I've noticed that I tend to hydroplane alot more with my HHR than I have with anyother car/truck i've owned.

 

My HHR is terrible in snow and ice also. I get stuck in my own driveway all the time and it is level ground. I have stock tires on and was hoping I didn't need to get snow tires. But after the most terrifying drive in a snowstorm last night sliding off the road three times and barely making it up the hills on the way home - I'm getting better tires on it tomorrow!

 

I have the stock Firestone Affinity tires on my HHR base model with steel wheels. I had no trouble getting through the latest dumping of Mother Nature's finest snow. Could it be your driving style is the problem? I have Firestones on my 83 Merc Marquis wagon. No probs with that car neither.

 

As mentioned earlier in this thread, please see post #8 on the following thread:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/hhrs-snow-12729/

 

The problem is not Firestone in General but the Firehawk GTA 03 that is used with the 17" rims. I just purchased a set of Firestone Destination A/T tires for my Jeep that are phenomenal in the snow and ice and were also rated very high by Tire Rack. The Firehawks however are just not up to the task. I have the same problem as everyone else with the Firehawks. No Traction, Wheel Spin, and just general bad performance on snow and ice.

 

THAT IS CORRECT!! It is the Firehawk GTA 03 that come on the 2LT....they are horrible tires....escpecially in the snow.

Get the Yokos, Michelins or Bridgestone and you will be much happier. I know I am with my Michelins Pilot Exalto A/S.

 

I recomend moving down south where it doesn't snow but once every 8-10 years and the whole town shuts down with the hint of ice

 

As for my driving style, I've lived and driven in NH winters for 30 years. Learned to drive out on the ice on Lake Winnipesaukee. Never been in an accident and never had a car with worse traction than my HHR. I like the moving south idea very much.
Thanks for the snow tire info.

 

This has been my first winter with the HHR and not wanting to spend the $$ for snows I've gambled that I can get through with the stock Firestones and Traction Control. So far, I've been doing alright and can't say that the HHR has been any better or worse than any other front-wheel drive I've owned. I run this thing in western New York where we get more than our share of snow and ice. As with any car, you have to use good winter driving skills.

I do like the sound of that suggestion to move south, though!

 

Doc, Since you have a 1LT, you probably have the Affinity tires, which most seem to think do better in the snow than the Firehawk GT03s on the LT2.