New Wheels
Founding Member
Joined: 08-21-2005
Posts: 1,207
From: NE OH
Originally Posted by captain howdy
How would you know? 
You don't even own an HHR nor have you replaced the rims on one. All you are doing is giving an inaccurate summery of what you have read on the site and adding a little safe general knowledge (Go to a shop). You should stop giving people who actually own HHRs advice untill you own and have worked on an HHR. Right know you are just talking out your ass with no real knowledge on the subject. 
Please stay out of technical threads where you don't belong until you get a clue! 
This is you last warring. Next time you do this, you will be banned for a week. No questions asked!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 12-18-2005
Posts: 1,791
From: Middle Village, NY
Back to the topic--- Am I correct that the optional mag is 17 by 7.5? And I can go up to an 8 inch wide and still use the stock tires? And what is the stock offset, and the recommended offset to get???
Senior Member
Joined: 10-02-2005
Posts: 1,245
From: VA
Lee, both factory 17" (painted and polished) are 6.5" wide with a 42 mm offset.
If your sticking with the stock tires, going to a 7.5" or even 8" won't result in any problems.
But, stay as close to the 42 mm offset as possible. That is the most critical dimension for any wheel on the HHR. The first clearance issue that can arise, especially with lowering is at the rear upper fender lip. Look at how it extends about 1-1/4" inward and you'll see.
The only downside of wider rims that I've had over the years (& many cars) is that the rims are more prone to curb damage, because the sidewall doesn't offer as much protection. Even some of the newer tires with a rib at the bead don't have enough there to prevent the rim scraping a curb.
As for cleaning, just take a look at any rim you're considering and visualize cleaning it. Some are easy; some a pain. Sometimes the right brush can help make the job easier. Before I put aftermarket rims on my Mercedes, my brush of choice was a cheap toilet brush!
If your sticking with the stock tires, going to a 7.5" or even 8" won't result in any problems.
But, stay as close to the 42 mm offset as possible. That is the most critical dimension for any wheel on the HHR. The first clearance issue that can arise, especially with lowering is at the rear upper fender lip. Look at how it extends about 1-1/4" inward and you'll see.
The only downside of wider rims that I've had over the years (& many cars) is that the rims are more prone to curb damage, because the sidewall doesn't offer as much protection. Even some of the newer tires with a rib at the bead don't have enough there to prevent the rim scraping a curb.
As for cleaning, just take a look at any rim you're considering and visualize cleaning it. Some are easy; some a pain. Sometimes the right brush can help make the job easier. Before I put aftermarket rims on my Mercedes, my brush of choice was a cheap toilet brush!
Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2006
Posts: 129
From: Cleveland, TN
Originally Posted by JoeR
.......As for cleaning, just take a look at any rim you're considering and visualize cleaning it. Some are easy; some a pain. Sometimes the right brush can help make the job easier. Before I put aftermarket rims on my Mercedes, my brush of choice was a cheap toilet brush!
Ain't nuthin better for wheels than mother's (...IMHO...) :twothumbs
Senior Member
Joined: 12-04-2005
Posts: 174
From: Hilton (Rochester),NY
I like the part where they advise you not to put the stuff on the end because it'll sling it all over YOU! They make it seem as if it'll fix corroded aluminum wheels. Most are clear coated and using anything abrasive on them just makes matters worse as you wear down through even more clear coating.