I have looked, and there has been discussion bout trailer hitches, tongue weight, trailer weight and such, but, I was wanting to know about towing with the auto-overdrive trans in these HHRs. Is it like my 99 Suburban, in that, when I hook up to a trailer or what, I shift the trans out of the over-drive mode and into drive range 3 and thus you can tow without harming the trans

 

An HHR like a suburban? Two very different transmissions. Where as the suburban is meant for towing. I don't think we can switch off overdrive like the big boys. Not sure though, never seen an HHR towing anything more than bicycles!

 

Bad choice of words, meant to ask, do you have to shift to another gear when towing, like I have to with my Suburban. I'm not towing anything near like what I tow with my Suburban, but, was just questioning if you have to shift the trans when towing anything, if not, then I'll leave the shifter alone.

 

I wouldn't shift to I or low to tow, just set it to drive like normal and use I for desending hills

 

I'm ol blue on that one. I figured that's what you meant. Just don't go hauling your 26' boat around!

 

Or 45 foot race car hauler!

 

In drive it will automatically sense the power load and select which gear and the converter setting for you.
The problem could be on the downside where you have very little compression applied in D and have to use your brakes to control downhill speed.

What I do is sense the increase in speed going down the hill and if you have to start braking to much pull over and put it in 1.
The first click below drive, and try it there on the slight compression it will give you. I have used this up to 50mph for short stretches.
If really steep downhill go the L position but keep you eye on your tach.

Also keep an eye on your water temp gauge if heavier long pulling.

Personally I would not tow anything more then 1000lbs. gross unless you are on the flat.

SF

 

I'm not wanting to tow anything for great distances, I have a tow dolly that I use to get broke down cars home, or out of a bad spot. I will use the Suburban for this, but, if, need be, I would like to use the HHR. The car or cars I will be most likely towing will be Opels from 69-75, Mantas, Asconas, Kadetts, and GTs.

 

You'll be way over the tow weight limit maximum that GM recommends.
Since the original question was about the HHR's transmission, exceeding the tow weight limit is a good way to over stress the tranny.

 

If I recall correctly the tow weight limit for the HHR is 1500 pounds, with auto trans, no towing recommended for manual transmission. IMO these are just not safe tow cars, for anything. Try stopping a 1500 pound trailer on a 6% grade when something jumps out in front of your HHR!