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The only really consistent result I've read about (and experienced, but only with a V8 truck- in this case, my father's) is a major increase in engine noise. His pickup got a lot throatier, which I guess is okay if you like growly V8's. I'm not so sure what it'll be like on a four cylinder though.
This past week more city driving and a couple pretty warm morning commutes (plus I felt the need to turn A/C on a few times) 446.3 miles (one tank and no low fuel light on yet) 13.696 gals = 32.5 MPG. not to bad.
Still love the vehicle though....
After 20K miles...ave about 26.5 MPG...
I really don't think any vehicle on the roads should weight less than 3,000 lbs. I read stats that indicate that you are 6 times more likely to get killed in a car weighing less than 3,000lbs. With 42,000 people being killed each year in autos ... I like to keep my odds as high as I can.
I had the 2LT 2.4l automatic and I was getting 23MPG but, only with premium fuel and certain fuel stations.
Some stations, even with premium, I only got about 21mpg.
With regular, I got about 20MPG and I lost a lot of performance.
I never made it on a long trip because I got rid of it before I was able to.
I kept track of the readout versus calculated by hand and readout was always very accurate. Pretty much right on the nose every time. Much more accurate than my Malibu Maxx was.
I got about 21mpg in the Malibu Max 3.5l auto and getting about 21 in the Impala 3.5l auto and using regular fuel (87). Again, mostly city.
"I prefer large safer vehicles like my Buick but this small car that has a decent safety weight of 3200 lbs is at my minimal safety weight.
I really don't think any vehicle on the roads should weight less than 3,000 lbs. I read stats that indicate that you are 6 times more likely to get killed in a car weighing less than 3,000lbs."
I think that statistics like this represent lifestyles not vehicle size. For example, minivans tend to have lower death rates not because they are safer, but because soccer moms (usually) try to drive within speed limits and more carefully. Cars weighing less than 3,000 pounds these days include whole generations of smaller economy cars which lace the major structural improvements of the Fit, Yaris, etc. and are often driven by teenagers on a budget - so there is inexperience, recklessness, and intoxication skewing the numbers.
Consider that MOST accidents are still SINGLE CAR accidents rather than vehicle to vehicle collisions. Size only matters in two car collisions, and in that case I think you'd need a Tahoe to have a real edge.
While it IS true that 3,000 pounds gives you an edge in head-on collisions (with one of those older, smaller cars) almost all the freeway accidents I see these days (on my commute) are richochets, pinball incidents not head-ons.
If I were to do a calculus of risk, I would rather have side curtain air bags in a smaller, modern car than go without them in a medium to large car.
Also, MODERN small cars do surprisingly well in side crashes - these sled used to ram the test vehicle is a uniform size and weight for all test vehicles, so results are comparable across weight sizes. Apparently some of the smaller cars do better in side crashes than large SUV's! (I guess the SUV's need some design updates.
Yes, I agree that the bare death stats on smaller vehicles look terrible, and on Buicks look good, but it may have more to do with the drivers than with the cars.
I'd take it to the dealers to have them check it out. Could be nothing but again could be major or turn into something major if ignored.
Mom produced the last 5 gas receipts. They'd written down the mileage.
Worst tank was 29.2 with some subzero (Fahrenheit) days. The second was at 32.1, and the other two were at 34.2 and 34.4.
Not bad for December/January.
In mixed driving (60% city/ 40% hwy) my average is 26.3 mpg. This is ACTUAL mileage, based upon miles driven and fuel filled at the gas station, this is NOT based upon the mileage computer which I've found is inaccurate (it displays an mpg about 2-3 mpg higher than actual). I keep track of every gallon and mile travelled on an Excel spreadsheet (it also helps me track oil changes and tire rotations).
Straight highway mileage is generally around 31 mpg (cruising 70ish).
Straight city mileage is generally around 24 mpg (45 mph)
I'm very happy with the mileage. Over Christmas I drove 1600 miles from Texas to Canada, and then another 1600 miles back again. In the HHR were 2 adults, 2 kids, a HUGE 15 cu ft Thule roof carrier full of toys and the back cargo area was full of luggage and my average economy was 28 mpg with my average speed around 75 mph for the full 3200 miles. That's pretty impressive considering the HHR had about 700 lbs of people and stuff jammed into it.
The only thing I HATE about the HHR: Acceleration can only be described as glacial.
I could probably do better with a lighter foot out of toll plazas, but it's fun keeping pace with Cadillacs and Acuras. They never expect to be passed up by an HHR.
We are even considering taking it back and utilizing our "30 day if not satisfied get a different car" option. Not because we dont love the HHR but because we are only getting 17-19 city and 25max highway! What can I do? Oh and We use cruise on the highway, and we ARE running the air in town AND on the highway.
One other comment. A gentlemen who owns a tiny car dealership swears to me that chevy makes a 100,000 mile spark plug!???? Told me if I dont believe him, call gm.Well I wouldnt even know where to guess to call.Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?
I only have one week left to make a decision on this car, and am desperate to figure this out.
Your mileage could be a combination of a few things or just a couple. Have you tried a different brand gas? Some vehicles need to get their computer reflashed to fix problems like this. You could disconnect the battery overnight. This would reprogram the cpu's memory as to your driving style. This has helped with some cars. A sticking brake pad touching the rotar causing a drag can reduce mileage a couple mpg.
The spark plug THIS guy was talking about,he swears they put in the HHR!??
From your reply its a no way on that one......
I am going to disconnect my battery tonight, and have my hubby take a good look at the brakes and pads.
THANKS again!
Carol Huffman
But I didnt really have that option since we bought it used off a pontiac dealer lot lmao So my question is this: CAN We trade this car straight across if I can find a manual HHR with a sunroof? (the only 2 things we wish we had!**running boards would be nice too but doubt I will find them on a car with a manual shift since most people special order them with automatics**.) and IF I can talk the dealer into the same exact price?
I think the answer is probably a big FAT NO> but it never hurts to ask. lol
Thanks a bunch! in advance
Carol Huffman
We just bought ours so we dont have a whole lot of running numbers but so far that is what we see.
I am hoping your 2007 is still holding up well since that is the year our used HHR is, with a 2.4l engine.
C Huffman
In the beginning, it was lower, but has improved. I have driven other HHR's (rentals) and have gotten 30 mpg. If you read your owner's manual, it says 100,000 miles for tune-up. I have 43,000 on mine and all systems are still running well. I religiously change the oil. I will be buying a 2010 when I retire in September. I put 550 miles a week on the HHR I have now - hence the high mileage. I'd keep the HHR.
I am in total agreement with you.We would only get rid of this one now for a newer HHR!!! This car can function like a small truck, has great options, handles well, and gets good gas milage if your vigilant about your tires, your "lead" foot, the gas you put in it etc....Here in Louisiana we will run that air constantly so that will affect it alot, but no more or less than any other car.
I had asked in an earlier post if anyone knew if we could get the options of the 2LT2 with a manual trans.? Thats the only thing we feel we would prefer but dont want to give up all my options. (I know auto start will not be available in a manual for obvious reasons)
One more thing. For the second time, our engine light has popped on just yesterday. The first time, when he hooked it up to that machine it said mis-fire. Should we take it in or just clear it again? We have a one year bumper to bumper warranty on it. and it is a certified used car.
thanks again.,
C Huffman
Im laughing because I am the wife, and my husband ALSO gets superb! mpg vs My numbers! We make a game out of it and why not!? What better game than one that saves us money!? His numbers, not matter WHERE no matter WHAT the conditions are are always 7-as much as 20 miles better than mine!
Having had our '(07 2.4 auto ) about 4 months or so now; I could not agree with you more than to say it is not a wasted feature! We watch ours religiously and do average 25.-27 now in the city! What burns me up is almost every single time he gets out if it it reads 27.7-30(city!!!) and i get in it and within a few miles it has dropped to 23-25. grrrrr :P I dont accelerate to a stoplight but Im heavy on the foot from the line!l:) After 4 months we still LOVE our car and would buy a new one in a heartbeat if economics would allow( only I happen to be a big fan of where our window controls are so I would want my year!LMAO)
I like to tell this story often and encourage others to try our new favorite car. I cannot remember ever loving a non-sports car as much as I do my "baby girl"
The only things we wish we had is running boards, a stick shift(oh it would be on then!)_ and wish we could have picked the color. We have the navy blue with the dx package of pinstriping etc, but I really like the pearl white and he likes the silver.
ANYWAYS, thank you for your respunse again. I could not agree with you more that it pays to watch the DIC. Not only pays, but can be alot of fun to lighten the mood and have he/she wars! :shades:
Sincerely
2Huge fans of the HHR !!
Dave and Carol
Mark B.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Thanks for taking something I once really enjoyed and putting a major cramp in it. I am every bit a woman in that way and do get my feelings hurt easily. :P ****
Im happy to see however that these posts are monitored for such a thing though.
How performent is it? Powerful enough?
How is it in the hills and mountain driving? (if any).
I put on a SLR Motorsports module. Easy install. It did not improve mpg like stated, but seat of the pants performance is noticeable. It will scratch the tires from standstill, which it was not even close to before. Mid range performance has increased significantly and top end is the same. On a 400 mi. round trip recently I got 24.8 mpg. That is with 80 mph cruising and about an hours worth of 95-105 mph running with a beamer and an expedition (of all vehicles). I drive 28 mi. round trip 4days a week to work. Highway. City driving is approx 10%. My foot stays in the throttle. I have fun in my ride, and I drive with a purpose.... To get where I am going. Have never gotten below 24.5 mpg. I really dig this little ride. Handling is excellent, except they could work on some torque steer control.
100% highway driving if possible, I've got a cross country trip to do, 3,000 miles.
Starting using flexfuel in FL with mostly city driving and lots of lights and stop signs and I am getting 16-17 MPG. After 2 tanks.
But when I'll receive my 2010 HHR, I'll be using the real stuff (gasoline).
The question is....regular or premium?
It's a 2 LT and comes with the 2.4 L. engine and I heard that it's better to run it on premium grade gasoline.
Is this true?
I am from GM Customer Service. This information comes right out of the 2010 HHR's owners manual. If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code V) or
the 2.0L L4 engine (VIN Code M) use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced, and a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard. If the octane is less than 87, you might 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 could damage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.
Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
There is no question as to running regular or premium. To run regular unleaded is absurd. The gamble you are taking, compared to the little bit of savings at the pump, and the performance loss, is totally obvious.
I alternate between medium grade and premium and really experience no performance change. I pretty much run the crap out of my little ride, so I am at least going to feed it well.