Since i'll probably never use the factory jack even for a flat tire,, i was wondering about safe/correct places to get a floor jack under a HHR:roll: . I know over the years cars have been a lil less of a true old fashion "frame" mentality and unless you get a spot that that'll support it, you run the risk of screwing up the underneath of a vehicle.
And since this is my first non truck in a few years i figure it's gonna be a lil different just rollin a floor jack under and hitting something capable of being supported without tweeking something.Plus the HHr/SS has less space to get a floor jack under too.

Partly asking this cuz i plan to rotate the tires myself and do a good cleaning/waxing etc on the wheels prior to wintertime driving in my neck of the woods.(and if i feel i need to get the SS up in the air a lil to do a oil change) i know most of us here have done them w/ no problem with the car on the ground, but between my tired ol spinal fused back and my ummm,:roll: size (6'1" -275'ish) that might not work in my case(might be checking on ramps that'll work also,if i don't go a jack/stand route for a oil change)

So the question is: are there decent places to jack up a HHR other than maybe the front/rear suspension spots?:confused:
I'm one of those that rather ask here than find out myself on my own instead.:bow:

If you look closely just behind the front, and just in front of the rear wheel wells, there are small arrows on the bottom of the body that indicate jack points.

These arrows are what I use to locate my jack.

Cajun

If you look closely just behind the front, and just in front of the rear wheel wells, there are small arrows on the bottom of the body that indicate jack points.

These arrows are what I use to locate my jack.

Cajun
Yup!:thumb:

I had to use our jack and spare earlier this year. We had parked the HHR at LAX while we were gone on our trip to Egypt. Came back 18 days later to find a flat tire. It was either jack it up and put on the spare or wait a half hour for AAA to show up. After 24 hours on a plane, I was ready to go home! So out came the jack.

As mentioned, the arrows make it real easy.

If you look closely just behind the front, and just in front of the rear wheel wells, there are small arrows on the bottom of the body that indicate jack points.

These arrows are what I use to locate my jack.

Cajun

Hmmm, gonna have to check that out Thanks! :thumb:
When i first saw I had this reply , i thought it said something along the lines of putting the jack saddle where the spot would be to use the factory jack, and as i found out many cars ago, usually the area used for the lil hook or whatever on a factory jack will not support a floor type jack there.Let's say after the first time, i learned the hard way(good thing the spot was easy to pull back out LOL;) )

Floor Jack adapter go to http://www.mrtool.com/browse.cfm/4,1359.html

Floor Jack adapter go to http://www.mrtool.com/browse.cfm/4,1359.html

Cool thanks!:thumb:
Gonna check into it.

I've always jacked mine up under the radiator support and under the rear axle. No problems. Now if you are wanting to lift one side at a time that would be a different story.

Since i'll probably never use the factory jack even for a flat tire,, i was wondering about safe/correct places to get a floor jack under a HHR:roll: . I know over the years cars have been a lil less of a true old fashion "frame" mentality and unless you get a spot that that'll support it, you run the risk of screwing up the underneath of a vehicle.
And since this is my first non truck in a few years i figure it's gonna be a lil different just rollin a floor jack under and hitting something capable of being supported without tweeking something.Plus the HHr/SS has less space to get a floor jack under too.

Partly asking this cuz i plan to rotate the tires myself and do a good cleaning/waxing etc on the wheels prior to wintertime driving in my neck of the woods.(and if i feel i need to get the SS up in the air a lil to do a oil change) i know most of us here have done them w/ no problem with the car on the ground, but between my tired ol spinal fused back and my ummm,:roll: size (6'1" -275'ish) that might not work in my case(might be checking on ramps that'll work also,if i don't go a jack/stand route for a oil change)

So the question is: are there decent places to jack up a HHR other than maybe the front/rear suspension spots?:confused:
I'm one of those that rather ask here than find out myself on my own instead.:bow:

As stated there our Arrows on the side of the Car, atleast on the non SS models. Also be aware if u plan on rotated tires, you have be able to reset the tire pressure system. I haven't figure it out yet.

As stated there our Arrows on the side of the Car, atleast on the non SS models. Also be aware if u plan on rotated tires, you have be able to reset the tire pressure system. I haven't figure it out yet.

This reset proceedure is on page 5-65 of my 2008 owners manual....

Cajun

Floor Jack adapter go to http://www.mrtool.com/browse.cfm/4,1359.html

Hockey Pucks work just fine. $0.99 at most sporting goods stores. :thumb:

Floor Jack adapter go to http://www.mrtool.com/browse.cfm/4,1359.html

That's what I use.

I tried using my floor jack on the lip where the factory jack is supposed to go, and the lip started to collapse, so I got the floor jack adapter.

This reset proceedure is on page 5-65 of my 2008 owners manual....

Cajun

Kinda was wondering if that would have to be done,,,

Thanks:thumb:
( My manual is on the table next to my chair,, so i'm always checking it when i think of something to learn up on.)

This is an old thread, but what I was looking for. I used my floor jack on my wife's car yesterday and bent the lip. The last time this did not happen. I am going to have to get the jack adapter that was mentioned so I do not do damage in the future.

Does anyone know how I can bend that lip safely back? A pair of vice-grips maybe? I hate working under her car as it is so low to the ground (compared to my Silverado).

Thanks!

This is an old thread, but what I was looking for. I used my floor jack on my wife's car yesterday and bent the lip. The last time this did not happen. I am going to have to get the jack adapter that was mentioned so I do not do damage in the future.

Does anyone know how I can bend that lip safely back? A pair of vice-grips maybe? I hate working under her car as it is so low to the ground (compared to my Silverado).

Thanks!
I think vice-grips should work fine.

I know what you mean about being tough to get under, I picked up a set up ramps at autozone and a couple of jack stands too. Plenty of room now.

I know what you mean about being tough to get under, I picked up a set up ramps at autozone and a couple of jack stands too. Plenty of room now.

Where do you put the jack stands?

It's good that we are all here to help each other, but use an element of caution here, even if your neighbor can offer you some good advice on the website.
But if you have to ask, maybe you shouldn't be jacking your HHR up with a floorjack.

You're dealing with the dangerous part of physics. Leverage and weight. (others are speed and impact, but that's another story).

If you are someone who owns a floorjack in the first place, you must have some element of mechanical aptitude and understanding stress points and metal fatigue should almost be of 2nd nature.

Honestly, I already rotated my tires on my SS once so far in my shop and it seemed so obvious that I really can't remember exactly where I put the floorjack or the jackstand. Same with my Caddy CTS. I just looked and did it with a careful eye if anything "moved" or became "distorted".

Yes, my doors still work fine, the gaps are still consistent and resetting the TPM was almost fun. The TPM thing was like an electronic toy game to do (it's cool when the car "blinks" to the air release and key fob).

Use caution and keep a watchful eye on the steel if you must.

Where do you put the jack stands?

As near to the jack points as I can.

Just bought "the tool". I had jacked up the rear earlier with my shiny new floor jack. Glad i didn't mess up the lip. But like 87silver said, I have mechanical experience, so I lined it up well & didn't start lifting hard until everything looked OK. It wont hurt to have the correct tool for the job though.

Just got home from work and had a look underneath my SS.

There is an area where the unibody seems to "meld" into a framelike structure that resembles a component of a traditional H frame or ladder chassis. This "frame" area can be identified by beveled "holes" about 1.5" in diameter in the center of each area. If I had to guess from a finger feel, it's about 12 to 14 gauge steel, closer to 14.

It is clear to me by the compound bends of the framework combined by the beveled holes that this was the place to lift the car. When I rotated my tires, this is the area that I used.

I bet that most oil change or tire shops that do not have a GM procedure manual for this (if there is such a thing) would probably do the same.

I think vice-grips should work fine.

I know what you mean about being tough to get under, I picked up a set up ramps at autozone and a couple of jack stands too. Plenty of room now.

Along with the vice grips I would put pieces of heater hose on the jaws to protect the paint.

Along with the vice grips I would put pieces of heater hose on the jaws to protect the paint.
Good idea. I always forget about stuff like that till I'm done.

There is an area where the unibody seems to "meld" into a framelike structure that resembles a component of a traditional H frame or ladder chassis. This "frame" area can be identified by beveled "holes" about 1.5" in diameter in the center of each area. If I had to guess from a finger feel, it's about 12 to 14 gauge steel, closer to 14.

It is clear to me by the compound bends of the framework combined by the beveled holes that this was the place to lift the car. When I rotated my tires, this is the area that I used.

I too noticed these "beefed up" areas which are just behind the front wheels and just in front of the rear wheels. I used my Sears floor jack on each of those areas when I removed each steelie the other day in order to paint them. When jacking I did not see any distortion. It is most certain that a shop is going to place their lift's pads under these areas.

Yeah, my dad and I were trying to figure out a good spot to jack it up. I'm planning on changing the oil on my own for the first time this week, and I would like to rotate the tires soon too, but I wanted him to help me now because I'll probably do it when he isn't home. I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to get under the car as-is. As for rotating the tires, that I'll wait until he's there to help. I'm not very good at lifting the entire car up....

Lift one side...then the other..

Cajun / Al

Lift one side...then the other..

Cajun / Al

Yeah, that's kinda what it looks like I'll have to do. I don't think I can slide the floor jack under the bumper anyways... And I thought my Lumina had a low ground clearance....:eek:

I have other tires I can put on temporarily as I rotate the tires. Or you could use the spare, but it's a little low. You could use a jack stand but I don't trust them while jacking up another side of the car.