Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
To program the new key:1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see
your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/ OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to the ON/RUN position within five seconds of the original
key being turned to the LOCK/OFF position.
The security light will turn off once the key has
been programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do
not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer (Automatic Transmission)
on page 5‑31or Towing a Trailer (Manual
Transmission)
on page 5‑37for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
3-20
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.
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Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for normal driving with the
automatic transmission. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power for passing and
you are:
.Going less than about 55 km/h (35 mph), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 55 km/h (35 mph), push the
accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”under
Loss of Control on page 5‑14.
I (Intermediate): This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed without using
the brakes for slight downgrades where the vehicle
would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade.
If constant upshifting or downshifting occurs while
driving up steep hills, this position can be used to
prevent repetitive types of shifts. You might choose
I (Intermediate) instead of D (Drive) when driving on
hilly, winding roads and when towing a trailer, so that
there is less shifting between gears. PERFORMANCE SHIFTING:
If the vehicle has this
feature, it can detect a change in driving patterns while
in the Intermediate position. If you make an aggressive
driving maneuver, the vehicle's transmission
automatically shifts to the lowest possible gear to
maximize vehicle performance. The vehicle will
automatically return to normal operation when you
return to normal driving patterns.
L (Low): This position reduces vehicle speed more than
I (Intermediate) without actually using the brakes. You
can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is put in L (Low), the transmission will
not shift into L (Low) until the vehicle is going slowly
enough.
Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
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Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
WARNING: (Continued)
or others could be injured. Move your hand lower
on the lever or raise the seat back so that you can
set the brake.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 4‑29.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in as
you move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime will
sound and a warning message will be displayed when
the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving
faster than 5 mph (8 km/h). See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4‑40.
Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving. If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see
Towing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission)
on page 5‑31or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on page 5‑37.
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission)
{WARNING:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.
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
.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3‑30for more
information.
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Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Shifting Out of Park (Automatic
Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever
is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
.Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park)
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is
applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
See Jump Starting
on page 6‑34for more information.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Parking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission)
Before leaving the vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
down, move the shift lever into R (Reverse), and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed in R (Reverse) with the clutch pedal pressed
down, the ignition key can be turned to LOCK/OFF, then
remove the key and release the clutch pedal. See
Manual Transmission Operation on page 3‑29.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see Towing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission)
on page 5‑31or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on page 5‑37.
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Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, seeEngine Exhaust on page 3‑34.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 3‑31.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see Towing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission)
on page 5‑31or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on page 5‑37.
3-35
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Electric Power Management
This vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM), an
advanced control system. It estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge and then adjusts the
voltage for best performance and extended life of the
battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gauge or voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads,
and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increaseengine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to
protect the vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system
automatically turns the lamp off after 20 minutes. This
prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or
MP3 player.
The accessory power outlets are located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls and at the
rear of the center console. There may be an outlet in
the rear cargo area on the passenger side.
Remove the cover to access and replace when not
in use.
4-15
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modifications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle's emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 6‑3.
This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing: A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle off, wait at least 10 seconds, and
restart the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady: An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling
the Tankon page 6‑9. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
.If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle's electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
4-34