CHEVROLET HHR 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change. The 2.0L engine inspect at
each oil change. Replace lter if appears dusty or dirty.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter (2.2L and 2.4L Engines)
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new lter is
required. Never use compressed air to clean the lter.
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
5-23

To inspect or replace the lter, do the following:
1. Disconnect the Mass Air Flow sensor, PCV hose,
and both ducts.
2. Pull the entire system from the top of the engine.
3. Turn the system over and place it on a soft,
non-abrasive surface.
4. Remove the screws that hold the housing and
cover together and lift off the housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
6. Reverse the steps to reinstall the system. Be sure
to reinstall the housing tightly.How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter (2.0L Engine Only)
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new lter is
required. Never use compressed air to clean the lter.
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
5-24

To inspect or replace the lter, do the following:
1. Remove the screws that hold the housing and
cover together and lift off the cover.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
3. Reverse the steps to reinstall the system. Be sure
to reinstall the housing tightly.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into the engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to a dealer/retailer and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in the
Maintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4. Be sure to use the transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
5-25

Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission uid
level. A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to a dealer/retailer
for service. Have it repaired as soon as possible. You
may also have the uid level checked by your dealer/
retailer when the oil is changed. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14for the proper uid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master cylinder
reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-35for more information.
Cooling System
The Cooling System allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
5-26

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-32.
5-27

What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C), engine
temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could be
damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-14for more information.
5-28

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
The tank is located in
the engine compartment
toward the front of the
engine on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If
coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD FILL (A) line or a little higher. The COLD
FILL line is near the bottom of the tank and sticks out
from the rear of the tank.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the COLD FILL line. If it is not, you may
have a leak in the cooling system.
5-29

How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap — even a little — they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
5-30

If no coolant is visible in the coolant recovery tank, add
coolant at the pressure cap as follows:
1. Remove the pressure
cap when the cooling
system, including
the pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left to be vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture to
the coolant ll port, up to the base of the port.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27Engine Coolant
for more information about the proper coolant
mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the
COLD FILL (A) line.
6. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap off.
7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
5-31

8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller port may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ll port until the level reaches the base
of the ll port.
9. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure, if coolant begins to ow out of the
ll port, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
10. When the engine has cooled, check the coolant in
the coolant recovery tank. The level in the coolant
recovery tank should be at the COLD FILL line
when the engine is cold.
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will nd a coolant temperature warning light and a
coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s instrument
panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light on page 3-36andEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 3-36for more information.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re because of being
driven with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
5-32