I noticed last nite in my driveway that the brake lights don't work unless the key is on.The 4 ways work but the brake lites don't.Every other vehicle iv'e owned they have worked.Anybody notice this??Are all HHR's like this??

 

I haven't noticed this with mine. I will have to check and see.

 

Yup your right. Doesnt make sense to me either.

 

Just one of those things that make HHR's special I guess, hadn't noticed or checked until I read this.

 

It's an HHR thing. I often check my lights & etc. This is the 1st Chevy I have had that needs the key on to light brake lights.

 

I have a house across the street from me and i always look for the reflection in the windows to see if my brake lites are working.I think it would be safer it you were in the brakedown lane and someone was approaching you tap the brakes to let them know you are stopped on the side of the road.I'll have to get used to it .Still am happy with my HHR.

 

I used remote start to start my car at walmart last night. When I got in my vehicle someone ran up to my window that I knew and motioned for me to put the window down. I reached over to hit the window button and it wouldn't work. I was confused for a second. Then I realized I hadn't put the key in the ignition yet lol. She thought my window was broken and wouldn't roll down. I ended up opening my door to talk to her as I couldn't locate my keys right away.

 

If you are in the breakdown lane, your 4 way flashers should be on! Stepping on the brakes stops the flashing in older vehicles. There really is no reason to have brake lights functioning unless the key is on. Have you ever been driving through a parking lot and see brake lights on and stop to let the vehicle out only to find that the driver is just waiting for someone with a foot on the brake pedal?

 

I think they should work all the time no matter what.I'll bet its an easy fix.

 

I assume that it's now done through the computer rather than the turn signal switch as it was in the old days. The hazard flashers were always mechanically connected to the turn signal switch and brake lights were also wired through the switch so the signals would flash with the brake on. Now the hazard flasher switch is in the center of the dash. It would likely be a software change.