i know we can turn off traction control to let the front wheels spin but im talking about disabling the stability control (esp) entirely. So say if you went to do an ebrake slide in the snow the esp would not kick on and straighten the car out. I work on mercedes and its very easy to do this in the cluster, didnt know if you can for HHRs, all my searches have been dead ends.

 

Not sure if defeats all of it but on SS's if you hold down the traction control button for 20 to 30 seconds the Dic will tell you that it is turned off.
Need to do this for dyno testing or the computer wigs out and cuts power.
At least that's if remember right.

 

hold till it turns off on all SS's
awesome mode

 

Is that for ESC, as I think the OP meant? NOT traction control.

 

According to the manual, pressing and holding the ESC/TCS button from five to ten seconds disables both systems. They both come back on the next time you press and hold the button or next time you start the vehicle.

 

Not 100% true.

GM left ESP in the 'background' , for legal reasons...

You can disable it, but when it is really needed, it will 'kick' in....

I'm guessing that when something really goes crazy, the GM programming will
Know when to kick the ESP back on...

I've Had it kick back on at the top end of the track, when I got the buggy out of
Shape, ESP will flash on the 'DIC' & 'chimes' will start.

 

Simply stating what's in the manual. None of the HHRs I've dealt with had that feature so I don't have any personal experience with it......

 

I have a 2009 1LT 2.2 5sp and can confirm, holding the TC button does disable the ESC. I don't know if it will kick back on under heavy slide, as i haven't gotten to play in the snow yet.