Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???:(

I've had no problems with traction/handling at all.

I drove mine on the highway last week to meet TomsHHR and had no problem in the rain. It was coming down pretty hard too the entire time, both coming and going to meet him.

Sway bar...sway bar....(sway bar). :D

Mine handles just fine in the rain. That's saying alot considering it's been raining almost 30 days straight. It only hydroplanes while doing 75 in a down pour.:lol:

Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???:(

It's not the HHR it's the tires. ;) The Firestones suck in snow and rain! :mad:

It's not the HHR it's the tires. ;) The Firestones suck in snow and rain! :mad:

The Firestones on mine do just fine while it's snowing.:lol:

I have no problem with Handling. I travel over skyway everyday.
Rain \ Snow

Has a tendency to rock in high winds on the skyway but
So do the Transports. Adjust the speed and it falls into line.

Mine handles just fine in the rain. That's saying alot considering it's been raining almost 30 days straight. It only hydroplanes while doing 75 in a down pour.:lol:
Thought only mine hydroplanes doing 70-80 while raining. It was raining today I had some fun. There was another black HHR stopped in other lane, traffic went in my lane i said hi by peeling out for a good ten seconds. I think pretty soon my low traction light is gonna stay on all the time :lol:

sounds like the poeple having trouble might want to concider........... slowing down!.....

The Firestones on mine do just fine while it's snowing.:lol:

Have to agree I love the firestones when it is snowing :nuts: :nuts:
Wait another snow comment and I have no clue how they handle in snow :banana:

I have the anti Roll bar on my HHR and I drive on I-75 in Michigan going to work and rain or shine the traffic moves at a minimum of 70. The tires might be what the problem is. I don't know.

i havnt had any problem @ all. I drove home tonight in a thunder storm with no handling problems at all

I have the anti Roll bar on my HHR and I drive on I-75 in Michigan going to work and rain or shine the traffic moves at a minimum of 70. The tires might be what the problem is. I don't know.

It's Michigan driving!:lol:
I've never been more scared in my life than when I drove in Michigan.:eek: You do need a handling car there. The HHR is good, but maybe not good enough for the aggressive driving done in Michigan!
My HHR was originally registered in Detroit, but I never drove it there, my dealer got it at an auction. Even my car did not like it there!:lol:
I am a relatively peaceful driver and the HHR works just fine for our duty. The Anti sway bar from SoCal's REALLY made the car a much better handling box.

Try tires with stiffer sidewalls and a higher speed rating. If you get ones that do not have a long tread wear life , they will be stickier in general and handle better until the snow comes.

Hey, I represent that remark!:lol: Driving is not for the meek in the Detroit area...

gives me something to look forward to at the end of the month, i'll be visiting Detroit for a day, then on to PA.... we have some pretty crazy drivers around Dallas so I should fit in... lol


CBL

Michigan driving is not that bad. However the HHR does not just suck in the rain, I find it very hard to keep the HHR on center, I think it is the damn electronic steering. is it possible to modify the electrontic steering to provide less power assistance?

I think "loose" steering is a Chevy trait. My wife and I regularly had to rent cars to drive to the Bay area to visit family and every time I got an Impala or Malibu I was constantly correcting. I was worn out at the end of the drive. First I thought maybe it was the individual car, but the problem was in all of them. I never found that problem in the Pontiacs. GP's & Bonne's were great drivers. Although the Buicks didn't wander they we just sort of "dead" feeling. The solid steering feel of the HHR is what helped sell me on it.

Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???:(


Can you be more specific on the issue? Tires are the likely culprit if you are talking about hydroplaning. My Mazda with Dunlops sucked so bad for that.

If it is soft steering that is likely the power "electric" rack and pinion steering. The steering on the HHR seems much more sensitive to me than any other power steering vehicle I have had. But I am used to it now so I find no problems rain or shine.

Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???:(
Have you checked your tire pressure ? Make sure it's at least up to the psi on the placard at the driver's door jamb. A couple of psi over wont hurt handling.

Actually I run several psi less! The HHR rides pretty rough with the specified pressure. It's a much smoother ride with slightly lowered pressure. Running higher pressures will cause more hydroplaning as well.

... Running higher pressures will cause more hydroplaning as well.:confused:

Actually the opposite is true.

Read what the experts at Tire Rack have to say HERE (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=3).

How long have those "Experts" been in the tire industry?

Depends on how you classify "low pressure" and "high pressure."

"Low" pressures under 25psi will hydroplane.

"High" pressures over 45 will hydroplane.

A "safe" range for most passenger cars is between 26-40psi - depending on vehicle weight.

How long have those "Experts" been in the tire industry?

27 years. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/whytirerack.jsp) ;) I personally trust them. :thumb:

Shouldn't the tire pressures take into consideration the geographic location of the vehicle? I would think that things such as climate, altitude, general road conditions and driving habits mighy necessitate some variation from a set standard PSI.

27 years. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/whytirerack.jsp) ;) I personally trust them. :thumb:
I 2nd that... I trust their opinions as well.
As for the HHR handling- I too noticed a lot of sway (boat-ie-ness) at highway speeds or with high winds. Lowering (w/GL's, without the swaybar), to me, seemed to eliminate the majority of this trait. I really haven't experienced what you would say is bad traction (rain, snow, etc...) due to the fact that I was used to driving a lowered Mustang GT YEAR ROUND in Michigan:eek:! By comparioson, the HHR (IMO) handles like a dream.

the correct tire pressures are located on the drivers door stickers. this is what the tire makers and the veh manufacurers have decided is best for that tire on that veh. lower pressures tend to help in wet conditions 1-2 pounds lower. higher pressures tend to help in slick conditions. m2c

I think its more of a person preferance... I contiually run my front tires at around 14 psi for the Drag Slick look/performance for those red light races to speedlimit and my rears around 60 psi so I can keep the tread in the rear at a minimum touching the ground. It make the car faster! Besides, with sooOOoo many free ways and straight roads around here WHO needs to turn? Yeah BABY!:nuts: :thumb: :lol:

I changed to the 17" wheels with a different tire (kumho asx). How can I find out the proper weight?

after reading that article (thanks) I think a few extra psi would be beneficial in New England rain...does the same apply to snow?

teech, the factory sticker for the 17's calls for 35 psi, F&R.

The Kuhmo ASX is a great tire for the bucks, great traction dry or wet, but not rated well for snow (look on Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com) for tests and feedback). I've got the same tire in an 18" and love 'em.

The best bet for those in snow areas is a narrower "winter only" tire on a spare set of wheels. Those that live in those areas can attest to that.

Shouldn't the tire pressures take into consideration the geographic location of the vehicle? I would think that things such as climate, altitude, general road conditions and driving habits mighy necessitate some variation from a set standard PSI.

Deb, you'll find some of the best and clearest answers to your questions on Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp). Some informative reading there. :thumb:

Thanks Joe...I'll be sure to check that out. Worrying about all this is so new to me, as I used to just let Henry handle all this stuff. But, now that I have a car I truly enjoy...I'm like #5 in the movie Short Circuit...I need input. :lol:

teech, the factory sticker for the 17's calls for 35 psi, F&R.

The Kuhmo ASX is a great tire for the bucks, great traction dry or wet, but not rated well for snow (look on Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com) for tests and feedback). I've got the same tire in an 18" and love 'em.

The best bet for those in snow areas is a narrower "winter only" tire on a spare set of wheels. Those that live in those areas can attest to that.

I love the ride on the tires...it was between these and pirellis and I'm glad I saved my dough. THey looks great too!

Thanks for the info...I'll give these a shot this winter and if it gets out of hand, I'll look into switching up.

In the HHR I like to run the pressure the same back to front. They were at 25PSI from the dealer. I'm moving them all to 35 to see/feel what the difference will be. I like the ride and do not want it to ride like my friend's Golf with Bilsteines and Recaro racing seats :eek: His car can turn on a dime, but the extra maintenance of welding in plates for the shock towers and dealing with all the other things such a harsh ride brings to a vehicle, gives me an example of where NOT to go :lol:

Now on the Corvair, I keep around 20 PSI in the front, sometimes 25, and 35 PSI rear. No weight in the front other than the trunk and 50 pounds plus of tools one has to carry when driving an old car. Radials were the best improvement to handling that I ever did to a Corvair. Then a rear lower handling bracket, Mistu disc brakes to the front, quick steering arms, nylon bushings here and there ( Not too many because of the harshness factor since nylon has little give and transfers the road to the frame ). Still have neoprene/rubber bushings too. Stiffer springs and shocks all around and it still gives a decent family ride.

I love controled oversteer. It's a blast going up an entrance ramp sideways:thumb:
Cars are balancing acts between ride and handling.

teech, the factory sticker for the 17's calls for 35 psi, F&R.


And that is a great pressure; if you want to rattle your teeth out! :lol:

Try dropping it to 26 or 28 - and watch the ride improve considerably!

The car only weighs 3200lbs. It doesn't need that much air for proper inflation.

On my recent 3700 mile jaunt across the US on I-40 I did have issues in the rain. The first time I was doing about 75 near Flagstaff and the steering wheel just went loose in my hands. I slowed to 60 and the steering came back. I slowed for the remainder of the rain storm and it seemed ok.

When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.

On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!

And that is a great pressure; if you want to rattle your teeth out! :lol:

Try dropping it to 26 or 28 - and watch the ride improve considerably!

The car only weighs 3200lbs. It doesn't need that much air for proper inflation.

:confused: Based on what??? Document your "opinion", please. If I wanted a super smooth ride I would have looked at a Buick or something like that.

Mine rides and handles great... actually running 40 PSI F / 35 rear.

Anyone should consider the factory recommendation the minimum. Maybe bump it up for higher speeds or loads.

Hey, Mike.... Maybe you should go to Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp) (They are "experts") and read the tire tech info there... You might actually learn something for a change!! :nuts: :nuts:

To low air presure caused the firestone ford problems. Who told them to run so low air presure, FORD on the sticker on the drivers door. Always follow tire manufacturer recomendations. They know more about tires than the auto manufacturers.

To low air presure caused the firestone ford problems. Who told them to run so low air presure, FORD on the sticker on the drivers door. Always follow tire manufacturer recomendations. They know more about tires than the auto manufacturers.

Actually not true. Manufacturers of the vehicle know the best pressure for the tires in the context of the vehicle which is arrived at in conjunction with tire manuafacturers for the particular application. The Firestone/Ford issue was a manufacturing issue first and foremost that was compounded by tire pressure.

Recommended tire pressure
The maximum tire pressure marked on the tire sidewall refers to the pressure required to carry the maximum load of the tire, and is generally not the same as the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. To find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle’s tires, refer to the information label, which is usually located on the edge of the driver’s door, or the door post or other conspicuous location. If you can’t find the information label, check your owner’s manual.

On my recent 3700 mile jaunt across the US on I-40 I did have issues in the rain. The first time I was doing about 75 near Flagstaff and the steering wheel just went loose in my hands. I slowed to 60 and the steering came back. I slowed for the remainder of the rain storm and it seemed ok.

When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.

On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!
This is what I was talking about! I have driven a lot of cars but never had this hydroplane problem like this ...except in my Corvair a loooooong time ago. I think the tires are lousy and I guess I have to blame GM in part for this because they put them on the car right?? I would have thought that they would have tested their vehicle with these tires before putting them on their car.

This is what I was talking about! I have driven a lot of cars but never had this hydroplane problem like this ...except in my Corvair a loooooong time ago. I think the tires are lousy and I guess I have to blame GM in part for this because they put them on the car right?? I would have thought that they would have tested their vehicle with these tires before putting them on their car.
There's a lot that can be stated on this topic. I guess this prospective really boils down to 'what your used to driving' and 'how you drive'. Granted, the HHR's OEM (16" or 17") wheel combo isn't (100%) the best for performance (could be lower profile and wider) NOR comfort (could be taller profile and skinny-er) -BUT- it does provide adaquate feedback and handling while at the same time providing a 'relatively' smooth ride.
One factor... if someone's used to driving a vehcile that has 100hp with 15" tiress (skinny), chances of noticing hydroplane (although they still exist) are noticably reduced. Compare this with, let say an extreme measure, a Vette (wide rear meats with big hp) and the difference is night and day. Then again- weather will play an important role...
Second factor... overall vehicle weight. The HHR is pretty light, which contributes to gas mileage, "feeling the power" (albiet ever so small), and handling. The downside is that being blown around at highway speeds and loss of traction in adverse weather.
Mix these factors together and stir gently.
Sure- there ARE better tires on the market (designed to do one thing better than another... water channels, sipped snow tires, soft rubber for grip, etc...) but OEM's typically 'try' to get the best of both worlds (handling AND wear)- which is almost always impossible! Guess this is just one driving 'characteristic' of this vehicle.
I personally think the vehicle handles GREAT, in ANY condition, but strive to drive according to the conditions (inherent from riding motorcyles over the years). Of course - I'm no 'expert'. I'm not saying anyone's a 'bad' driver, or that the HHR couldn't use better rubber... just that everyone's observations/perception on this will be different. These are just a couple 'considerations' that some people might overlook and interpret as a 'bad handling vehicle' without logically putting any thought into it.

BTW- I have 'hydoplaned' in the HHR on a couple occasions... but nothing more than what I used to do in my Probe GT- and nowhere near what I used to do in my Mustang GT.

To low air presure caused the firestone ford problems. Who told them to run so low air presure, FORD on the sticker on the drivers door. Always follow tire manufacturer recomendations. They know more about tires than the auto manufacturers.

That is a bad call; as tire manufacturers have no idea what vehicle their tire is being installed on. Vehicle weight, weight bias, vehicle load and handling dictate the proper tire pressure on any vehicle - not the tire itself.

Example: a 31x10.50-15 offroad tire will require 32psi for proper inflation on a full-sized pickup. That same tire would be extremely overinflated at that pressure on a Jeep, and running underinflated at that pressure on a large SUV (think Navigator here).

Proper tire pressure is a relative thing; relative to what vehicle the tire is installed on. :thumb:

Boy there is a lot of thrashing going on here. So I will just add a little :blah: to it. Here is prime example, my '96 Chevy C1500, Ext Cab, 5.7 auto had a Leisure Conversion Package initially. The door label indicated a 15x8 wheel with a 275/60R15 tire at 44psi F/R. Original tires were Goodyears. I swapped with BFG's with a max pressure of 36psi. I'm definatly not going to run 44psi in a tire with a max psi of 36 (same load range BTW). Later in life, everything was switched to a 255/45R18 tire/wheel with a max psi of 51. So, what do you run? You contact the tire company and ask them what is a recommendation for this tire on said vehicle. They have experts on this. The Ford/Firestone problem was a lot more Ford than Firestone as Ford was told to run those tires at xx psi and Ford though it made the Exploder :lol: ride too rough. And they elected to run them at a lower psi. Tires got hot and :censored: blew. But, the door label is a good start. I would not recommend running a lower pressure withough some good research. Max pressure on a tire is just that, the max it "can" run. But low pressure in tires, especially one that frequent on the interstate, can be dangerous.

My :2cents:

Hey! Did I remember to say I love my HHR? All I'm saying here is I like to be able to steer my car even if it is raining and I'm maaaybe driving a little too fast.......and I still think the tires SUCK:D
But I wouldn't trade my HHR for something else just because of it.

Hey! Did I remember to say I love my HHR?

DITTO:thumb:

We have two 2007 HHRs in my family. I drive an LT with the standard 16" allows and 33,000 miles on the original tires, my wife's is an LT fall special edition with 17" allows and 19,000 on the originals. Mine handles just fine in rainy conditions, but her's hydroplanes like crazy even at lower speeds, 40-45. Is it just the wider tires that are on the 17" wheels or something else?

IIRC, the 16" & 17" both have 215mm wide tires, no ?

My 2008 HHR doesn't do well in the wind or past about 75 mph. I should have my rear anti sway bar by the middle of the week. I'm hoping it will help. I love the little car but it is a challange to drive it on the highway.

I drove my HHR in a really bad rain storm for the first time. I had just changed the wiper blades, and one came loose! I got under an overpass and secured it. On the interstate, even down about 60 MPH, the car seemed entirely different from usual! It felt very tentative and insecure in its handling in a very vague and uncomfortable way. I later checked tire pressures and they were 30 all around, and am running new Firestone Serenity (?) tires on my 17 inch rims. I have now pumped them up to 35 as specified on the door jamb. I also am getting my TTR rear sway bar installed tomorrow, so I will see how it handles with sway bar in the next big rain storm. I just was surprised how insecure my HHR felt in heavy rain, as opposed to a dry road or light rain.

The low tires alone can give an un-easy feel..

I just drove from arizona to ohio over the past 2 days. I ran into rain in many places. I also got the uneasy feelin at 40-50 in a down pour I have frestones on factory 16's and run about 32 pounds all around. I have noticed in my years that road conditions have a big play on how the car feels. Either way I still love my HHR and look forward to some upgrades... :one: