
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet HHR Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Seats and Restraint System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-73
Features and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20 Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Object Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-50
Driving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38

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 (3,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑20.
B. Cruise Control
on page 4‑8(If Equipped).
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑23.
E. Windshield Wipers on page 4‑5.
Windshield Washer on page 4‑6.
F. Instrument Panel Storage on page 3‑42.
G. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 5‑8(If Equipped).
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). See Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) on page 5‑6.
H. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4‑27.
I. Rear Side Cargo Door Buttons (If Equipped). See Rear Side Cargo Door on page 3‑11.
J. Hood Release on page 6‑13.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑38.
L. Data Link Connector (DLC). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4‑33. M.
Horn on page 4‑3.
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 4‑79(If Equipped).
O. Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4‑14.
P. Audio System(s) on page 4‑50.
Q. Climate Control System on page 4‑18.
R. Rear Window Wiper/Washer on page 4‑7.
S. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). See Manual
Transmission Operation
on page 3‑29and
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑26.
T. Accessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4‑15(If Equipped).
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 4‑17.
U. Fog Lamps
on page 4‑13(If Equipped).
V. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
W. Glove Box on page 3‑42.
1-3

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Sensing System for Passenger
Airbag
The passenger sensing system, if equipped, will turn off
the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags and roof‐rail airbags are
not affected by this.
If the vehicle has a passenger sensing system, the
passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is started.
United StatesCanada
See Passenger Sensing System
on page 2‑66for
important information.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door
armrest.
1. Press the left or right side of the selector, located beneath the control pad, to adjust the driver or
passenger mirror.
2. Press the control pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, pull
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return to its original position.
1-10

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 2 Seats and Restraint System
Head Restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Manual Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Seat Height Adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Power Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Power Lumbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Passenger Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Split Folding Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-36
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-40 Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-42
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-54
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-61
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-63
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-64
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-64
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . 2-65
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-66
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . 2-72
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-72
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-73
Checking the Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-73
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-74
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Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Passenger Folding Seatback
Your vehicle has a front passenger seat that folds flat.
{WARNING:
If you fold the seatback forward to carry longer
objects, such as skis, be sure any such cargo is
not near an airbag. In a crash, an inflating airbag
might force that object toward a person. This
could cause severe injury or even death. Secure
objects away from the area in which an airbag
would inflate. For more information, seeWhere
Are the Airbags?
on page 2‑61and Loading the
Vehicle on page 5‑22.
{WARNING:
Things you put on this seatback can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash. Remove or secure all items before driving.
To fold the seatback, do the following: 1. Move the front passenger seat rearward to ensure there is enough room to fold the seatback forward.
See Manual Seats
on page 2‑4for more
information. The head restraint may need to be
removed if the seat is not able to be moved fully
rearward. If removing the head restraint, store it so
that it will not move while the vehicle is in motion.
2. Make sure that the seatback is in an upright position. Use the recliner lever located on the
outboard side of the seat to move the seatback to
the upright position.
2-10

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Questions and Answers About Safety
Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if Iam wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be—whether you are wearing a safety
belt or not. But your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so you canunbuckle
and get out, is muchgreater if you are belted. And
you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are
upside down.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they
work withsafety belts —not instead of them.
Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants
still have to buckle up to get the most protection.
That is true not only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other collisions. Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in a
crash —even one that is not your fault —you and
your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good driver
does not protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This section is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different rules
for smaller children and infants. If a child will be riding in
the vehicle, see Older Children
on page 2‑34orInfants
and Young Childrenon page 2‑36. Follow those rules
for everyone's protection.
2-19