
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.
5-15

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
.Top of hills: Be alert—something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more. If the vehicle has the
Traction Control System (TCS)
on
page 5‑8or Enhanced Traction System (ETS)on
page 5‑10, it improves the ability to accelerate on
slippery roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to
the road conditions. When driving through deep snow,
turn off the traction system to help maintain vehicle
motion at lower speeds.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 5‑4improves vehicle stability during hard stops on a
slippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than when
on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
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Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 9.6 km (6 miles). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transmission temperatures may
result and damage the vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transmission
to cool.
When towing under severe conditions such as hot
ambient temperatures or steep grades, the vehicle may
experience more transmission shifting. A COOLING
MODE ON message may also appear in the DIC. This
alerts the driver that the shifting mode is in progress
and is aiding engine cooling. See DIC Warnings and
Messages
on page 4‑40DIC Warnings and Messages
for more information.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear beforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gauge. If the
indicator is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning
to reduce engine load. See Engine Overheating
on
page 6‑28.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on
a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
5-36

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn Signal Lamp
B. Back-up LampTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 3‑11.
2. Remove the cover in the rear cargo area of the
vehicle to access the bulbs.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
5. Install a new bulb. When installing the bulb socket into the assembly, line up the tabs with the slots in
the bulb assembly.
6-44

Black plate (93,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
.Laundry detergents or dishwashing soaps with
degreasers can leave residue that streaks and
attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners, about 20 drops per
gallon (3.78 L) of water is a good guide. Use only
mild, neutral-pH soaps.
.Too much cleaner that saturates the upholstery.
.Organic solvents such as naptha, alcohol, etc. that
can damage the vehicle's interior.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be
used on floor carpet and carpeted floor mats. For any
soil, always try to remove it first with plain water or club
soda. Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the
soil as possible using one of the following techniques:
.For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a
paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper
towel until no more can be removed.
.For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible
and then vacuum.To clean:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning process that
was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or
spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness first. If the locally
cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation
may result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the
fabric or carpet.
6-93

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
A
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Accessory Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Additives, Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
AdjustmentChime Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Airbag Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-EquippedVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-72
Airbag System How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-64
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-66
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 2-72
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-64
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . 2-65
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-63
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-61
Airbags Passenger Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58 Antenna
Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 4-81
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-97
Care of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Fabric/Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-93
Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
Interior Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-92
Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Washing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Weatherstrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Windshield and Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
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Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
LightingEntry/Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Front Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Highbeam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Up-Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Loading Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Locks
Automatic Door Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 Locks (cont.)
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . 2-43
Lumbar Power Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
M
Maintenance ScheduleMaintenance Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Owner Checks and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Manual Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Message DIC Warnings and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
i - 8