I have had my 2011 only a few weeks and I'm noticing things that need
"improvement". I've already dealt with the air filter. Today, the doors.

Driving down the highway a few days ago there was noticeable wind noise
coming through the driver's door seal. Pulling on the door while driving proved it.
So I decided to take a look at all the door catches. Here's what I found:

It's well worth it! I doubled the quietness inside the cabin! The car "feels" tighter!
And the radio "sounds" better!

What to watch out for:

* Adjusting the catches will produce doors that will be slightly out of plumb
(the seam where the rear door meets the front door, it will be slightly out of level).
That's the tradeoff.

* Be VERY careful. Adjusting the front doors in too much will cause rear doors to bind
up on the front doors when the rear doors are opened. The tolerances are slim.
Experiment. The whole job, without the learning curve, takes about a half an hour.
You'll need a T40 bit.

Another little project on the doors: I didn't like the look of the door grab handle
(down inside the hole). It looks unfinished, like there should be something there over
the screws. So I cut some thick gray felt I had hanging around to fit the oval at the bottom.
Did that for all the doors. I have to say I think it looks pretty good. The gray is a nice accent
against the black.

 

The 1 and 2LT come with a rubber mat at the bottom of the grab handle hole.
I bought a Hertz rental 2011 last year and it was missing those mats.
I think there were some give backs to Hertz to lower the cost of the HHR's for their Fleet.
SF

 

Ok, I guess I bought a rental. But, man, talk about being cheap. That's ridiculous.

And then again, GM not providing a secure gas filler door... or was THAT a Hertz give-back, too?

 

The grab handle liners are GM pn 25874249. Dealer list is $4.75 each, a quick Google search shows them available for between $3.17 to $3.29 each.

 

Thanks for suggestion. But I'm ok with the felt. It looks good. AND it feels good on my finger tips.

By the way, about the doors on my HHR, is that a well-known issue? I'd hate to think I was just rehashing an old story.

 

Over the years I can recall the odd wind noise complaint, but it never seemed to be a widespread thing.

Usually tweakng the door fit or replacing the seals cures it.

 

I have to say, though (again), it was a lot bang for the buck. I probably reduced road noise by at least 10 decibels. No more odd, little rattles, too. The binding was a big surprise. Never expected it. If I had tried to adjust further in, I would have found myself looking at a nasty crease in my front door! Lucky break.

 

I need to adjust my drivers door, it's sitting just a little to low and to far foward. It slightly rubs on the side skirt.

 

Car wash vacuum cleaners are full of those little pads from the door pulls and cup holders. They are supposed to be in the cup holders also.

 

I would think that would be adjustable. Probably might need a second pair of hands to help out. Don't know for sure, though. I only did the 4 catches.