Is there a way to override the traction control? I mean, aside from shifting to 1st. Can I pull a fuse to disable it? It continuously astounds me how absolutely horrid the traction control is on this car. It, by far, is more detrimental than it is helpful on snow and ice. For the 11 years I have owned this car, it has always been wretched on snow and ice, even with snow tires, and studs are illegal.

Sorry, it is a 2006. The year with all the stupid weird things that got mostly corrected in 07, apparently!

 

Since you didn't post what year HHR you are asking about, have you looked in your Owners Manual ?
The 2010 manual has a lot of info regarding TC and ESC. There is even a button (G) on the dash for turning the systems off.

 

Pushing the button turns it off. light means off.

 

I should have specified, it was late! It is a 2006 2lt, it has no button for that. The only button is either hazards or fog lights.

 

As far as I can tell the only way would be to diddle with the programming of the TCM. I can't recommend that for liability reasons.

The difference between years is that ESC/TCS became standard. Your car does not have ESC and TCS, it has ETC instead.

 

FYI. If you have no button to turn the TC off, pulling up slightly on the parking brake lever (just enough to turn on the parking brake light) should disable the TC.

 

 

Well maybe I'll see if I can pull the brake slightly, without it dragging. I just hate the traction control in this car. It's just so intrusive. I can modulate my traction with my foot, much better. Too bad there isn't a fuse I can just yank out.

 

Let us know how that works out.

That traction control was one feature that I just hated on my 2006 - having a top speed of 30 mph in blizzard conditions, with chains as well on the snows, and everyone else running 50 mph - not a fun experience. I never did have an opportunity to try the emergency brake trick.

 

Yeah, it has actually been dangerous. Been times that it has cut the power so severely and long that I have almost been hit from not being able to get moving. Turn it off, and it is so much improved.