I have a 2.4 with traction control in the mountains of NC. I have a steep gravel driveway that my HHR has trouble getting up. If the tires slip or spin the engine slows and slows until I may have it "punched" all the way to the floor and the engine is only a little above an idle and the car is stopped! You may not have that concern if you deal in pavement only in your neck of the woods.

 

Can you turn it off?

 

Only by shifting into the low gear. There is no on/off button like on some other cars.

 

I like my 1LT 2.4. No TC but still get the extra HP.

 

Same here - 1LT's rule; 2.4L power - no TC.

 

I am happy with the 2.2 and using regular gas.

 

I have 2.4L 1LT WITHOUT traction control, and that's just fine with me. Our 2002 Venture minivan has traction control and I hate it for the same reason as the quote above. When driving in slippery conditions (which is often in winter here in the Buffalo area), as soon any wheelspin is detected engine power is cut back for wayyyy too long. Picture this scenario: you are pulling out into a street, there is a gap in traffic, as you continue pulling out you spin a wheel slightly, the engine power is cut back, and now you are part- way into traffic with no way to accelerate into the gap until the tractional control system"times out". Definitely produces a few seconds of concern as traffic approaches. Fortunately the Venture has a button to turn off the traction control.

Steve

 

Thanks for the info about the traction control. I did not realize it slows the vehicle. I felt traction control forced the other front wheel to engage similiar to a posi type rear. I guess you can learn something every day. I really cannot beleive that you are forced to run 90+ octane fuel in the 2.4. I felt the HHR was a susposed to be an economy type vehicle. I have an 04 SSR and it runs great on 87 octane. I'm looking at the HHR to be that extra car in the family and a winter vehicle for me.

 

I have the 2.2 auto and it's... pretty damn slow. If I were doing it over again, I would have gone with the 2.4.

 

We have a 2.2 auto and it gets around great we do mostly highway driving and have no problems passing or breaking the speed limit for that matter
I drove every engine\tranny combo available and really didn't think there was that much of a difference. So we saved the money for the 2.4 on more important things like stereo and side airbags. Just my opinion on the matter.