Good Morning!
I am new to the forum and looking forward to discussing some issues I am having with my 08 LT. I am almost unable to drive the car in the rain at any speed above 50 because of hydro planing, it was so bad the other day that I almost spun out on the highway. My question is have you experienced the same problem and was it tire related? I bought my HHR used and am intending to replace the tires soon as they appear to be original equipment, they have 42k miles on them now and are starting to show wear, one member said he switched to Michelim but he didn't mention if they worked well in the rain/snow.

Also I am interested in the sway bars will this improve my situation and those of you who have installed them what was the difference from stock? Did you do both the front and rear? I also noted many of you use TTR sway bars but I cannot find them on the web could one of you direct me to their site?

Thank you in advance for any help/advice

Worn tires will assist in hydroplaining. Less grove depth allows more water to get under the tire lifting it up.

Sway bar will not help in this situation. They help keep the vehicle flat in cornering.

people who make tires know much , much , much more about tires than people who make vehicles....i believe many complaints about tires are because people put what is recomended by auto companies and not what is recomended by the tire's maker.....maybe the roads are made different in nc...many , or some say that the oem firehawks do not do well in rain or snow....i just changed mine with 98,000 miles on them...i drive 275 miles a day , 5-6 days a week with no problems with rain or the 2 snow storms we had this past winter....i run 40-44 psi , and the firehawks wore perfectly even across the tread......they also helped save me yesterday from a very bad accident , or maybe it was a miracle.

:banana: :welcome: :banana:

Here's the link to the TTR rear sway bar you were asking about

http://www.turbotechracing.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5148&idcategory=6261

:banana: :welcome: :banana:

Here's the link to the TTR rear sway bar you were asking about

http://www.turbotechracing.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5148&idcategory=6261

Thanks for providing that link.

http://www.progressauto.com/products/sfID1/127/sfID2/18/sfID3/75

I put one of these on my 06 HHR .

Thanks for providing that link.

Gotta support the vendors the vendors that support the site :thumb:

my experience with florida rain showed me that the factory tires are garbage in it, and I have a sway bar...

I'd say start by checking the tire pressure on your tires. Too little inflation is just as bad as too MUCH inflation. If they're worn to the point the wear bars are showing then get all 4 replaced at the same time with a good quality replacement tire. It seems to me like you're running the OE wheel/tire combo correct? If so, try the same brand OE tire that came on your HHR from the factory if they worked decently for you when they had more tread depth. If you're running an aftermaket wheel, I personally loved the Hankook K106 tire I had in my old Neon. They're a high performance tire that acted terrific in dry or wet conditions and are available in 16" and up sizes.

Later
Allex

http://www.progressauto.com/products/sfID1/127/sfID2/18/sfID3/75

I put one of these on my 06 HHR .

Small, to small...

my experience with florida rain showed me that the factory tires are garbage in it, and I have a sway bar...

:confused::confused:

I've got 46K on my originals and still adding. Are there better tires, sure, but I've got no complaints about the OEMs........... rain or shine.

I hydroplaned all over this fine coast, sucked bigtime. My new tires are almost too sticky and are fantastic in the rain, but they are LOUD, like 4 wheel drive loud.

:confused::confused:

I've got 46K on my originals and still adding. Are there better tires, sure, but I've got no complaints about the OEMs........... rain or shine.

I agree with you, Jay..

I've told this story a couple of times on PM and the telephone:

While on vacation, last year, I hit a hellacious rain storm in Albuquerque. A lady with a Ram P-U was about 200 feet in front of me. She hydro planed bad, did a couple of dough nuts and stopped in the middle lane of I40, FACING on coming traffic. Other vehicles swerved and skidded but my Firestone OEM's appeared to hold well and allow me to maneuver around her without altercation.....no hydro-planing.

Just wondering if SOME people are making judgments on the Firestone tires based on the first 20-30 minutes of a rain storm.......when the oil in the pavement migrates to the surface and is not washed away.

Just wondering if SOME people are making judgments on the Firestone tires based on the first 20-30 minutes of a rain storm.......when the oil in the pavement migrates to the surface and is not washed away.

We have the same issue here in the Sacramento area, first rain of the fall and all of that oil seeps up, can be a real nightmare.....

Fred

I agree with you, Jay..

Just wondering if SOME people are making judgments on the Firestone tires based on the first 20-30 minutes of a rain storm.......when the oil in the pavement migrates to the surface and is not washed away.

Hmmmmmm... could be, they still sucked for that 30 minutes though.:lol:

I added the sway bar to my HHR and she handles like a dream, even in the rain and snow with very low tread on my tires (getting new ones soon) I highly recommmend the TTR sway bar. :thumb:

My 2006 2LT came with Firestone Firehawk 215X50X17 tires. The handling was terrible on wet roads the more mileage the tires accumulated. I switched to BF Goodrich Traction T/As several miles ago and have had excellent results. I had them filled with Nitrogen and they ride as smoothly today after 20K miles as they did when I put them on. The wet weather drivability issue you are having is most likely your tires. Just an opinion.

http://www.progressauto.com/products/sfID1/127/sfID2/18/sfID3/75

I put one of these on my 06 HHR .

Had this one on my '07 Fall Edition......HUGE difference!!!!!!!!! Well worth the bucks............

I got new Chinese (Sumitomo) tires on my '08, now I can barely drive in the rain. The OEM tires were fine up to 55K when I had to replace them because of too many punctures. I will not purchase Sumitomo tires again!

I replaced the Firehawks with Kumho Solus KH16's in stock size. I did it for the improved ride and noise (excellent). However, they were recommended to me for their rain capabilities. I like them a lot and will buy another set someday.
That said, CatDaddy drives a TON of miles per day, and gets great service out of the stock tires. He is most likely an expert driver, which doesn't hurt when it comes to helping the tires perform to their max. God Bless, Marc

Be careful when comparing what tires work under what conditions...those that travel will immediatly understand this....roads from state to stae are massivly different...they use different materials, have different codes and requirements. Thats why you will get various results of the same tire from different places. Ive lived in FLA and its terrible in the rain..if they still have the seashell mixed hardtop its slippery as wet dogcrap! Midstate is bad for tire groves from the bigtrucks, makes the water pool up..also had a vehicle right in front of me slip, hit brakes and 360 off the road...I have problems in this state in the morning with dew on the roads...it all depends on where and when conditions..so try to ask locally when comparing...

Be careful when comparing what tires work under what conditions...those that travel will immediatly understand this....roads from state to stae are massivly different...they use different materials, have different codes and requirements. Thats why you will get various results of the same tire from different places. Ive lived in FLA and its terrible in the rain..if they still have the seashell mixed hardtop its slippery as wet dogcrap! Midstate is bad for tire groves from the bigtrucks, makes the water pool up..also had a vehicle right in front of me slip, hit brakes and 360 off the road...I have problems in this state in the morning with dew on the roads...it all depends on where and when conditions..so try to ask locally when comparing...

X2 for sure...