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Snow handling

Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:05 PM
  #1  
virgil69's Avatar
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Joined: 04-30-2008
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From: Michigan
Snow handling

First off I want to aplogize if I'm repeating a post that already covers this subject but I didn't see anyway to search for it.

I'm thinking about buying an 08 HHR but have heard it does not do to well in the snow. I live in Michigan and that is an important aspect I need to consider. I have done some reading and it looks like the stock tires are not the greatest.

I was wondering what anyones experience has been with the HHR and it's stock tires in the snow.
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:13 PM
  #2  
Docwylie's Avatar
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Joined: 03-15-2007
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From: WNY
I live in Buffalo NY and just went through the first winter with my HHR using the stock Firestone's. My car also has traction control and anti-lock brakes. I had zero problems getting through the winter and this year we had a higher than normal snowfall total. By next witner my car will have approximately 35-40K miles so I will probably replace them with Goodyear Fortrera's (or the equivalent if I can't find the them in the right size). I doubt that I will go to the trouble of putting snow tires on.
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:17 PM
  #3  
monster5601's Avatar
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Joined: 01-14-2006
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From: Waterford, MI
I'm in Michigan also, between Detroit and Flint. My 2006 HHR has seen two winters, the last being with heavy snow as you know and I didn't have any issues getting around at all. If other traffic was moving, so was I.
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:22 PM
  #4  
HHR4JK's Avatar
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Joined: 03-27-2008
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From: Blue Springs Missouri
i went from a gmc sierra 4x4 to my hhr,, hesitated at first, but i had no problem getting around in the snow.....
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:28 PM
  #5  
fastsuv's Avatar
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Joined: 02-01-2006
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From: lockport,ny
I live just north of Buffalo NY in Lockport. With the 2.4L and a 5-speed, it was hard to get going in the snow with the factory tires. I bought a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks and everything changed. It has great winter traction. This was also the story on our minivans, the stock tires were somewhat OK, but the Blizzaks made them great in the snow.

Steve
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:29 PM
  #6  
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jx3
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Here's the longest running of the "Snow Handling" thread........

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/how-do-you-think-hhr-handles-snow-353/
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:41 PM
  #7  
Old Ray's Avatar
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Joined: 06-23-2007
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From: British Columbia, Canada
Hi, I live in the British Columbia Rocky Mountains between two ski hills. It is no 4x4 but with a little caution at no time this winter was there a problem, having said that, the stock tires could be better. Most of my commute is short and I am not on the highway a lot, if I was a road warrior everyday a 4x4 or all wheel drive would obviously be superior.
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 03:15 PM
  #8  
mizzouHHR's Avatar
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Joined: 01-20-2006
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From: Centralia, Missouri
Getting around in the snow with the stock Firestones was decent, if you took your time. I replaced the stock tires with Yokohama AS430s and snow and wet traction improved drastically.
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 03:45 PM
  #9  
pitbull76's Avatar
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Joined: 11-20-2006
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From: Peoria, IL
The stock tires on the 2LT (17") firestones suck in the snow, especially after a few miles. They were acceptable on mine for the first couple winters, but I got fed up with them this past winter. with 23K miles they looked fine but any semblance of snow traction was gone. Replaced them with BFgoodrich Traction T/A and it does great in the snow now.
Old May 1, 2008 | 12:24 AM
  #10  
Togma's Avatar
 
Joined: 04-25-2008
Posts: 5
From: Palmer, Alaska
So this being my 1st post and all this is good info to know. I just traded in my 1999 F-250 with the 7.3l powerstroke in it for a 2006 LS. It's an amazing thing to see my MPG go from 14-16 to over 25mpg on a bad day. I am already impressed and have only had the car for about a week. I can totally see myself replacing the stock tires with possibly th Blizzaks before next winter. The day I traded my truck in parts of Anchorage received up to 2ft of snow that day. I love the look of this vehicle and it has plenty of room for the family. Also I think my wife might ban me from these forums..... too many awesome ideas for making the car "mine". :-)

Last edited by Togma; May 1, 2008 at 12:24 AM. Reason: spelling :-(

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