
Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
The passenger sensing system is designed turn on
(may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the right front passenger seat. When
the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag
to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to
remind you that the airbag is active.
For some children, including children in child restraints,
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing
system may or may not turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the person's seating
posture and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly—whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑26
for more information, including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child
Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters,
or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and
refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position on page 2‑54.
5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the
vehicle off. Then slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable,
to make sure that the vehicle seatback is not
pushing the child restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint. See Head Restraints
on
page 2‑2.
6. Restart the vehicle.
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Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,
seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well
the passenger sensing system operates. We
recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM
for your specific vehicle. See Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2‑72for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
A wet seat can affect the performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:
.The passenger sensing system may turn off the
passenger airbag when liquid is soaked into the
seat. If this happens, the off indicator will be lit,
and the airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel will also be lit.
.Liquid pooled on the seat that has not soaked in
may make it more likely that the passenger
sensing system will enable (turn on) the passenger
airbag while a child restraint or child occupant is on
the seat. If the passenger airbag is turned on, the
on indicator will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry the seat
immediately. If the airbag readiness light is lit, do not
install a child restraint or allow anyone to occupy the
seat. See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑26for
important safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat. If this is
not desired, remove the object from the seat.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper operation
of the passenger sensing system.
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Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation of the passenger
sensing system. This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent
the passenger sensing system from properly turning
off the passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System
on page 2‑66.
If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8‑2.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels
on page 6‑65for
additional important information.
Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle modified. How can I find out whether this
will affect my airbag system?
A: If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8‑2.
In addition, your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light,
safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job. See your dealer to have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip
apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get
a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See
Safety Belt Reminders
on page 4‑25for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Care of Safety
Belts
on page 6‑95.
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Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑26for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an
Airbag Inflate?
on page 2‑64. See your dealer for
service.
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{WARNING:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in your
vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not
properly protect the person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a crash. To help
make sure your restraint systems are working
properly after a crash, have them inspected and
any necessary replacements made as soon as
possible. If the vehicle has been in a crash, do you need new
safety belts or LATCH system (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary. But
the safety belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being
used during a crash, you may need new LATCH system
parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
safety belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not
being used at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the
vehicle has been in a crash, if the airbag readiness light
stays on after the vehicle is started, or while you are
driving. See
Airbag Readiness Lighton page 4‑26.
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Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Q(Lock):Press to lock all the doors. The interior
lamps turn off after all of the doors are closed.
If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC),
the parking lamps flash once to indicate locking has
occurred. If enabled through the DIC, the horn chirps to
indicate locking has occurred. See “LOCK HORN”
under DIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 4‑45for
more information.
Pressing
Qmay arm the content theft-deterrent system.
See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 3‑17.
K(Unlock): Press once to unlock the driver door.
If enabled through the DIC, the horn chirps to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See “UNLOCK HORN”under
DIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 4‑45for more
information. If
Kis pressed again within five seconds,
all remaining doors and the liftgate unlock. The interior
lamps come on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the
parking lamps flash twice to indicate unlocking has
occurred and the high beams and parking lamps may
turn on and stay on for 20 seconds or until a door is
opened. See LIGHT FLASH and EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS
under DIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 4‑45for
additional information.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release
to activate the vehicle locate feature. The horn chirps
three times and the headlamps and parking lamps flash
three times.
Press and hold
Lfor three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn chirps and the headlamps and parking
lamps flash for 30 seconds. Press
Lagain to cancel
the panic alarm.
Remote Rear Door Operation (Panel)
*: Press and hold for about one second to open the
rear driver side door.
+: Press and hold for about one second to open the
rear passenger side door.
Programming Transmitters to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle will
work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased and programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is programmed to the
vehicle, all remaining transmitters must also be
programmed. Any lost or stolen transmitters no longer
work once the new transmitter is programmed. Each
vehicle can have up to four transmitters programmed
to it.
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Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Open the liftgate by pressing the touchpad located in
the handle above the license plate. Once slightly
opened, the liftgate will rise by itself. Lamps in the rear
of the vehicle will come on, illuminating the rear cargo
area, unless the dome lamp lever is in the off position.
For more information, seeDome Lamp on page 4‑14.
Notice: If you open the liftgate without checking for
overhead obstructions such as a garage door, you
could damage the liftgate or the liftgate glass.
Always check to make sure the area above and
behind the liftgate is clear before opening it.
{WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate,
or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3‑34.
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Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
The system will arm after either of the following occur:
.30 seconds after all the doors are closed.
.60 seconds with any door open.
Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter a second
time, while all the doors are closed, to immediately arm
the system. The system still arms in 60 seconds if a
door is open. When the open door is closed, it
also arms.
The security light turns on to indicate that arming has
been initiated. Once the system is armed, the security
light flashes once every three seconds.
If the security light flashes twice per second, a door
is open.
Locking the vehicle with the manual lock knobs on the
doors will not arm the system.
Disarming the System
Disarm the system by doing any one of the following:
.Press the RKE transmitter unlock button.
.Turn the ignition on.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light stops
flashing.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed, it can be activated by either:
.Opening the driver's door or tailgate. This causes a
10 second pre-alarm chirp followed by a 30 second
full alarm of horn and lights.
.Opening any other door. This immediately causes
a full alarm of horn and lights for 30 seconds.
When an alarm event has finished, the system re-arms
itself automatically.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
To turn off the system alarm, do one of the following:
.Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter. The
system will then re-arm itself.
.Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter.
This will also disarm the system.
.Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will
also disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
The content theft security system alarm was previously
activated if three chirps sound when you press the lock
or unlock buttons on the RKE transmitter.
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Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statementon page 8‑17for
information regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry
Canada Standards RSS-210/220/310.
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem with
arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes. When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not
start and the security light comes on, there may be a
problem with your theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse, see
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
on page 6‑101. If the engine still does
not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty.
See your dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to
have a new key made. In an emergency, contact
Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance
Program
on page 8‑6, for more information.
It may be possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
“learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement
key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for programming additional
keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see your dealer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have keys
made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
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