Winter driving blues.
01-29-2009, 06:56 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-16-2008
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 662
Winter driving blues.
I had to take her out in a whiteout / blizzard yesterday, and here are my impressions.
With the 16" Blizzaks, ABS, FWD, Positraction, and Stabilitrak, traction is superb. I was able to hit nearly 50 on unplowed, unsalted freeway when traffic permitted.
The defroster rates about a 3. It was unable to keep the windshield from icing up and the outer portions don't even get any hot air. I'm sure this is old news for HHR owners.
This may be peculiar to the SS, due to the intercooler, but I experienced mild overheating (212*F) due to ice buildup on the upper and lower grilles restricting airflow through the radiator. Most cars have an air dam under the bumper that alleviates the need for air to actually pass throught the grille for cooling. I don't know if a regular HHR without an intercooler does or not.
With the 16" Blizzaks, ABS, FWD, Positraction, and Stabilitrak, traction is superb. I was able to hit nearly 50 on unplowed, unsalted freeway when traffic permitted.
The defroster rates about a 3. It was unable to keep the windshield from icing up and the outer portions don't even get any hot air. I'm sure this is old news for HHR owners.
This may be peculiar to the SS, due to the intercooler, but I experienced mild overheating (212*F) due to ice buildup on the upper and lower grilles restricting airflow through the radiator. Most cars have an air dam under the bumper that alleviates the need for air to actually pass throught the grille for cooling. I don't know if a regular HHR without an intercooler does or not.
01-29-2009, 09:10 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-05-2008
Location: Akron Ohio
Posts: 5,464
Got mine out in Akron last night. We had over 12+ inches on top of the snow we already had.
No temp issues but I have seen 210-212 under normal driving. Todays engines do run hotter for emissions.
Just Goodyear Triple Treads here and no issues on either car yesterday. The car did get stuck in the drive but when the snow is over the air dam and bumper so your going to get that. I did back up and made a second run and got her in.
Defrost, on a rare occation I do get some ice on the left side of the windshield but I just turn it up and it is gone.
I too hit over 50+ MPH on 76 east where there were no cars around. No drama. It is kind of fun having 3 lanes covered you just take the middle make your own way and go.
The only problem is ground clearance. I had to use the snow blower at the end of the street and up 250' to my house to not push snow with the front bumper on the SS.
Have to watch the gas stations as one already lost it's canopy over the pumps. Fell on a minivan and two people.
The truth is the last snow was less but the roads were worse. Deep snow is really fun to drive in if no one is in your way.
No temp issues but I have seen 210-212 under normal driving. Todays engines do run hotter for emissions.
Just Goodyear Triple Treads here and no issues on either car yesterday. The car did get stuck in the drive but when the snow is over the air dam and bumper so your going to get that. I did back up and made a second run and got her in.
Defrost, on a rare occation I do get some ice on the left side of the windshield but I just turn it up and it is gone.
I too hit over 50+ MPH on 76 east where there were no cars around. No drama. It is kind of fun having 3 lanes covered you just take the middle make your own way and go.
The only problem is ground clearance. I had to use the snow blower at the end of the street and up 250' to my house to not push snow with the front bumper on the SS.
Have to watch the gas stations as one already lost it's canopy over the pumps. Fell on a minivan and two people.
The truth is the last snow was less but the roads were worse. Deep snow is really fun to drive in if no one is in your way.
01-29-2009, 09:14 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-16-2008
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 662
I've never seen above 205* until the ice clogged up the grilles. I have a dashhawk, so I monitor it quite a bit. It even smelled hot. I'm sure the underhood temps were high if the air circulation was restricted.
01-29-2009, 11:14 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-23-2008
Location: ny
Posts: 321
what a world of difference with proper snows on. I couldn't even get up the hill on the road leading to my house before. I have no problems blasting along comfortably at highway speeds now as long as the ground clearance is ok. Ditto on the defroster-seems like it could be better. Temps seem to stay ok for me so far.
