
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
9(Off): Turns the windshield wipers off.
8 (Mist): Single wipe, move the lever to
zand then
release it. Several wipes, hold lever on
zlonger.
As an added safety feature, if the wipers are on for
more than 15 seconds, the vehicle's headlamps turn on
automatically. They turn off 15 seconds after the wipers
are turned off.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades before using
them. If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades should be replaced.
See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑46.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Windshield Washer
To wash the windshield, press the button at the end of
the lever until the washers begin.
{WARNING:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
When the button is released, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three times or
will resume the speed being used before.
4-6

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The rear window washer/
wiper button is located on
the instrument panel
below the climate
controls.
{WARNING:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
5(Delay):Press to turn on the intermittent wiping
setting that has a longer delay.
Y(Washer Fluid): Press to wash and wipe the
window.
The rear window washer uses the same fluid reservoir
as the windshield washer. However, the rear window
washer will run out of fluid before the windshield
washer. If the windshield can be washed, but not the
rear windows, check the fluid level.
Z(Rear Wiper): Press to turn on an intermittent
setting that has a shorter delay.
To turn either of the intermittent wiper settings off, press
the opposite side of the button to turn it to the off
position. Press the button all the way down on either
side to activate an intermittent wiper setting.
4-7

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle's tires so they actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTireson page 6‑47.
.Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
.Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean —inside and outside?
.Wiper Blades: In good shape?
.Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
.Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
.Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inflated to
recommended pressure?
.Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
5-17

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-12
Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28
Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . 6-43
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-44
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-45
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . .6-46
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-47
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-48
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-57
Tire Inspection and Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60
6-1

Black plate (96,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. Approved cleaning products can be
obtained from your dealer.
If the vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish, the
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish on the vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. To help keep the paint finish looking new, keep
the vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, chrome polish may be used on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid
damaging protective trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum.
A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is
recommended for all bright metal parts.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or paper
towel soaked with windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when
cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a
buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking. Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
.Extreme dusty conditions
.Sand and salt
.Heat and sun
.Snow and ice, without proper removal
6-96

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service for
new tires be performed. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Oil Soon Message
Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑16. An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message displays,
service is required for the vehicle as soon as possible,
within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a
year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 6‑19.
When the Change Oil Soon message displays, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.
See Engine Oilon page 6‑16andEngine Oil Life
Systemon page 6‑19. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑24.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑30.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑96. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑46.
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑54.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
7-3

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
FluidAutomatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Folding Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Folding Seatback, Passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Front Console Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Front Fog Lamps Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Fuel Economy
Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-104
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-101
Windshield Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-100G
GasolineOctane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Headlamp Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and ParkingLamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Wiper Activated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
i - 6

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
PowerDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-100
Lumbar Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15 OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
R
Racing or Other Competitive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-53
Radios Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-80
Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Theft-Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-79
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14 Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Side Cargo Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-82
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-80
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-45
Replacement Parts Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-73
Replacing Restraint System Parts After aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-74
i - 10