octane CHEVROLET HHR 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 291. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
191

Service........................................................ 289
Accessories and Modications................... 289
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 290
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 290
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 291
Fuel............................................................. 291
Gasoline Octane........................................ 291
Gasoline Specications.............................. 292
California Fuel........................................... 292
Additives................................................... 292
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 293
Filling the Tank......................................... 294
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 296
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 296
Hood Release........................................... 297
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 298
Engine Oil................................................. 299
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 302
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 304
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 305
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 305
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 306
Engine Coolant.......................................... 306Pressure Cap............................................ 309
Engine Overheating................................... 309
Cooling System......................................... 312
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 316
Brakes...................................................... 317
Battery...................................................... 320
Jump Starting............................................ 320
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 327
Bulb Replacement....................................... 330
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 330
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 330
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ... 331
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 332
License Plate Lamp................................... 334
Replacement Bulbs................................... 334
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 335
Tires............................................................ 336
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 337
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 340
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 344
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 345
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
287

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your engine. You will nd the VIN at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on page 379.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine
(VIN Code D), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you may notice an
audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine
(VIN Code P), use premium unleaded gasoline
with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You
may also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration
may be slightly reduced, and you may notice a
slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you
may notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might
damage your engine. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
291

Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 292for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See
the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is
not available in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test.SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 188.If
this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may
not be covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer has additives that will help correct
and prevent most deposit-related problems.
292

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
293

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits. You will nd these limits
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 269.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 291.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on
page 393should be performed when indicated.
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 396and
Maintenance Footnotes on page 397for further
information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle
can be dangerous. In trying to do some
jobs, you can be seriously injured. Do your
own maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools
and equipment for the job. If you have any
doubt, see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer to
have a qualied technician do the work.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have
the necessary equipment, you should have your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer do these jobs.
When you go to your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for
your service needs, you will know that GM-trained
and supported service technicians will perform
the work using genuine GM parts.
392

Fuel............................................................ 291
Additives.................................................. 292
California Fuel.......................................... 292
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 296
Filling Your Tank...................................... 294
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 293
Gage....................................................... 193
Gasoline Octane...................................... 291
Gasoline Specications............................ 292
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............. 383
Floor Console Fuse Block........................ 381
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 381
Windshield Wiper..................................... 380
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 188
Fuel......................................................... 193
Speedometer........................................... 179
Tachometer.............................................. 179
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 291
Specications........................................... 292
Glove Box................................................... 143
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 417
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 154
Head Restraints............................................ 13
Headlamp
Aiming..................................................... 327
Headlamp Wiring......................................... 380
Headlamps.................................................. 163
Automatic Headlamp System.................... 165
Bulb Replacement.................................... 330
Daytime Running Lamps.......................... 164
Flash-to-Pass........................................... 156
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 330
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..................................... 330
High/Low Beam Changer ......................... 156
On Reminder........................................... 164
Wiper Activated........................................ 164
Heated Seats................................................ 10
Heater......................................................... 170
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................ 9
Highbeam On Light..................................... 193
Highway Hypnosis....................................... 261
Hill and Mountain Roads............................. 262
Hood
Checking Things Under............................ 296
Release................................................... 297
438