
Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing the vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information
on
page 8‑14.
{WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might add to or change about the vehicle that could keep the airbags from
working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change the vehicle's
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or moving any parts of
the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel,
roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, front sensors, side impact sensors,
rollover sensor module, or airbag wiring can affect
the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle may have a passenger
sensing system for the right front passenger
position, which includes sensors that are part of the
passenger seat. The passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the original seat trim is
replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim,
or with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket
seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device,
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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.
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Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
Power is always supplied to the outlets. Do not
leave electrical equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the vehicle could
catch fire and cause injury or death.
Notice: Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and do not plug in
equipment that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could overload
vehicle and adapter fuses. If a problem is experienced,
see your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 6‑100.
Notice: Hanging heavy equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty. The power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such as cell phone
charge cords.
Rear Power Plug for Converters
The vehicle may have a power plug connector located
in the rear cargo area on the passenger side behind the
service panel. The power connector wiring can be
accessed by removing the service panel to begin
installation.
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Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 2‑58.
The airbag readiness light
flashes for a few seconds
when the engine is
started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also
come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑40for more information.
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Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-62
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-62
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-67
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-67
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-68
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-68
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-70
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage . . . . . . 6-78
Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-78
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-80
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing theSpare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-82
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . 6-87
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-91
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-92
Interior Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-92
Fabric/Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-93
Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
Care of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Weatherstrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95 Washing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Windshield and Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-97
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-99
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-99
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-99
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Headlamp Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Power Windows and Other Power Options . . . 6-100
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-101
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-101
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-104
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-107
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Black plate (100,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to the vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage the vehicle and
the damage would not be covered by the vehicle's
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Add-on equipment can drain the vehicle battery, even if
the vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the vehicle, see Servicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2‑72and
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicleon
page 2‑72.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses in the fuse
block. An electrical overload will cause the lamps to turn
off. If this happens, have the headlamp wiring checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem,
have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Fuses in the fuse block protect the power windows.
When the current load is too heavy, the fuse opens
protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed.
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Black plate (101,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and do not have
a spare fuse, you can“borrow”one that has the
same amperage. Just pick some feature of the vehicle
that you can get along without —like the radio or
cigarette lighter —and use its fuse if it is the
correct amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in the vehicle: the floor
console fuse block and the engine compartment fuse
block.
There are also one or two fuses located at the back of
the vehicle near the battery.
Floor Console Fuse Block
The floor console fuse block is located on the
passenger side of the floor console behind the forward
panel. The panel has four clips, one in each corner. Pull
the panel to disconnect the four clips, and access the
fuses. Use the fuse puller to remove fuses.
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Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-8
EDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-100
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-104
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-101
Headlamp Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-100
Power Windows and Other Power Options . . . . . .6-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-100
Electronic Immobilizer PASS-Key
®III+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Electronic Immobilizer Operation PASS-Key
®III+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . 4-31
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Engine (cont.)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active Light . . . . . 5-10
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Indicator/ Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33F
Filter Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-68
Flat Tire, Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-78
Flat Tire, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-87
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
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