We always check tires after an overnight park..

Coming into summer I have to deflate our tires here, since temps averaging about every 10 degrees warmer will cause tire PSI to increase by about 1 or 2 lbs.. Mine are spec to run @ 35 psi

Going into colder winter have to increase tire PSI to compensate for the colder temps, thus lower tire PSI, needing additional air.

 

For my understanding: the tire limits printed on the tire sidewall, do these limits apply to "cold" tires? If yes, what would be "cold"? Cold in the sense of not having been driven or rather regarding air temperature?

 

From the owners manual:
"Check the tire's inflation pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1mile (1.6km). "

 

The tire pressure on the tire sidewall is a MAX pressure. Tires fit many vehicles that use different pressures. Best to look on the drivers door jamb for your correct tire size & pressure for your vehicle.

Your HHR tires are likely between 32 psi & 35 psi, but you check your vehicle to be sure. NEVER use the tire max pressure.

 

I think you are over concerned about nothing.
Here is why.

You do not say what tire size is on the HHR so I will use the 215/55R/16 93H Standard Load which fits the LS and 1LT models.
They do not make the Original Equipment "Firestone Affinity Touring" tires in this size any more so I will use a 215/55R/16 Michelin Premier AS 93H SL as an example.

The Michelin and Firestone stock tires have a Maximum PSI of 44 lbs. and a Maximum load capacity of 1433 lbs.
If you set the tire pressure when it is reasonably cold based on the Spec's on the driver door area plate factory recommendations which in this case would be 30 or 32lbs PSI ... your tires would have to increase 13 or more PSI to create an issue.
If you find that that actually happened which is very doubtful, then you can replace the tires with 215/55R/16 97H Extra Load tires that have a Max. PSI of 51lbs and a Max Load capacity of 1609 lbs.
With this info I do not see any problem using Factory recommended tire pressures.

Your risk is for lower PSI not Higher PSI.

Silverfox

 

Higher PSI could cause handling issues, as well as a harsher ride. A couple PSI shouldn't matter, though.

 

Thanks for all your input. It's a 2LT, which came with the 215/50 R17 tires. Drivers door jamb says 240 kPa / 35 PSI for R17 tires.
My summer tires are 215/55 R16 (Michelin 215/55 R16 Pilot Primacy) on steel smoothie wheels.

From what I have read here, I should be using the recommended tire pressure for LS and 1LT models as they came with R16 tires, right? And the recommended pressure for LS and 1LT seems to be lower than for 2LT (R17)?

 

Correct my LS with the 16’s the card says 32 psi

 

I had a Toyota P/U that had a 28 psi front. Every time I went to a tire store they would put 32 PSI in them. Handling problems is an understatement, the steering was so sensitive I had trouble staying on the road.

 

My card calls for 32 PSI on my 18s.

Same experience for me, donbrew. Tire store overinflated my tires, I think it was to 37 PSI. Made for a wild ride home!