I concur - I have driven in several snowstorms over the last two winters here in NJ, some as much as 6" with very little problem. The real control is the depth of the snow in relation to the front air dam, that acts as a snow plow when the snow gets too deep. I was more concerned about ripping off body parts because of piled up snow in parking lots than in driving through a few inches.

But I grew up in NY state and learned how to drive in snow with crappy old rear-wheel drive cars that had no traction, so I'm used to the snow. Last winter I drove all the way to Pittsburgh right after a massive snow storm and made it fine. The only trick was getting in and out of parking lots and driveways where the snow was piled up several feet.

 

I stand by what I said about it being the worst FWD car I've ever driven in the snow on the factory Michelins. I'm not talking about 4 or 6". Where we go on the weekends in the winter, we routinely get 12 - 18", and those tires just don't cut it. The snow tires transformed it, and were well worth the $$$.

I'm not saying anything bad about the HHR. I like it a lot and have talked a few people into them. I'm just saying the stock Michelins suck when you get snow that's taller than the bottom of bumper. Strangely enough, they're not bad on sandy two tracks, but that wasn't the question.

 

12-18" of snow is A LOT of snow. Even being from Wisconsin, I only see that much snow once in a great while. If you want to easily get around in that much snow, you'd probably be better off with a 4X4 vehicle anyway. I've only driven in that much snow once in my life, and trust me, it was definitely a challenge. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I would think that any FWD passenger car would suck in 12-18" of snow. I don't think the average driver has to drive in that much snow very often anyway.

 

You are either a Yooper or damn near close. my FIL lives in Alba and he only measures snow by the foot.

 

Driving the HHR in the snow, What I've found out was it depended on how new the OEM tires were. From my daily driving in New England. The first year the HHR was not bad the second year the snow traction was terrible. These were the 1-6 inch snow storms not getting dumped on. A small incline would be trouble.
So for miles on the tires I would say:
0 - 20,000 = OK
20,000 - 54,000 = Not OK

I just changed tires to Cooper Zeon Sport A/S last week I hope there are better in snow for more miles.

 

Driving the HHR in the snow, What I've found out was it depended on how new the OEM tires were. From my daily driving in New England. The first year the HHR was not bad the second year the snow traction was terrible. These were the 1-6 inch snow storms not getting dumped on. A small incline would be trouble.
So for miles on the tires I would say:
0 - 20,000 = OK
20,000 - 54,000 = Not OK

I just changed tires to Cooper Zeon Sport A/S last week I hope there are better in snow for more miles.

 

I agree there is some truth to the wearing of the tires. That's why I'm finally getting the tires changed at 41K miles this weekend! Even if it is 98 degrees outside.

 

Redface... I hear ya. My only saving grace with my TB SS was it's AWD. But had same results. First year in the snow was great. Second year, not so much. Third year was horrible.... and at 30k now the tires are down to about 2/32 maybe 3/32 thanks to that AWD.

I have tire warrenty protection on mine... so I figure after I get down on tread I'll have to catch a nail or slice to the side wall every few months... LOL

 

Gas-man - Sounds like a good Idea on getting the tire protection. Wish I was thinking on that one when I bought my new ones. After 730.00 for a new set. Its taking the fun out of the next couple of weekends. Even reducing it by the price of one is a bonus.

 

Yeah I got that and GAP insurance instead of the extended warrenty. And you think $730 is bad for a set. I just replaced my rear tire (read: 1 rubber band on 1 wheel) on my bike after 11k miles. $241 for the tire, $45 to mount it (off the bike, as in I removed the rim from the bike) + tax = $300 1 tire! But needless to say I bought HD tire protection (good at any hd and covers EVERYTHING) now at an additional $500 for 5 yrs. So that was a $800 tire!!!!!!!!!! But I won't have to buy anymore for 5yrs! The nail theory idea was given to me by my buds at some un named dealership.