
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 (12,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The front and rear dome lamps turn on when any door
is opened. To turn on all dome lamps with the doors
closed, turn the instrument panel brightness
thumbwheel located to the right of the steering wheel
and above the radio, completely to the right.
Reading Lamps
There are reading lamps located on the front and rear
dome lamps.
To turn the front reading lamps on or off, press the lamp
lens. To turn the rear reading lamps on or off, press the
button next to the lamp.
For more information, see:
.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4‑14.
.Entry/Exit Lighting on page 4‑14.
Exterior Lighting
The lever is on the left side of the steering column.
2:Turns on the headlamps, parking lamps, and
taillamps.
;: Turns on the parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO: Automatically turns on the Daytime Running
Lamps during daytime, and the headlamps, parking
lamps, and taillamps at night.
P: This position is the momentary Off/On switch for the
Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this only
works when the vehicles with an automatic transmission
are in P (Park) and vehicles with a manual transmission
have the parking brake set and the vehicle is not
moving.
1-12

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 3 Features and Controls
Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Automatic Door Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Side Cargo Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17 Theft-Deterrent Systems
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Content Theft-Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . 3-19
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Automatic Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Manual Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . 3-31
Shifting Out of Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Parking the Vehicle (Manual Transmission) . . . . 3-33
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
3-1

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Automatic Door Lock
On vehicles with power door locks, the doors
automatically lock when the shift lever is moved out
of (P) Park for a vehicle with an automatic transmission.
For a vehicle with a manual transmission, the speed
must be greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The automatic door locking feature cannot be disabled.
Programmable Automatic Door
Unlock
Your vehicle will automatically unlock all doors when the
shift lever is moved into (P) Park for a vehicle with an
automatic transmission, and when the ignition is turned
off for a vehicle with a manual transmission.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
the doors can be programmed to automatically unlock
several ways for vehicles with an automatic
transmission. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization
on
page 4‑45for more information.
Rear Door Security Locks
Vehicles with rear door security locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors from the
inside.
On vehicles with this
feature, the rear door
security locks are located
on the inside edge of
each rear door. You must
open the rear doors to
access them.
To set the security locks, do the following: 1. Insert the key into the lock below the rear door security lock label and turn it to the horizontal
position.
2. Close the door.
3. Repeat the steps for the other rear door.
3-10

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 (21,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake pedal
must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer. 9(STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/OFF):
When the
vehicle is stopped, turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF
to turn the engine off. Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 3‑24.
This position locks the steering column when the key is
removed. The key can only be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with a manual transmission, the ignition
switch can be turned to LOCK/OFF in any shift lever
position.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle is moving.
This will cause a loss of power assist in the brake and
steering systems and disable the airbags.
In an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete
power assist, requiring increased brake pedal
force.
2. Shift the vehicle to neutral. This can be done while the vehicle is moving. After shifting to neutral,
firmly apply the brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3-21

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 (23,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Column Lock Release
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
following procedure allows the ignition to be turned to
LOCK/OFF and ignition key to be removed in case of a
dead battery or low voltage battery.1. Make sure the shift lever is in P (Park).
2. Remove the cover from the bottom of the steering column.
3. Locate the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger while turning theignition key to LOCK/OFF. Remove the key.
Have the vehicle serviced at your dealer as soon as
possible.
3-23