Mine unlock when I put it in park. then again mine isnt an ss and is auto

I figured you could do this since you can on most all other chevys and alot of other brands as well. I just never actually went through and looked yet

 

Can always boot the window out...

 

Does this disable the auto lock feature?
My manual SS also locks automatically and the only way to unlock the fronts (with smoothy mod) is to hit the unlock button, or turn off the engine.

 

Try this scenario, You are driving down the highway, smoke starts pouring out from under your hood, fire burns/melts the fuse box/electrical center, vehicle has lost all electrical power. It's time to get out of this vehicle.

I don't want my son trying to climb over the front seat, back seat and then try to figure out how to get into the rear panel and actuate the manual release. I want his butt out of there. Thats why I put the pliers in the glove box.

 

ya i was thinking the same thing. i plan to put some pliers in mine or one of those small hammers to break the window.

 

I carry one of those spring loaded center punches in my glove box. It's very small (pen size) and easily breaks tempered glass. I just saw them in a NAPA store in the bargin bin for around $4. I learned this from an EMT, this is what they carry in their pockets for emergency extractions.

 

Car thieves also carry them.

 

I smoothied all four of my doors, if I'm ever in an accident or my car is on fire I'm not going to care about busting a window, I'll just hit it with the center punch and out I go. If the three kids are in there with me I guess it is survival of the fitest. Just kidding I'll get them out somehow or I'll regret doing the smoothies for the rest of my life.

 

Haven't got my HHR yet but finding this thread interesting. You guys are saying that the only way to unlock the doors is with the (electric) door unlock switch or the pull-rod (which historically on other cars I have never really found a use for). The door handle will not, both unlock and open the door?

I was going to eliminate the pull-rod and install a small (alarm) LED in that hole since I never felt it was a useful feature (on previous vehicles). Guess it is a critical safety requirement here?

 

if your battery is dread, yes pulling the lock knob is the only way to unlock the door. they are long from the factory and wouldnt be a problem but most of us have gone to the smoothie knobs. when you lock them they are very short so they wont poke your arm but also there is not enough of it to pull it out if you needed to unlock it. if your battery is not dead its easy to just hit the unlock switch.