Winter Driving
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
Pickd up my SS January 31st in the middle of a Michigan snow storm and have been impressed on how well it did in the snow even since. I am sure a true snow tire like the Blizzak would do better, but overall I was very impressed with the Pilots as I was expecting less from such a wide tire. I also have the limited slip, helps in deep snow keeping power to both wheels but should make it "break loose" easier.... Again, I was impressed on how well it did do. Never got stuck, never spun out, but did have wheel spin after full stop just to get moving.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
My GP is open on the dif and in lose gravel it will spin both but not on sticky asphalt for long distances.
Member
Joined: 11-15-2007
Posts: 40
From: Lansing, MI
In response to the original post: I have an SS and have replaced my stock pilot tires with Blizzak winter tires. 
WOW, huge difference in traction. The stock tires would slip on wet pavement and to try to get up an icy hill for example would take skill and sometimes the patience of other drivers. With the blizzaks I have plenty of traction on ice, slush, wet pavement, etc. when others do not. I wish every vehicle on the winter roads could have dedicated winter tires!
WOW, huge difference in traction. The stock tires would slip on wet pavement and to try to get up an icy hill for example would take skill and sometimes the patience of other drivers. With the blizzaks I have plenty of traction on ice, slush, wet pavement, etc. when others do not. I wish every vehicle on the winter roads could have dedicated winter tires!
Senior Member
Joined: 06-02-2008
Posts: 2,358
From: Fairport Harbor, OH
Got a good taste of it this morning.
Stock tires. No real problems except for forgetting how long it takes to stop and hearing all the ABS noises all around my head.
Did notice one irritating thing. I got behind a salt truck on the freeway and when I used the washers they cleared everything but one patch right in my line of sight. It never @#$@%@ fails!
Why can't they make the driver's side wiper work like the pass side I will never ever know.
Stock tires. No real problems except for forgetting how long it takes to stop and hearing all the ABS noises all around my head.
Did notice one irritating thing. I got behind a salt truck on the freeway and when I used the washers they cleared everything but one patch right in my line of sight. It never @#$@%@ fails!
Why can't they make the driver's side wiper work like the pass side I will never ever know.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
I find the HHR like most FWD's a no brainer in the snow to drive.
Winter tires are good to have but not required most good all season tires will get you through anything with this vehicle.
My wipers work fine but I wish I had an adjustment to control the speed of the rear wiper delay. Man does that window get dirty.
I do miss driving my old pick up and steering more with the gas than the steering wheel. I always loved RWD for the fun factor in snow driving.
I try to take back roads and unplowed roads as no one is around and I can get where I am going vs sitting in line on a interstate doing a slow speed creep. The HHR has not put a wheel wrong yet.
Winter tires are good to have but not required most good all season tires will get you through anything with this vehicle.
My wipers work fine but I wish I had an adjustment to control the speed of the rear wiper delay. Man does that window get dirty.
I do miss driving my old pick up and steering more with the gas than the steering wheel. I always loved RWD for the fun factor in snow driving.
I try to take back roads and unplowed roads as no one is around and I can get where I am going vs sitting in line on a interstate doing a slow speed creep. The HHR has not put a wheel wrong yet.