Hi there folks. I'm new to the forum, and I'm looking for some information for an HHR.

1. Any experience with the Brembo brakes? I live in the Toronto ON area, and will want to put on some winter tires. Preferrably on 16" steel rims. Will the stock 16" rims still fit with the Brembo brakes, or should I opt for the standard front disks?

2. Any experience with the Limited Slip Differential? I won't be doing any hard tire screaming launches. But I like the LSD for winter use. I have an Astro with LSD and you hardly ever notice it working except on snow where it helps a lot. I also have a Cadillac CTS with LSD, and it really locks up on wet roads going around a corner from a stop sign or light. Does the LSD on the SS have a bit of give before it locks up, or does it really bight and jump around at corners?

3. Any experience using regular 87 octane fuel in the SS? I'm going to be doing mostly highway driving from Mississauga to Markham, a distance of about 70KM each way.

4. How does the automatic perform? Is it a smooth shifting transmission with the SS, or is it a hard shifting box?

5. How does the 5speed shift? Is it fairly smooth? Does it get better or worse as it breaks in? I think I read it's a bit stiff shifting.

6. How well does the USB input work with an iPod? Is it easy and fast to navigate through all the playlists or artists?

7. Any comments on colour? My CTS is black, and I want something different. How do the blues look?

Thanks for your comments.

John.

 

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly. I have a 2008 and the 2008 does not have the USB input for the Ipod. Maybe others here can answer the questions about the manual tranny. To look what the blue colors look like, check this:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/picture-media-11/offical-blue-hhr-post-all-blues-pix-only-4382/

Oh, and by the way, the differential on the Astro is not a limited slip, it's actually a Eaton G80 locking differential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6_kOlUXYoI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8nAbg5suFw

 

Thanks.
Yes, I know that my Astro has a 'locking differential'. It is a G80.
Iit's the same RPO for my CTS, which my shop manual describes as 'Positraction Limited Slip', just like my Astro manual called it.

Not sure if the CTS and Astro are essentially the same, or different. But the CTS doesn't allow hardly any slip, where the Astro is more tollerant around corners. Might be due to weight and power advantages for the CTS.

Just looking for some idea how the LSD works with the HHR. Critical part might be the ability to use winter wheels with the Brembo's. I want a bit higher tire aspect ratio for winter tires so I don't keep ruining the fancy rims. I've already got a slightly bent on on the CTS. So if 16" wheels won't fit with Brembo's then I'll have to find an HHR without LSD package, which might mean an automatic.

What are the sales volumes for HHRs by model? My CTS was on a lot for nearly a year. Not fancy enough for some folks, but just right for me. Your HHR was sitting for 14 months as well. Are people staying away from the SS version? Afraid of turbo repairs?

Thanks.

 

 

Welcome!

 

16 inch wheels will not clear the Brembos actually most wheels wont clear them period. You could use spacers but i don't recommend it.

 

you might as well live with the stock 18" wheels, or some cheap knock-offs for winter. The Brembo's are twice as big as the factory stock calipers.
The LSD is great to have but then you get the Brembo's with that option.
Can't give anything on the Auto because I have the 5-speed.
Some people say you can use 87 octane but I would never give it a try. And, if you get the stage-1 kit they tell you and give you labels that say 91 octane only.
Mine is Aqua Blue and it is a great color. Check out my photo gallery on this site, click on the camera icon in the lower left.
As for the usb, I keep a 2gb flash drive plugged in, it holds about 36 hours of music on it. I didn't put the songs into folders so it goes through the songs by artist alphabetically. It is kind of a pain, but, who wants to sort through folders while driving. I also put my music on regular CD's in mp3 and .wma format and each cd holds about 12 hours of music at 128 bit rate. I have yet to use my radio, but I also installed a stubby antenna, so I don't know if my reception would be any good.

 

Welcome from another Toronto member. I have seen very few SS around here, and HHRs in general.
The 16" will not fit. Even some 17" wont. You need to check the backspacing and shape of the spokes carfully, a test fitting is pretty much required before buying unless it specifies fitting the SS.
Also be aware that the automatic tranny requires the engine to reduce power on starts as it doesnt handle the torque as well as the manual. The dealer installed stage kit helps with that and puts the horsepower of both manual and auto up to 290hp, a lot of SS owners are picking that up.
I have heard the USB does take a while to load songs if there is a lot of them, but then you can use the the steering wheel buttons, which really help and they may soon be legally required.
As for colour, all the SS I have seen on the road so far are red or black. I have seen a couple blue ones at the dealers though.
They are sitting on the lot for a while, there are still some 2008s around. I guess the lack of promotion and performance/wagon/retro styling isnt making for huge demand right now.

And lastly, check out www.ontariocobaltclub.com for local meets and info.

 

To everyone,

I'd like to consult to you the noise I'm hearing from my HHR. I brought it to the dealer which unfortunately does not have a warranty anymore. But they give me a free diagnosis. Noise from the steering wheel is caused by the intermediate steering shaft. Crackling noise from the left front wheel is caused by the stabilizer link. It will cost me close to $400 to have both parts replaced. Are these repairs necessary? Are these critical to vehicle safety? If I ignore these symptoms, am I looking at future major problems? Need advice. Thanks to all!

bluey32209

 

I sent you a PM about your steering problem.