New Clan Member
11-28-2014, 12:24 PM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 11-28-2014
Location: Modesto CA
Posts: 18
New Clan Member
Howdy folks. My name's Dave and I live in NorCal. On Monday I bought a 2009 HHR LS with 95K miles. After not even owning a car for about four years it was a big decision, and I spent weeks shopping and comparing. I've liked the HHR since the first time one caught my eye, years ago. Everyone mentions how the HHR's design was inspired by vintage Suburbans, but I also see echoes of old Ford designs, antique Volvos, even a Morris Minor I briefly and foolishly once owned.
In the last 6 weeks I guess I've driven a dozen of them. There were some red flags connected with the one I ended up buying - 4 previous owners, fairly high mileage - but the dealer ended up giving me a 25% discount for paying cash, which was pretty irresistible. There are a couple minor mechanical issues: the turn-signal lever doesn't return to its off position, and it pulls to the right a bit. The dealer has promised to repair both these problems. Also, the digital readouts on the dash seem wonky. It'll tell me I'm getting 30mpg which seems about right, but the next time I look I'm getting 99mpg, or maybe 16. The outside temp indicator seems stuck on whatever the temp is whenever I start the car up. Maybe some folks can give me some idea of what it'll take to correct this.
I was fortunate to find a car with the paint in nearly pristine shape. Aside from a few very tiny dings, there is barely a scratch anywhere. Since I'm a retired guy with time on my hands, I am going to clay the whole thing, apply a sealer, and then wax it. It's victory red, and it really gleams.
I've been a cycling enthusiast for more than 50 years - in my small city, I've been perfectly happy to use 2 wheels for 90% of my travel. But my wife's disabled, and all the best grocery stores are across town, so the change was needed. I had it narrowed down to the 2009 HHR and a 2004 Volvo XC70. I think I made the right choice.
In the last 6 weeks I guess I've driven a dozen of them. There were some red flags connected with the one I ended up buying - 4 previous owners, fairly high mileage - but the dealer ended up giving me a 25% discount for paying cash, which was pretty irresistible. There are a couple minor mechanical issues: the turn-signal lever doesn't return to its off position, and it pulls to the right a bit. The dealer has promised to repair both these problems. Also, the digital readouts on the dash seem wonky. It'll tell me I'm getting 30mpg which seems about right, but the next time I look I'm getting 99mpg, or maybe 16. The outside temp indicator seems stuck on whatever the temp is whenever I start the car up. Maybe some folks can give me some idea of what it'll take to correct this.
I was fortunate to find a car with the paint in nearly pristine shape. Aside from a few very tiny dings, there is barely a scratch anywhere. Since I'm a retired guy with time on my hands, I am going to clay the whole thing, apply a sealer, and then wax it. It's victory red, and it really gleams.
I've been a cycling enthusiast for more than 50 years - in my small city, I've been perfectly happy to use 2 wheels for 90% of my travel. But my wife's disabled, and all the best grocery stores are across town, so the change was needed. I had it narrowed down to the 2009 HHR and a 2004 Volvo XC70. I think I made the right choice.
Last edited by dlmbrt; 11-28-2014 at 01:29 PM.
11-28-2014, 06:18 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-24-2007
Location: Seville. OH
Posts: 2,873
Welcome to the site 
Here is a good thread to read about your temperature display. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...display-20105/
The search bar at the top of the page will help you look back at older threads for help also.
Here is a good thread to read about your temperature display. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...display-20105/
The search bar at the top of the page will help you look back at older threads for help also.
11-28-2014, 08:52 PM
#4
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 11-28-2014
Location: Modesto CA
Posts: 18
Thanks for the welcome and the tip about the thread on the temp display. I'll get a few pics up once I figure out how.
EDIT: Here ya go...
EDIT: Here ya go...
Last edited by 843de; 11-29-2014 at 12:39 AM. Reason: Fixed image links...
aboard dlmbrt!
11-29-2014, 01:19 AM
#8
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
It's "Easy Peasey" as they say, when you go to your gallery, copy the "Direct Link Code" and then click in the "Insert Image" icon(looks like a postcard) when your composing your post.
Backspace over the extraneous "Http://" and then paste in the Direct Link Code, it should look like this for example....
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...pb260022sm.jpg
If you've done everything just right, you'll get your image posted up just like this....
Backspace over the extraneous "Http://" and then paste in the Direct Link Code, it should look like this for example....
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...pb260022sm.jpg
If you've done everything just right, you'll get your image posted up just like this....
and 
aboard
12-05-2014, 05:39 PM
#10
Platinum Member
Join Date: 04-09-2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 7,032
Welcome - if you don't have an owners manual, one can be downloaded here:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...s-manual-3074/
Re: the gas mileage jumping all over the place: check page 3-49 of the owners manual on changing the MPG readout from instantaneous to Average, which may be the issue for you.
And there is an easy fix for the turn signals not cancelling described here (it looks more complex than it is really): https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ts-pics-37992/ Hopefully that is the "fix" for your situation.
And once again, WELCOME!!!
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...s-manual-3074/
Re: the gas mileage jumping all over the place: check page 3-49 of the owners manual on changing the MPG readout from instantaneous to Average, which may be the issue for you.
And there is an easy fix for the turn signals not cancelling described here (it looks more complex than it is really): https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ts-pics-37992/ Hopefully that is the "fix" for your situation.
And once again, WELCOME!!!
