Just purchased a beautifull used 2007 HHR with only 40,000 miles on it from the original owner. It's really nice and well cared car for but boy is the factory electric power steering SENSITIVE to the touch while driving down the freeway !!! Before purchasing this HHR I rented a 2010 HHR from Budget rental cars on vacation this past summer in Vegas and put over 1,400 miles on it in 10-days in Utah and Arizona and the steering sure wasn't as sensitive as my 2007. Does anyone know what the problem is ?? Are there any adjustments that can be made to "tighten" up the sterring at the dealer ?? The original 2007 HHR booklet you get a the dealer calls the steering EPS and says there are electronic sensors that adjust & react and tell the computer to adjust the steering to help control precise control and responsiveness. Well mine is just plain "too touchy" any one else out there have the same problem ?? Maybe one of my sensors is over reacting ???LOL The car has new tires and is in perfect alignment can the dealer do anything to make the steering less responsive ??? Come on fellow HHR lover's what do I do I LOVE THIS CAR !!!!

 

Check the tire pressures, overinflated tires can make an HHR seem twitchy. There is no adjustment that I know of to dial the steering assist back, it may just be a quirk of your particular HHR.

Based on my personal experience, the steering has gotten lighter since the '07's were produced, the steering in my 2011 feels like it has more boost compared to my '07. But that's just two particular units out of nearly 600,000 built.

 

Going off what 843 said, generally operating range is 28-35lbs of air for the tires.. Mine sit around 31-32 which is what they are adjusted to when I take my HHR in for oil changes.

 

Mine feels fine and it's an '07, but I wonder if the new replacement steering motor, (you know, the one we didn't get a recall for) feels different than the older version..... That may explain a difference between the years.

And I second the tire pressure check.

 

My guess is tires, and or tire pressure. I know mine, if the tires are just 2 or 3 pounds low, the car is twitchy. The handeling difference between 29 and 32 pounds of pressure is surprising. I only noticed this after I put new Michelin Hydro Edge tires on. At 32 pounds in the front tires, the car is very stable, and handles great, at 29 pounds, not so much.

 

I was just perusing the HHR shop manual that I have on CD, and the power steering assist is regulated primarily by a speed input to the Power Steering Control Module from the BCM, a torque sensor between the steering column and the intermediate shaft, and an internal temperature sensor in the electric motor. Steering assist is lessened the faster the vehicle is traveling (for reasons that should be obvious). If your HHR is ready to change lanes on the highway with just finger pressure on the steering wheel, the PSCM needs evaluation. Unless you have the proper diagnostic software, you cannot troubleshoot this somewhat dangerous condition yourself.

Get thee to a dealer after you verify the health of your tires, if the problem still persists.

 

 

Hey guys Just checked my tire pressure the tires are only at 28lbs. cold all around i'll inflate them up to 32-35lbs. and see if the very "touchy-twitchy" steerring GOES AWAY Thanks everyone from up in cold Minnesnowta I'll road test & report the results with new tire pressure

 

FWIW. Aired my tires cold to 32psi(DIC reading was also 32 all around). Went on an interstate trip of 90 miles. Checked the DIC at the end of the trip and the pressures were 36-37 psi. Weather temp was 55-60. Just thought this was interesting.

 

You have GOT to be the only person to complain about good steering response, I think I have ever heard.