automatic Door Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Side Cargo Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17 Theft-Deterrent Systems
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Content Theft-Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . 3-19
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Automatic Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Manual Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . 3-31
Shifting Out of Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Parking the Vehicle (Manual Transmission) . . . . 3-33
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
3-1

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the KEY FOB BATT LOW
message displays in the DIC. See“KEY FOB BATT
LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑40for additional information.
Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from
your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up.
Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote start feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside the
vehicle. It may also start the vehicle's heating or air
conditioning systems. See Climate Control System
on
page 4‑18for additional information.
Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
on page 3‑4for additional
information.
/ (Remote Vehicle Start): This button will be on the
RKE transmitter if you have remote start.
3-6

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
To start the engine using the remote start feature:1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button, then immediately press and hold the remote
vehicle start button for four seconds or until the
vehicle's turn signal lamps flash.
When the vehicle's engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on while the engine
is running. The vehicle's doors will be locked.
3. If it is the first remote start since the vehicle has been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine
is still running, to extend the engine running time
by 10 minutes. Remote start can be extended
one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
After a remote start, the engine will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been
done or the vehicle's key is inserted into the ignition
switch and turned to ON/RUN.
The maximum number of remote starts between ignition
cycles with the key is two.
If the remote start procedure is used again before the
first 10 minute time frame has ended, the first
10 minutes will immediately expire and the second
10 minute time frame will start. After your vehicle's engine has been started two times
using the remote start button, the vehicle's ignition
switch must be turned to ON/RUN and then back to
LOCK/OFF using the key before the remote start
procedure can be used again.
To manually shut off the engine after a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
the remote start button until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
.Insert the vehicle's key into the ignition switch and
turn the switch to ON/RUN and then back to
LOCK/OFF.
The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if:
.The vehicle's key is in the ignition.
.The vehicle's hood is open
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.There is an emission control system malfunction.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4‑33.
.The engine coolant temperature is too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts have already been
provided.
3-7

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this feature
is located to the right of
the steering wheel and
above the radio.
Move the thumbwheel to the left to dim the lights or to
the right to brighten the lights.
The dome lamps will turn on when the thumbwheel is
moved completely to the right.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamps turn on when any door is opened. To
turn on all dome lamps with the doors closed, turn the
instrument panel brightness thumbwheel completely to
the right. See Instrument Panel Brightness
on
page 4‑14.
Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside the vehicle turn on when any door is
opened. These lamps will fade out after about
20 seconds after all of the doors have been closed or
when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN. These lamps
will also turn on when pressing
Kor theLon the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The lamps inside the vehicle will stay on for about
20 seconds after the key is removed from the ignition to
provide an illuminated exit.
Reading Lamps
There are reading lamps located on the front and rear
dome lamps.
To turn the front reading lamps on or off, press the lamp
lens. To turn the rear reading lamps on or off, press the
button next to the lamp.
4-14