How does the HHR do in snow?
#1
How does the HHR do in snow?
Hi all...I want to get a HHR and I live in NJ. We get nasty weather. I drive about 800 mile a week and I was wondering, am I crazy thinking that I can drive one all year? Right now I own a 1999 Chevy 3500 crew cab 4X4 dully diesel, and I also have a 2006 miata. I would like to sell both and just buy a HHR and use that as my only car.
The other question I have is...Did Chevy stop making them and if they did, why?
Sorry if the question sounds dumb....but people think I'm nuts for not buying a AWD or 4WD.
Thanks for all your help.
Mark
The other question I have is...Did Chevy stop making them and if they did, why?
Sorry if the question sounds dumb....but people think I'm nuts for not buying a AWD or 4WD.
Thanks for all your help.
Mark
#2
I can't help directly, but I bought an HHR to replace our FWD Aztek. The trick is to get dedicated snow tires. I never had a problem with the Aztek and I expect the same with the HHR. I live in a snowbelt area with an average of 128" a year of the white stuff.
Oh, for the HHR ending.... I am just guessing, but the platform they used was replaced (colbalt). But that is a guess.
Oh, for the HHR ending.... I am just guessing, but the platform they used was replaced (colbalt). But that is a guess.
#3
Mark,
People will tell you all season tires work just fine-maybe they will get by, but I'd def recommend dedicated snows. I have an SS (of course those tires are worse than all season in snow). I couldn't get anywhere safely and confidently with them. With snows I've never had the slightest problem, and I go upstate skiing weekly in snowstorms. I'm the guy who drove his 260Z around in the snow as a kid with bald tires, so I'm not easily intimidated. It doesn't have the clearance my truck did, but traction is fine. Most people who think you're nuts for not getting AWD/4WD probably can't drive well anyway and would rather rely on that false sense of security vs driving skills.
People will tell you all season tires work just fine-maybe they will get by, but I'd def recommend dedicated snows. I have an SS (of course those tires are worse than all season in snow). I couldn't get anywhere safely and confidently with them. With snows I've never had the slightest problem, and I go upstate skiing weekly in snowstorms. I'm the guy who drove his 260Z around in the snow as a kid with bald tires, so I'm not easily intimidated. It doesn't have the clearance my truck did, but traction is fine. Most people who think you're nuts for not getting AWD/4WD probably can't drive well anyway and would rather rely on that false sense of security vs driving skills.
#4
Thanks for the reply's guys. I was thinking that it would be a good car for all weather as long as some common sense is used. My frist car was a 1979 trans am. Drover that for years and never worried....Drove my miata in light snow...not fun but made it home.
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
#5
Thanks for the reply's guys. I was thinking that it would be a good car for all weather as long as some common sense is used. My frist car was a 1979 trans am. Drover that for years and never worried....Drove my miata in light snow...not fun but made it home.
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
#6
Thanks for the reply's guys. I was thinking that it would be a good car for all weather as long as some common sense is used. My frist car was a 1979 trans am. Drover that for years and never worried....Drove my miata in light snow...not fun but made it home.
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
Glade to hear that Im not crazy. Now I can start looking
Is 2011 the last year for the HHR?
Yes, 2011 is the last year and you may have a problem trying to find a new one. They had Killer deals on the last few available.
$3500 on LS Model
$4000 on LT models
Cash Back.....
The 2010 and 2011 have electronic traction control as standard equipt and possibly some earlier models as well. I would check out what year it became standard equipt. or at least see if it is on the HHR you are looking at.
It was an option earlier.
As far as dedicated snow tires go I would buy the Michelin X-Ice tire.
Go to the Michelin web site and check out the info.
I have them and think they are the best choice for snow.
Law hear requires all 4 wheels .. Period.
Bridgestone Blizzak is another good one but they do not wear as well.
SF
#8
THis is very good news! I will be replacing my crappy Stock Michelins with these tires and will expect the SS to do some light duty winter driving. The Jeep is down for the count right now and I'll get her running before Dec. but will drive the HHR more in the winter now.
Jim
Jim
#9
HHR's do as well in the snow as most other front wheel drive vehicles do. There are so many variable factors involved in snow driving that unequivocal statements about a particular vehicle's performance cannot reasonably be made. Good tires, slower speeds, and careful attention are what make a 2 wheel drive vehicle safe in bad weather.
#10
To me it mostly comes down to the follow issues to name a few;
1. Tire rubber compounding
2. Tread design
3. Amount of weight on drive axles/tires
3. Tire size and resulting final pounds per square inch at the contact surface.
4. Proper air pressure for max contact.
5. Driver abilities to maximize all situations that arise.
6. Have a feel for your vehicle.
7. Understand emergency control if possible
8. Common Sense and awareness
1. Tire rubber compounding
2. Tread design
3. Amount of weight on drive axles/tires
3. Tire size and resulting final pounds per square inch at the contact surface.
4. Proper air pressure for max contact.
5. Driver abilities to maximize all situations that arise.
6. Have a feel for your vehicle.
7. Understand emergency control if possible
8. Common Sense and awareness