Well...I have finally decided to take Smoke to the dealer and have a few issues resolved. I will be dropping him off on Wednesday and hope that I'll have him back the same day.

Stopped by the dealer after work today and told them I would like the following items addressed.

1. Uneven drivers side armrest. There is that new TSB out on this and they are now replacing them with one that doesn't do that, so I figured I'd get it addressed by the dealer. The guy in the service department said they would have to order the part, but they needed to see the car before they do.

2. Growling/Noisy AC Compressor - I don't use my AC alot...and one of the reasons is because it seems abnormally noisy during use. I told him the problem was intermittent and that I wanted it corrected before the heat sets in. He said they would check it out and address any problems them found accordingly. I can see this being a problem, since it's only an intermittent problem.

3. Windows freezing shut when cold and not opening...sometimes for hours. He didn't seem to thing there was anything that could be done. I told him I've had lots of older cars and never had it happen, so they needed to figure out what was causing the problem and address that as well. Not sure how that will turn out either...but at least I will have it on record that it has been a problem.

Wish me luck...hopefully I'll get my car back the same day. I'm sure they will have to order any parts needed, so he'll probably have to go back again when they come in. This will be the first time he's been in the shop for anything except and oil change and to have the running boards on, so I'm a little nervous about the whole experience. The good thing about it is that the dealership is only about 30 blocks from where I work,so he won't be too far away. :lol:

I hope it goes quick... being without is horrible!

This will smokes first time away from mom.
Oh, NO! Did you get enought Valium for the both of you?
Good Luck.

Good luck Deb...hope it goes well for the two of you.:smile:

Smoke will miss you! j/k Hope all goes well

Let us know how the armrest thingy goes


Goose

Good Luck P-24, I hope you get Smoke back the Same day but if not they will have to give you a rental for free, but I hope you get Smoke Back.

Rudy Z

Sindy...Being without is the pits...hopefully that won't happen for more than the day. ;)

Thanks Karen...no valium...but I may need them if they keep him. :lol: We will both go into withdrawal if it's more than just the day. :nuts:

HB and Jesse...hope all goes well too. :smile:

Goose...you can count on me providing info on the armrest thing. ;)

Z-Man...I don't want no stinking rental...but if I have to drive something besides Smoke, I'm sure I'll survive. Hopefully they will give me something cool to drive if he has to spend the night. :smile:

Deb, I feel your pain. Mine is going back to the dealer also. Perhaps we should get a support group together.

OK...picked Smoke up from the dealer and will return when parts arrive. Here's what my sheet says:

1. Customer states that there is a growling noise from AC at times. Diagnosed and found bulletin #06-01-38-004B to replace condensor tube and evap hose. Parts ordered
#15877651 Hose
#15877652 Tube
#15991719 Clip

2. Customer states that the windows freeze shut when it is very cold outside. Unable to verify abnormal condition at this time. No repairs made (DUH...it's like 50 outside)

3. Customer states that the drivers armrest does not sit level. It is lower than it should be. Diagnosed and found bulletin #07-08-50-007 to replace armrests and parts ordered.

#15935206 Armrest
#15935261 Armrest
(not sure why there are two of these, but it indicates that the 2nd one is a special order)

Edit: Just checked post about TSB and looks like they are replacing both armrests. :smile:

Also while there, they asked about putting Nitrogen in my tires. Guess they figured since they were doing warranty work, they needed to get some money out of me somehow. Went ahead and had that done and will report any difference I feel after I drive it for a bit.

OK...picked Smoke up from the dealer and will return when parts arrive.

And now we wait. I'm still waiting on my seat part.

Good thing he came home. Maybe they will get all parts in at the same time.

So how are you feeling about how the dealer treated you? Some are so good and some are BEARS! What's the next step? Glad SMOKE is home!

I had to take my HHR in a few weeks ago for some body work (tree branch fell on the hood). They were able to fix it rather quickly. However, they did not receive the check from the insurance company when I went to pick it up and had to leave it over the weekend. I, like most of you, really love my car and did not care for the Pontiac G6 rental at all.

Just a quick tip for just about any one, never state "my old one didn't do this." As a technician when i hear that its a great reason for what we call a "Customer Education" usually the tech will look alot further into the problem if you just state the problem and leave it at that. I'm not an auto tech but i'm sure that they pretty much go by the same rules.

Deb, I had a 1993 formula that had the same problem,when it was very cold or hot the drivers side window wouldn't go down. It was a loose wire connector inside the door.. the mechanic pushed the connector togther untill it clicked togther and put the inside door panel back on... took about 30 minutes to fix.. no futher problem...

My windows freeze shut when its cold outside. From what I can tell its because the water sits at the bottom of the window on the outside and freezes between the felt and the window. I sprayed my felt and run channels with some silicone and it seemed to help. The only draw back was my windows kept smearing from the silicone for a couple of days. But its nice to see I am not the only one with the issue.

I was very pleased with how the dealer treated me. They know I'm an internet mongrel and that I belong to several HHR forums and am aware of the issues and how they have been resolved for others. The guy said he was hoping the parts were in some time next week and he would call and schedule a day when they arrived.

I was really surprised too...he asked if I needed a ride anywhere since I was leaving the car. I told him one of the guys from work had followed me up there so I didn't need transportation. He told me that when I bring it back next time, just come on up and they would have someone take me to work as long as it was within 10-15 miles. He also said they would come back and get me when the car was done too. Didn't know they did that. :smile:

They asked about putting Nitrogen in the tires while it was there, so I went ahead and had that done while he was there. Seems to ride smoother and quieter than before and it's been recommended by others, so I figured what the heck.

Will keep you guys updated and let you know when the parts are in and repairs have been made. :smile:

Deb
Did the Dealership charge you for the Nitrogen and if they did how much was it. I never heard of the Dealership asking about the Nitrogen to be put in your tires I know of other places putting it in. Is this a new service that they are now going to do. just asking

Ruzy

Yes...they charged me...but I figured what the hell...was considering it anyway. They charged me $39.95 and no tax and that covers them for the life of the tires. Think it must be a new service cuz they never mentioned it before and they know how I am when it comes to new stuff for my HHR. :lol: In the future, I'll just have them check them when I go in for oil changes and it should be all good.

Hey CHB, I am sure you are going to post your results when you get smoke back, but I will be curious if they do anything for the AC Growl!. I recently took mine in for the "Growl" and the did nothing. The service manager even came out and said the noise was normal conditions.

I used all the key words from the TSB so that when they looked it up, it would likely flag it.

In anycase, the service was so bad that I decided to not ever go back there. But I am now going to find a new service dealership and hope to have better luck.

Keep us posted!

Deb
Did the Dealership charge you for the Nitrogen and if they did how much was it. I never heard of the Dealership asking about the Nitrogen to be put in your tires I know of other places putting it in. Is this a new service that they are now going to do. just asking

Ruzy

My Dealer was just turned over to another Dealer, Buy out
Anyway this Dealer has Nitro in all cars, trucks, van, and SUV on the lot.

Just a little more abaout nitrogen in tires........


Here are a few other benefits of using Nitrogen in tires:

[1] Nitrogen is denser than Oxygen: This means the larger molecules escape less easily from tires resulting in a more gradual loss of pressure over time. According to the Michelin Tire Manual, a tire that is inflated with Nitrogen loses its pressure 3 times slower than if it were inflated with air.

[2] Nitrogen is moisture free: Pure Nitrogen inflated tires experience less steel belt and rubber degradation. Nitrogen use also reduces valve and wheel corrosion.

[3] Nitrogen provides longer tire life: Nitrogen inflated tire run cooler and require less maintenance according to the Goodyear application bulletin.

[4] Nitrogen is non-flammable: Nitrogen technology has been used in aircraft, military and race car technology for over thirty years.

Does Joe Consumer ‘Get It’?

But can we expect ‘Joe Consumer’ to start paying for this new ‘air’ anytime soon? As always, the answer is “it depends.” If enough businesses and corporations get behind the idea and promote it steadily, uniformly and explain the numerous safety and cost savings, then eventually the message should make it through.

However, you do need to be realistic – it’s still considered by Joe Consumer to be ‘new’ and anything ‘new’ is usually avoided until it becomes familiar – it’s called the product adoption process.

It’s Still Weird Science

The other point to consider here is ‘selling Nitrogen’ is still science – and most people are not that comfortable with the whole science thing. And if you recall I mentioned that regular everyday air is 78% nitrogen anyway – so what would they be paying for?

Regular air is approximately 80% nitrogen anyway, are we to believe that an extra 20% makes all the difference… Ironically we now know that the answer is yes.

A Moral Dilemma

You and I both know that if using Nitrogen means your client’s tires last longer they will save money by not having to purchase as many tires. So Nitrogen use could mean less tire sales… And that’s the moral dilemma for you. Do you want to make a few dollars on tire inflation services that might ultimately reduce your tire sales or do you want to keep on doing business the way it is now?

Make Mine A Light Air

One thing’s for sure, with regular air and ‘diet air’ (or is that Air2 with half the carbs…) Nitrogen as a tire inflation option will slowly seep into the main stream (and yes the ‘seep’ pun was intentional).

Now take a deep breath… you just inhaled 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and a few other lesser gases. Could you tell? Did it taste or smell different? That’s part of the challenge isn’t it. If regular customers are wary about the things they cannot see, what makes you think selling ‘new air’ is going to be any easier.

I joined Mike at SoCal and use helium !!

Putting "nitrogen" in the tires has got to be the biggest scam I've ever heard of--especially charging you $40 for it! It's an industry marketing gimmick.

The regular air going into your tires is made up of 80% nitrogen to begin with, any reputable shop that actually takes care of its equipment is going to have moisture traps on all the air lines, and fact is, the gas they pumped in there isn't going to be 100% nitrogen anyway! The difference in ride quality is probably just due to the fact that the tires were inflated to proper pressure.

Deb, they sold you bottled air for $40. Don't make the same mistake twice. You don't owe them any favors.

hey HHRcrafty
do you personally have any experience driving any car or vehicle w nitrogen in your tires?
if you dont, then i think ur opinion has actually no worth at all.

whoa gang....opinions about opinions, please don't go into war about this one!

You tell him M DC.

I don't think she made a mistake. It has been proven over and over that there are great benefits of using a lot of nitrogen. Why bash a good thing? Opinions are fine, but to tell someone they made mistake??? PSSSHHHTTT! Get over yourself, dude!

Putting "nitrogen" in the tires has got to be the biggest scam I've ever heard of--especially charging you $40 for it! It's an industry marketing gimmick.

The regular air going into your tires is made up of 80% nitrogen to begin with, any reputable shop that actually takes care of its equipment is going to have moisture traps on all the air lines, and fact is, the gas they pumped in there isn't going to be 100% nitrogen anyway! The difference in ride quality is probably just due to the fact that the tires were inflated to proper pressure.

Deb, they sold you bottled air for $40. Don't make the same mistake twice. You don't owe them any favors.


Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just for the record...I research everything I do on my HHR and don't just jump in on a whim. My boyfriend has been in the automotive industry for 35+ years and knows what is and isn't a scam/marketing gimmick.

I realize that I'm not going to have 100% Nitrogen in there...but it's pretty damn close at 97-98%. And...just for the record, the difference in ride quality was not due to improper inflation or pressure. I just checked them a couple days before I went to the dealer and made sure they were as recommended.

As I stated...we all have our opinions. Have you tried this yourself or ridden in someones vehicle who has or is this just an opinion you have formed based on what you have heard or read online? Bottom line...as long as I'm happy, it doesn't really matter what others think. Just expressing my opinion based on how it feels to me. ;) Besides, $40 doesn't buy what it used to and it sure beats spending money at the local tavern and having nothing to show for it besides a hangover. Been there and done that too. :lol:

You go Deb.. Glad all your issues are getting resolved.. I bought one of the readers so I can resolve "Small Issues" before I take it to the shop. I would rather replace a filter for 5 - 10 bucks than spend 150 for a shop to replace the same filter. I guess thats the Diesel Mechanic in me.

As to the nitrogen issue,as a former helicopter mechanic who used to put it in UH-60 tires and struts,the benefits of less moisture and less pressure loss over time are good.However,the difference in ride quality after putting it into tires on a vehicle is probably imagined.If it makes you feel good after having it put into your tires,then great.But 30psi of air,helium,or nitrogen,is going to ride like 30psi of any other gas.Just my two cents.:smile:

I don't want to open a can of worms, but I agree with hhrcrafty. You are wasting your money. And yes, I do have experience with nitrogen filled tires. Costco will do it free if you are a member. There is absolutely no ride or handling benefits with nitrogen filled tires. If you are feeling any difference write it off to the placebo effect. Are there benefits? Of course there are...especially in high performance arenas, such as aircraft, race cars, etc. where factors such as flamability and stable pressure are critical. The only real "benefit" for the average consumer is possibly longer time between loss of air pressure. This is also a double edged sword, since you "think" you don't have to check the pressure as often since you are using nitrogen. I was under the impression that there would be little loss of pressure, but guess what...the tires still lost pressure and now what? Are you going to make an appointment at the dealer or run someplace to top it off with nitrogen? Not trying to stir the pot here...just my personal experience and opinions. If you are happy spending the bucks and it makes you feel better...it's your money. :bow:

You know what...I'm going to lock this thread myself after this comment if that option is available to me. It's obvious that nothing is being done about me being bashed. I'm not stupid and I resent some of the comments indicating that I am. Some people just have to go around and ruin every thread with their nasty comments. I've been here alot longer than the ones leaving their who have less than 100 posts.

If you don't want to open a can of works or stir the pot then don't. It's as simple as that.

Mods...since we can't edit or lock our own posts after a certain number of days...which I disagree with, would you please lock this thread for me. Thank you very much.

To get back on topic...Do keep us informed on how your repairs go!