
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door
armrest.
1. Press the left or right side of the selector switch located beneath the control pad, to select the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Press one of the four buttons located on the control pad to move the mirror to the desired
direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the area behind it can be seen. Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold,
push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
Outside Convex Mirror
{WARNING:
A convex mirror can make things, like other
vehicles, look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder before changing
lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat.
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Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Object Detection Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
The vehicle may have a Rear Vision Camera system.
Read this entire section before using it.
{WARNING:
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC) system does not
replace driver vision. RVC does not:
.Detect objects that are outside the camera's
field of view, below the bumper, or underneath
the vehicle.
.Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or pets.
Do not back the vehicle by only looking at the
RVC screen, or use the screen during longer,
higher speed backing maneuvers or where there
could be cross-traffic. Your judged distances using
the screen will differ from actual distances.
If you do not use proper care before backing up,
you could hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian, bicyclist,
or pet, resulting in vehicle damage, injury, (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
or death. Even though the vehicle has the RVC
system, always check carefully before backing up
by checking behind and around the vehicle.
The rear vision camera system is designed to help the
driver when backing up by displaying a view of the area
behind the vehicle. When the key is in the ON/RUN
position and the driver shifts the vehicle into
R (Reverse), the video image automatically appears on
the inside rear view mirror. Once the driver shifts out of
R (Reverse), the video image automatically disappears
from the inside rear view mirror.
Turning the Rear Vision Camera System Off
or On
To turn off the rear vision camera system, press and
hold
z, located on the inside rearview mirror, until the
left indicator light turns off. The rear vision camera
display is now disabled.
To turn the rear vision camera system on again, press
and hold
zuntil the left indicator light illuminates. The
rear vision camera system display is now enabled and
the display will appear in the mirror normally.
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Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
A. View displayed by the camera.
B. Corner of the rear bumper.
When the System Does Not Seem To
Work Properly
The rear vision camera system might not work properly
or display a clear image if:
.The RVC is turned off. See“Turning the Rear
Camera System On or Off” earlier in this section.
.It is dark.
.The sun or the beam of headlights is shining
directly into the camera lens.
.Ice, snow, mud, or anything else builds up on the
camera lens. Clean the lens, rinse it with water,
and wipe it with a soft cloth.
.The back of the vehicle is in an accident, the
position and mounting angle of the camera can
change or the camera can be affected. Be sure to
have the camera and its position and mounting
angle checked at your dealer.
.There are extreme temperature changes. The rear vision camera system display in the rearview
mirror may turn off or not appear as expected due to
one of the following conditions. If this occurs the left
indicator light on the mirror will flash.
.A slow flash may indicate a loss of video signal,
or no video signal present during the reverse cycle.
.A fast flash may indicate that the display has been
on for the maximum allowable time during a
reverse cycle, or the display has reached an Over
Temperature limit.
The fast flash conditions are used to protect the
video device from high temperature conditions.
Once conditions return to normal the device will
reset and the green indicator will stop flashing.
During any of these fault conditions, the display will be
blank and the indicator will continue to flash as long as
the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or until the conditions
return to normal.
Pressing and holding
zwhen the left indicator light is
flashing will turn off the video display along with the left
indicator light.
3-41

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
If the vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the
ESC might activate. SeeElectronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 5‑6.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues —such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
If the vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If the
vehicle does not have ABS, then in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release enough
pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again.
This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal
down steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long
as the wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving. After reviewing your
warranty book, please see the GM Performance Parts
website or catalog and contact the race sanctioning
bodies, for example Sports Car Club of America
(SCCA) or Grand American, for parts and equipment
required for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice: If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it would
with normal use. Low oil levels can damage the
engine. Be sure to check the oil level often during
competitive driving and keep the level at or near the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, see Engine Oil on page 6‑16.
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Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired—by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
.Drive defensively.
.Do not drink and drive.
.Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
.Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light
up so much road ahead.
.Watch for animals.
.When tired, pull off the road.
.Do not wear sunglasses.
.Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
.Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean —inside and out.
.Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and
affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive
slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and deep‐standing or
flowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal
until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
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Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find a safe
place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in
these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{WARNING:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in gear when
going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that
let you stay in your own lane.
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Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program
on page 8‑6.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasherson
page 4‑3.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{WARNING:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3‑34.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
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Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand
to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also flash, telling other drivers the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other drivers
are seeing the signal when they are not. It is important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
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