Hey all, looking to get an HHR soon, just need some input on what people have out there, and if you like your choice in trans.
Thanx,
Tom

Auto and I'm happy with it so far. The auto shifts are really smooth. :thumb:

Love the Auto. It has an "I" gear (for "intermediate"), which unlike a normal 2nd gear, actually changes the shift points making it more aggro. I like running around town in "I" - it adds to the fun. The auto is really fast - I'd venture to say faster than a stick...unless you're a really, really good driver.

Hope it helps,

Thats what I is for? :confused: I should have read the manual! :roll: I'll have to try it now. Thanks SoCal! :beer: Is it safe to drive in I at high speeds? :confused:

Is it safe to drive in I at high speeds? :confused:

Well, I was on the freeway at 70 today in "I" - I believe it just doesn't go into fourth gear then. But the shift points do raise dramatically! Give it a go! :thumb:

Thanks all, I appreciate it!
Tom

Thats what I is for? :confused: I should have read the manual! :roll: I'll have to try it now. Thanks SoCal! :beer: Is it safe to drive in I at high speeds? :confused:

I agree with Captain. I did not know that either. I will have to try it out now.

I'm Happy with my auto. Living in New York City having auto comes in very handy.

Love the Auto. It has an "I" gear (for "intermediate"), which unlike a normal 2nd gear, actually changes the shift points making it more aggro. I like running around town in "I" - it adds to the fun. The auto is really fast - I'd venture to say faster than a stick...unless you're a really, really good driver.

Hope it helps,

Stick is a full four mph quicker in the 1/4 than the auto.

Unless you suck at stick! :D :beer:

Stick is a full four mph quicker in the 1/4 than the auto.

Not with me driving - I guarantee it. :cool:

I've raced cars (in sanctioned events), most of my life.

Not with me driving - I guarantee it. :cool:

I've raced cars (in sanctioned events), most of my life.

Are you seriously going to argue that an auto car is faster than a manual car with similarly skilled drivers? It is a proven fact that in most cases an auto car will et better due to being much easier to launch, but a stick car will mph better. If you can launch a manual car, it will hand an auto car it's ass. There would be bus lengths between a car the mph's 100 and one that does 96.

I would never argue with you! :bow:
Let's just settle it the next time you're in town. ;)

Believe me, - I know the stats...

I ordered the 5 speed.

I find the auto to be squishy.
Being a car nut, and having restored my current fun car (1972 Chevelle...4 speed manual!) , rebuilt engines and transmissions more times than I care to count at this point, I want my 5 speed. Auto's are a pain in the rear end to deal with when they are on their way out. They're heavy, messy, and have a bazillion small parts you have to deal with.

This is not to say that any significant percentage of the people on the HHR forums are going to be diving into the guts of their transmission, just that I now have a sour taste in my mouth from my automatic transmission experiences.

I always feel like I'm not really involved with the driving when there's a production Auto transmission controlling things. Not to say all automatics are bad, they can be a hoot with a higher stall converter, shift kit, and stuck behind a big block.

However, for day to day driving, and because I don't deal with much stop and go traffic, I want control.

The answer as to which is better is really simple. Auto is more consistant for drag racing, with all of the electronic boxes that help with launching and shifting. BUT, all of the top classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock are manual). For road racing, nothing offers the precision or control of a stick.

Just for the record, I learned to drive on a stick in 1973, and most of my cars have been manual. I have done a lot of racing, including drag, road, autocross, and rally. Unfortunately, due to being runover by a drunk driver back in 1987 I lost my right leg and am forced to drive an auto. But, for an experienced driver shifting gears becomes a reflex and is no big deal in traffic.

I only went with the auto because of the remote start. Every other car I've owned has been a manual. And SoCal I'd love for you to elaborate on how you'd make up the mph difference between a manual car and your auto, just out of curiousity. I didn't know there was anymore to driving an auto than just pointing it in the right direction and stomping the pedal.

I appreciate all the feed back guys, but by no means am I looking to race this car, its more of like a (not a PT) cruiser, but I do like to have that control of the manual. Thanx again.
Tom

...SoCal I'd love for you to elaborate on how you'd make up the mph difference between a manual car and your auto, just out of curiousity. I didn't know there was anymore to driving an auto than just pointing it in the right direction and stomping the pedal...

Better yet - I'll just post my 1/4-mile times the next time I go to the track.

You take a stock 2.4 to the track SoCal? :eek: What times are you getting? Like 16s or 17s? :confused: What's your best trap speed so far? :beer:

Yeah but the HHR is not a light car. Your going to have to put alot of work into it to make it speed worthy and i'm sure fiberglass parts arent going to be cheap.

Better yet - I'll just post my 1/4-mile times the next time I go to the track.

Whatever you feel like doing. All I wanted to know is how your driving ability came into play with an auto car at the track. Like I said point it in the right direction and stomp the pedal, not much ability needed. I'm eagerly awaiting how you plan on making up the mph difference, without throwing performance mods at it.

Note: I'm talking about a stock HHR, not a built hotrod with a high stall, etc. I know they take a bit more effort.

Not considering reaction time (it only matters for winning the race and not ET) the most important aspect is the launch. You have to powerbrake the car at the starting line, and it will be trial and error to find the right RPM to bring the engine up to (a compromise between wheel spin and engine bog). Then, the acceleration must not be done to fast or the car will brake traction. Once that is determined, then it will take skill to repeat it consistantly. Plus, if the tires skid when the tranny shifts gears, then skill is required in either feathering the throttle or controlling the direction of the car.

Not considering reaction time (it only matters for winning the race and not ET) the most important aspect is the launch. You have to powerbrake the car at the starting line, and it will be trial and error to find the right RPM to bring the engine up to (a compromise between wheel spin and engine bog). Then, the acceleration must not be done to fast or the car will brake traction. Once that is determined, then it will take skill to repeat it consistantly. Plus, if the tires skid when the tranny shifts gears, then skill is required in either feathering the throttle or controlling the direction of the car.


I'm not talking et, I'm talking the mph. The mph will be roughly the same no matter how you come out of the hole. Plus the stuff you mentioned would come into effect with a high power car, a stock HHR isn't going to make enough power to break the tires loose between shifts, or really even at the lights if the track is prepped well. So none of that would matter.

Let me rephrase that; I will post my times when I take the HHR to the track.

...a stock HHR isn't going to make enough power to break the tires loose between shifts...

Mine certainly does in second. I guess you've never tried the "I" gear, eh?
"I" provides many variables in shift points, all depending on throttle position in the current gear. Experiment with it and you'll see - there's a lot more to it than "point & stomp."

But then, knowing that is how I win my races...isn't it! ;)

Let me rephrase that; I will post my times when I take the HHR to the track.

Cool! :beer: I would like to see how a HHR does at the track! :thumb:

Can you do an HHR on the Track Video?

Mine will do a burnout from a start if I step on the gas hard (not even to the floor). I bought a G-Tech2 timer a few weeks ago. I will try it out when I get a chance-it gives 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc plus if I enter the car weight it will show the HP.

Lee - I wanted to pick one of those up too. (G-Tech2)

Let me know how it works after you try it out.

I tried driving in I today and it sucked! :( My HHR was shifting between 3000 to 3500 RPM! :eek: Normaly in D it shifts at between 5000 to 6000 RPM. I hated it! :mad: I don't think I was meant for normal driving. :confused: It's definitely not for high speed driving or acceleration. :confused:

SoCal, I sure will tell you. I got mine last month when it was on sale from Escort for $119. I tried it in my Saturn before I traded it in for the HHR, and it seemed to work good. I only wish I had it back when I had my 280Z. I did a lot of work on it: engine, exhaust, lighter flywheel, and replacing metal with fiberglass (hood, fenders, headlight buckets, rear hatch) and tube bumpers. That car weighed 2708 with 1/2 tank of gas, tools, spare tire, and me in the car. I was planning on swapping the engine for a small block Chevy. (It had every suspension part replaced with a full race setup). That car was awesome.

Jeesh Lee - maybe your handle should be "Saturn2708" :eek:

I'm gonna hafta invite you over when we build our AA/Gas HHR Panel! ;)

Soooo...I've got 5 GTech Pro SS's in my eBay watch box now...guess I'll have one soon! :p:

Whatever you feel like doing. All I wanted to know is how your driving ability came into play with an auto car at the track. Like I said point it in the right direction and stomp the pedal, not much ability needed. I'm eagerly awaiting how you plan on making up the mph difference, without throwing performance mods at it.

Note: I'm talking about a stock HHR, not a built hotrod with a high stall, etc. I know they take a bit more effort.

Didn't someone in an earlier thread mention that it was ludicris to even think of an HHR as being or being built for speed? :p: I have the auto because of Lady Fenrir, who can drive a stick, but when we finally move back to Seattle, there are just tooo many hills downtown and I can see her rolling back into someone. I was raised in Montana and living on a Farm/Ranch a manual tranny is a necessity. I really think it is apples and oranges when it comes to the HHR. 1/4 times and all that are pretty irrelevant with this ride. If I was buying this vehicle for myself, I would have seriously considered the 5 speed. I guess it is healthy to debate this topic, but the main thing about the HHR is value and practicality. Looks good, very economical, and fun to drive when getting from point A to B, mannually or putting it into "D". Those are just my thoughts.... :D

Fenris :beer: :thumb:

I read the manual about the I position. It offers braking for the engine while going down downgrades where the HHR would normaly accelerate. You can also use it while going up hill to keep your auto from shifting between 3rd and 4th as much as it would in D. It actualy limits your shifts! Chevy suggest using it while driving on winding hilly roads or for towing a trailer. It sound just like 2 on any other auto transmission. I don't think I'll use it again but I had to try.

Who would of thought this would become a popular topic

I know it isn't built for speed, but sometimes I wish it had alot of power. Yesterday on my way home I was just wanting to race everyone and beat a vibe and a matrix but got whooped by a Chrysler pt cruiser turbo. :(

In time once things become available we will have more power. :D At least enough to beat a PT GT. ;) Don't kill my fantasy this time snksknr94! :D I didn't say beat a Vette! :poke: :beer:

In time once things become available we will have more power. :D At least enough to beat a PT GT. ;) Don't kill my fantasy this time snksknr94! :D I didn't say beat a Vette! :poke: :beer:

I stepped out on this thread a while ago. I'll let reality speak for itself when people start taking these things to the track. I'm going to go once, but I'm not looking forward to my first 16+ sec. and sub 100mph slip.

Just Keep in mind the enemy has:

Engine: 2.4-liter HO Turbo DOHC, 16-valve
Horsepower: 230hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque: 245ft-lb @ 2400 - 4500 rpm
Drive Type: front wheel drive
0 to 60: 7 seconds
1/4 Mile: 15.4 secs @ 92mph

I stepped out on this thread a while ago. I'll let reality speak for itself when people start taking these things to the track. I'm going to go once, but I'm not looking forward to my first 16+ sec. and sub 100mph slip.

It was a joke from the last time I was talking about making my HHR fast, not pertaing to this thread. Just a joke bro! :beer:

It was a joke from the last time I was talking about making my HHR fast, not pertaing to this thread. Just a joke bro! :beer:

I know, I could keep this thread going but decided I have better things to do.

I'm going to go once, but I'm not looking forward to my first 16+ sec. and sub 100mph slip.

I seriously doubt it would be your first! :D

I seriously doubt it would be your first! :D

Doubt it all you want but I have the stack of slips to back it up. However, I seriously doubt you're going to make up the 4 mph between the manual and auto.

Just wanted to see if you were still "in" this thread! :D

I'm sure you threw away all those sub-100mph slips anyway... :red:

Just wanted to see if you were still "in" this thread! :D

I'm sure you threw away all those sub-100mph slips anyway... :red:

Only one I can't find was for my first pass ever, when I was 17. Was something like a 15.5 at about 100 mph. All the others are sitting in my closet.

The "I" on the prndl is for putting the transmission into a gear that deactivates the traction control {if so equipped} so if you live in the snow states and you get stuck you can "rock" the car out of the snow if needed. :cool:

The "I" on the prndl is for putting the transmission into a gear that deactivates the traction control {if so equipped} so if you live in the snow states and you get stuck you can "rock" the car out of the snow if needed. :cool:

I thought thats what L did, at least acording to the manual.

I wrote a thread about how to turn off low traction http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=429

Got mine with the 5sp, manual, like to stir the pot myself. Have noticed that the rpms surge up about 500 between shifts and when I spoke with service they said that thay were supposed to do that "it helps with the smog control" Just annoys the crap out of me. I want to find out how to stop it, it wastes gas and can make the clutch wear faster. Also sounds like you can't drive stick. Has anyone else with a manual noticed this ?

Also sounds like you can't drive stick.

Who? :confused:

CH - he meant when "the rpms surge up about 500 between shifts" it sounds like ANY HHR driver can't drive a stick.

The four-speed auto in mine shifts much more efficiently than the five-speed auto I had in the ION. Plus, the remote start is a convenient benefit. On a side note, the best MPG I ever achieved in the ION was 19 MPG; the Driver Info display in my HHR claims 23.1 MPG to date, and both were/are with 100% city driving.

CH - he meant when "the rpms surge up about 500 between shifts" it sounds like ANY HHR driver can't drive a stick.
Thanks SoCalHHR, I figured if CH was that touchy I wasen't going to bother to answer,
you read it exactly right. I don't even know if he has a manual.
Back to the point has anyone with a manual trans had this problem?

I wasn't being touchy because I have an auto anyways. :p: I just read the post wrong I guess. :roll: I thought you were saying someone in particular couldn't drive stick and was wondering who, but I guess the statement was more general than that. Sorry! :bow:

I'm getting old, so I have the auto. My shifting days are over !

I'm younge and lazy which is why I drive auto

Yep... Agree with Captain & SIHHR, I also should have read the owners manual!

Wow, that's a new one on me! Can't wait to drive mine in "I" today.

Thanks Socal for bringing it to my/our attention :bow: ... main reason why I joined these HHR Forums in the first place! (learn more about my HHR every day)

Thanks, JD

Yep... Agree with Captain & SIHHR, I also should have read the owners manual!

Wow, that's a new one on me! Can't wait to drive mine in "I" today.

Thanks Socal for bringing it to my/our attention :bow: ... main reason why I joined these HHR Forums in the first place! (learn more about my HHR every day)

Thanks, JD

Well we are glad to have people like you on our sites agreeing that this is a very informative place. Welcome all that want to learn and share experiences

Sometimes the "threads" get off the subject a tad bit... however it's entertaining to read where they end up!

By the way, I tried driving in "I" yesterday (for about a minute) and didn't care for it either. Yes agreed, it is a fancy version (way) of down-shifting for hills etc.

I went with the auto-tranny for the same reason as SIHHR - I'm lazy. There are days when I wish I had the manual, especially on twisty back roads where there are no cops.

Looks like airborne is getting this post back on track :D
I have auto trans, because I am lazy also and like the remote start even if I dont use it. :confused:

I love the stick tranny!! you can have a lot more fun, but, you gotta like a manual trans. I wouldn't have it any other way!! Why don't you test drive both!!??

To me the auto rules :bow: . I am older, lazy and just love to cruise my HHR. Eventually, Chevy will put in what is needed to put the pt gt to sleep.

I'm enjoying my auto. I've had both for extended periods and with the amount of driving I do, I simply prefer the auto. 9 weeks old, 12K miles so far! Plus I like the auto-start feature!!

CBL

I am stuck as well. The HHR I drive is an automatic, and for cold days in Missouri (Mild, but still cold) it is nice, also hot days for it's leather as well. I just now learned about the I and L gears, so I'll give them a try, but ever since my stick conked out on me; and I learned to drive on it - I am very partial to the stick.

I will be in Texas by the time I get my own HHR (My mother's is the one in the signature - but consider myself 1/3 owner since we all drive each others cars) so the coldness factor won't be bad, but it will be hot, and since I love leather it might be useful for that, but I really don't mind. I love a stick, I love driving a stick and more than likely I'll be getting a stick.

So one question, for someone who knows the automatic and manual:
-When I had my last car, I noticed that the automatic version cruised in last gear at a lower RPM than my stick version (roughly 250 - 500 more RPM), so does the HHR do that as well? I will be driving a lot of highway miles and if I can get a lower RPM then I might order an automatic (Or does the engine/transmission wear about the same?) since I'll be going back and forth to Texas and Missouri (~500 miles, for family), as well as anywhere I get a gig.

Thanks!

Well, with the intake and IMCO muffler on my 2.4L, I'n running 3100rpm at 95mph....so judge for yourself.

Generally speaking, automatics have a higher final drive ratio than sticks, so yes, they usually will cruise at a lower overall rpm in the highway.

With numbers taken from GM specs:

Auto: 4th ratio: 0.68 Final Drive: 3.91 OA Ratio: 2.66

5-sp: 5th ratio: 0.69 Final Drive: 4.17 OA Ratio: 2.88

Yep, like Mike said, the auto is geared a little taller than the 5-speed.

At 60 MPH the auto will be turning about 200 RPMs less.

I gotta say I love sticks!

However, I too am lazy and like the conveniance of the auto which is what I have.

By the way, I LOVE the 'I' drive! The only problem is that it sucks up gas way too fast for me.

Tip: It's not the "I" gear that sucks up gas......it's that LEAD FOOT on the gas pedal! :lol:

Tip: It's not the "I" gear that sucks up gas......it's that LEAD FOOT on the gas pedal! :lol:

True that!

The auto is great and GM seems to have set this one up to let you have fun with it too.:thumb: