not being an ass here,but why even get an ss if you're going to do this??? as you said,do whatever you want,but i find it silly to try to save gas on a performance vehicle. just get a regular hhr and save all the hassle...

 

In regards to someone looking mainly toward economy I can see several reasons to buy the SS over the regular HHR:

- Ground effects make it cut through the air a bit easier (probably a little less wind resistance.
- Smaller displacement engine (only 2.0L) which can help economy when taking it easy.
- Engine came with Mobile 1 which several people claim can get you an extra mile or two per gallon.

- The SS handling package is awesome and it just drives great (why not have something that handles great and gets good mileage)
- The SS just looks cool and the interior rocks.

- If you ever get into a tight spot the extra HP is there if you really NEED it. I think it is better to have it an not need it than need it and not have it.
- Ah yes, every once in a while you can jump on it and have some fun. After all got to make sure the turbo still works.....

To get back to the spirit of the original post we need to get more data on how the Octane of the fuel plays a role in the performance/economy of these turbo charged HHR's.

- When driving in a mild mannered way with an eye toward economy is there any difference using the higher octane fuel or will plain 87 octane work just fine? This assumes someone has a light foot.

- On the flip side if someone has a heavy foot and is into the turbo a lot then how noticeable is the difference (if any) when using lower octane fuels. Does it really cut down on the performance?

 

Did you read anything I wrote..It was a long post lol????

First I already have an SS

I've explained why many times.

A "performace" vehicle does not inherently get poor mileage. It takes a poor driver to accomplish that.

I find it silly to waste gas, why waste gas and money and the integrity of my vehicle for NO-GAIN. There isn't a sinlge person on this forum having more fun with their SS than myself.

I would not hypermile at the track, or strip.....but I-90 is neither.

And my above post explained why poor inefficient driving is a hassle imo.

Why would I get an LS OR LT, I still have yet to find a single person on this ir any other hhr forum who gets better mileage city or highway. In fact my 100% city mpg is probably better than 90% of hhr owners (ls,lt, and ss) average highway. An I take short trips, from cold starts, and parking in a lower level garage......three MPG destroying conditions.

Please if you can take only one thing from any of my post. Let this sink in.

1. My average speed over my hypermile tank (517.5 miles 14.4 gallons) was 37mph @ 36 mpg

2. My average speed through my anti hypermile tank is 39, maybe I'll get it to 40 or 41mpg by the end of the tank @ currently 27.8mpg and going down...lol


Anyone getting lower then 20%+ of my anti-hypermile FE is either taking a lot of 2 mile trips from cold starts, spending a great time idling in parking lots and fast food line, is running their car airconditioning for 30 mins before they pull away,

OR NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!

And mighymouse...seriously, where is the rule that states "anyone driving a performance vehicle is required to drive like a idiot, burn gas profusely without actually going fast, and wear the tires off it while driving to work and such"????

 

Seems robotworkshop "gets it". Thanks for summing it up without me having to beat it into someone.

My "Absurd Mileage" Pursuit was done on a full tank of 87. I cannot attest to dyno numbers on hp loss due using 87 in an SS. However I noticed ZERO problems over that 517.5 miles and 14.4 gallons. I always have more HP then I ever need to pass, merge or drop a fool in my rearview.

I will probably never use anything else, ever again, unless I am carrying a heavy load, driving in extreme heat, at altitude or get that tune.

 

My 2¢ is you're not an idiot if you drive a vehicle the way the manufacturer designed them to be driven. I don't know why you have to flame a person for driving a performance car like it is capable of being driven. Mightymouse didn't flame you in his post he stated he wasn't trying to be an ass and only stated he found it silly. These type of statements are why I have been on a sabbatical from this forum. I may need another one.

 

Hey ChevyMgr,

I hope you don't take a sabbatical from the forums just because a couple members may not see eye to eye on a few issues. I for one enjoy reading your posts and you have added a lot to these forums.

The HHR SS is a great machine and it is a rare package in that it handles awesome, can get great mileage, and can scoot right along when you kick the turbo in. It seems to be a fantastic balance and since it can sip gas or fly down the road I think it is cool to discuss both options and let people drive it however they like. No reason get into which it best overall. It just boils down to what is the best for the individual owner/driver. Either way is fine.

I've got an Automatic myself as a daily driver but if I had the extra $$ would love to get a second one with a manual as a toy that would get tuned, tweaked, etc just for fun.

 

I agree. It's just the way they state their disagreement...Lets see, that brings some quotes to my mind... hmmmmm....

To each their own...

Live and let live...

It takes all kinds to make the world go around...

What the world needs now...is love sweet love...it's the only thing that there's just too little of...(bwahahaha)

'nuff said.

 

Chill-axx dude.
That was definitly not a flame.
You would know if I flamed, because i would be promtly banned afterwards

I feel that to many people tell me how to drive my SS. I understand that some is SS jealousy (in a good way) for those that bought in 06 and 07, and some is (lets call it like it is) an anti-green inclination to those that abhor hybrids, hypermilers, speed limits and the like. For some this is there first turbo car, or first fast car, or most affordable American sportster. I understand that many have waited an anticipation for the chance to drive an SS, or just to see one. It is "telling" that you have a feeling about how this car is "capable to be driven" I didn't tell you or any of the other (remember cill-axx) pedal mashers to buy ZR1's did I?????. I have been told no less then 7 time about "what hhr i should have bought", mightymouse is just the most recent.

This is an hhr forum not a EVO forum or Z06 forum. Many more people care about mileage then HP. Look at what is selling, and what GM is making. I want to HELP people that get poor mileage. I want to help them without buying some bull$#it bolt on that doesnt do crap. I want to tell them that you CAN get 36mpg overall without breaking laws and causing a crash on the highway.

No one needs to know how to step on the acclerator until it stops going down. And no one needs to know how get 22mpg or less...lol

I have answered the question with science about Octane. My mileage proves it. I do better then sticker with 87 in all conditions WITHOUT hypermiling. Moreover the tune works on 91....that should be a big hint that those of us without it dont need 91.

And lastly, sorry if I offended anyone. Seriously.
But I realize how aggresive i would have to drive my SS to get 22mpg or even 25 overall. I only hit 90mph on the way home ....twice....stupid avg mpg saids 27.9......i can't even get poor mileage when i try. Good thing this tank only lasted 400 miles....i can't wait to shoot for 38mpg overall...lol
I've never said chill-axx in real life before, but it felt appropriate here...lol

 

Don't be cheap if you have the SS. Buy the good stuff, don't just try to get by with regular. Let's throw down a little chart for those who think it costs so much to fill up with Premium VS. Regular.

Using the Chevron by my house I can get 87 octane for $3.79. If I fill up 14 gallons at that price I pay $53.06

If I go reckless and put Premium (92 octane) in at $3.99 a gallon, 14 gallons I spend a whopping $55.86. That's a whole $2.80 more! Filling up 3 times a month, over 12 months, that's $100.80 more than filling up with 87. If you are telling me that you cannot spend 27.6 cents per day extra on Premium fuel, than please, sell your $24,000 HHR SS and get a Hybrid.

Get the good stuff, drive the performance car like it was meant to be, use the turbo and get over it!

 

Okay pal, I'm really chillin' now. I hope you feel better too.