Manual Transmissions
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2008
Posts: 618
From: Westerville, Ohio
If you remove the shift boot you can see the two cables the shifter uses.
I love 5 speeds and have owned many. However, I personally think that the HHR is one of the worst shifting cars I have ever owned. I even installed a TWM short shifter (first one to do it, and I helped to write there instructions used on there web site) which is a big improvement over the one the car came with. But the shifting, especially from 4th. to 5th. is still sluggish and not very smooth. As an example, I purchased a 97 Integra for my son and it's shifting absolutely puts my HHR to shame.
Any way back to the cables. They in my opinion are the reason for the poor shifting. Chevy just doesn't have this down very well.
This is just my opinion. You may or may not agree with me. That's up to you.
I will say if you want improvement than the TWM kit goes along way in helping.
I love 5 speeds and have owned many. However, I personally think that the HHR is one of the worst shifting cars I have ever owned. I even installed a TWM short shifter (first one to do it, and I helped to write there instructions used on there web site) which is a big improvement over the one the car came with. But the shifting, especially from 4th. to 5th. is still sluggish and not very smooth. As an example, I purchased a 97 Integra for my son and it's shifting absolutely puts my HHR to shame.
Any way back to the cables. They in my opinion are the reason for the poor shifting. Chevy just doesn't have this down very well.
This is just my opinion. You may or may not agree with me. That's up to you.
I will say if you want improvement than the TWM kit goes along way in helping.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-17-2006
Posts: 6,053
From: Dallas, GA
If you remove the shift boot you can see the two cables the shifter uses.
I love 5 speeds and have owned many. However, I personally think that the HHR is one of the worst shifting cars I have ever owned. I even installed a TWM short shifter (first one to do it, and I helped to write there instructions used on there web site) which is a big improvement over the one the car came with. But the shifting, especially from 4th. to 5th. is still sluggish and not very smooth. As an example, I purchased a 97 Integra for my son and it's shifting absolutely puts my HHR to shame.
Any way back to the cables. They in my opinion are the reason for the poor shifting. Chevy just doesn't have this down very well.
This is just my opinion. You may or may not agree with me. That's up to you.
I will say if you want improvement than the TWM kit goes along way in helping.
I love 5 speeds and have owned many. However, I personally think that the HHR is one of the worst shifting cars I have ever owned. I even installed a TWM short shifter (first one to do it, and I helped to write there instructions used on there web site) which is a big improvement over the one the car came with. But the shifting, especially from 4th. to 5th. is still sluggish and not very smooth. As an example, I purchased a 97 Integra for my son and it's shifting absolutely puts my HHR to shame.
Any way back to the cables. They in my opinion are the reason for the poor shifting. Chevy just doesn't have this down very well.
This is just my opinion. You may or may not agree with me. That's up to you.
I will say if you want improvement than the TWM kit goes along way in helping.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2009
Posts: 763
From: Southern California
I am pleased with the way mine shifts. I have always felt, from day 1, it was very smooth and easy. The only problem I ever had was, when it was new, it was sometimes very diffifult to get it into second, but with use and miles that problem self resolved.
Perhaps, Rcflyboy, there is something else going on with your transmission or???
Perhaps, Rcflyboy, there is something else going on with your transmission or???
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2008
Posts: 618
From: Westerville, Ohio
As for yours and "Laco's" suggestion that I should go to the dealer to have them check my original shifter out. Well if you have read any of my past post you'll find out I already did that. What do ya think Chevy said? That's the way they are. To prove it to me they let me try out another 5-speed HHR and it was exactly the same.
Try going to the "TWM" web site and educate your self before putting down some body else.
Oh Ya. You must have one really strong pinky. Man I would love to see ya **** the HHR with it!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 10-07-2009
Posts: 79
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
This afternoon I stopped into our local Chevy Dealer, Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa. What a beautiful sight......3 new 2010's with 5 speeds, big Ferrari style shift knobs. One a black SS and 2 LS's all in one place at one time. It was more 5 speeds than I have ever seen. One was destined to a Stalterbauer Motors (spelling) in Calgary Alberta can you believe being dropped of here in Oshawa some 2000 miles away. Is the word about 5 speeds finally getting around I wondered. The serial numbers were fresh. One was 000068.
Joined: 10-12-2009
Posts: 4
From: Northport, New York
Has anyone ever seen or done a survey on the number of owners with manual transmissions? My 2009 purchased in June was the first manual transmission my dealer had ever ordered. I have only ever seen two others. I was never able to drive one before placing an order, although I did drive a Cobalt with a 5 speed I believe was a Getrag as in the HHR.
The 5 speed was a "must have" for me. My dealer had to get one from Connecticut. I'm in NY. I wish they offerred a 6 speed.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 10-07-2009
Posts: 79
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
I am pleased with the way mine shifts. I have always felt, from day 1, it was very smooth and easy. The only problem I ever had was, when it was new, it was sometimes very diffifult to get it into second, but with use and miles that problem self resolved.
Perhaps, Rcflyboy, there is something else going on with your transmission or???
Perhaps, Rcflyboy, there is something else going on with your transmission or???
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 10-07-2009
Posts: 79
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
