Poor Handling
Senior Member
Joined: 02-23-2006
Posts: 2,529
From: Mesa Arizona
Originally Posted by jx3
The Firestones on mine do just fine while it's snowing.
Wait another snow comment and I have no clue how they handle in snow
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-10-2006
Posts: 110
From: Florida
I have the anti Roll bar on my HHR and I drive on I-75 in Michigan going to work and rain or shine the traffic moves at a minimum of 70. The tires might be what the problem is. I don't know.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-01-2006
Posts: 2,507
From: New London, CT USA
Originally Posted by killjoy
I have the anti Roll bar on my HHR and I drive on I-75 in Michigan going to work and rain or shine the traffic moves at a minimum of 70. The tires might be what the problem is. I don't know.
I've never been more scared in my life than when I drove in Michigan.
You do need a handling car there. The HHR is good, but maybe not good enough for the aggressive driving done in Michigan! My HHR was originally registered in Detroit, but I never drove it there, my dealer got it at an auction. Even my car did not like it there!
I am a relatively peaceful driver and the HHR works just fine for our duty. The Anti sway bar from SoCal's REALLY made the car a much better handling box.
Try tires with stiffer sidewalls and a higher speed rating. If you get ones that do not have a long tread wear life , they will be stickier in general and handle better until the snow comes.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 166
From: MI
Michigan driving is not that bad. However the HHR does not just suck in the rain, I find it very hard to keep the HHR on center, I think it is the damn electronic steering. is it possible to modify the electrontic steering to provide less power assistance?
Member
Joined: 07-10-2006
Posts: 58
From: Dago
I think "loose" steering is a Chevy trait. My wife and I regularly had to rent cars to drive to the Bay area to visit family and every time I got an Impala or Malibu I was constantly correcting. I was worn out at the end of the drive. First I thought maybe it was the individual car, but the problem was in all of them. I never found that problem in the Pontiacs. GP's & Bonne's were great drivers. Although the Buicks didn't wander they we just sort of "dead" feeling. The solid steering feel of the HHR is what helped sell me on it.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-03-2006
Posts: 882
From: Newfoundland, Canada
Originally Posted by killjoy
Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???
Can you be more specific on the issue? Tires are the likely culprit if you are talking about hydroplaning. My Mazda with Dunlops sucked so bad for that.
If it is soft steering that is likely the power "electric" rack and pinion steering. The steering on the HHR seems much more sensitive to me than any other power steering vehicle I have had. But I am used to it now so I find no problems rain or shine.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-02-2006
Posts: 164
From: Seattle
Originally Posted by killjoy
Is it just me or do all the HHR's handle terrible on the highway in the rain? I love this car but I can't remember when I had a car that was this bad. As far as I'm concerned GM let me down this time. What do you think???