
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.
2-73

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), andturn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, the shift lever must be in
P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/
OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on
page 3‑30.
The steering can bind with the wheel turned off center.
If this happens, move it from right to left while turning
the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this does not work,
then the vehicle needs service.
{WARNING:
If you have a manual transmission removing the
key from the ignition switch will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):
This position operates
some of the electrical accessories. It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
R (ON/RUN): This is the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning and indicator lights.
The switch stays in this position when the engine is
running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/
RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be
drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
/ (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition.
3-22

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. Theelectrical cord is located on the passenger side of
the vehicle near the headlamp and the radiator.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts, to prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area
where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice
on this.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, the shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are several
different positions for the
automatic transmission.
P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
3-26

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
WARNING: (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 3‑31.
If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer
(Automatic Transmission)
on page 5‑31or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)
on
page 5‑37
.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply the regular brakes first and then press the shift
lever button before the vehicle can shift from P (Park)
when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If the vehicle
cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park)
as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and then move the shift lever into another
gear. See Shifting Out of Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 3‑33. R (Reverse):
Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑21.
N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
3-27

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 4 Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Tilt Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Windshield Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Wiper Activated Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Headlamps on Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Instrument Panel Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Dome Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Electric Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Battery Run-Down Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Accessory Power Outlet(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Outlet Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . .4-22
Instrument Panel Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Speedometer and Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . 4-30
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Indicator/ Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . 4-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
4-1

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 4 Instrument Panel
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Highbeam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-38
DIC Operation and Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
DIC Warnings and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
DIC Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-50
Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-53 Using an MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-63
XM Radio Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-70
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-79
Audio Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-79
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-80
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . . . . . . . 4-81
Chime Level Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
4-2

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Instrument Panel Overview
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):Press this button
located on the instrument panel, to make the front and
rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. This warns
others that you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the flashers off.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn symbols located on
the steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
The tilt lever is located on the left side of the steering
column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull the lever up to lock in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
4-3

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal lever away from you.
This indicator light
appears on the instrument
panel cluster when the
high beams are on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
To signal to a driver in front of you that you want to
pass, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever until the
high-beam headlamps come on. Then release the lever
to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper lever is on the right side of the
steering wheel.
Move the lever to one of the following positions:
1 (High Speed): Fast wipes.
6 (Low Speed): Slow wipes.
& (Delay): Sets a delay between wipes.
6(Delay/Intermittent Speed Sensitive): When the
lever is in the delay position, turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less frequent wipes.
During intermittent wiping mode, the delay cycle time is
sensitive to vehicle speed. As the vehicle speed
increases the delay cycle time decreases and wiper
movement occurs more frequently.
4-5