Hi! New guy here, but I've lurking around a little.

This is a two HHR household. Both are 2008 Panels. One for my wife and one for me. Both are 2LTs, and loaded with options. Mine, which is Black with 3,000 miles, has what I think is almost every option ya' can get except for the rear spoiler. Hers, which is Cranberry Red Metallic with 13,000 miles. has three options less. She doesn't have the 6 stack CD, side airbags and the ashtray/lighter that's on mine. Both have gray leather, sunroof, etc..

Bought hers used with 8,000 miles on it last October and liked it so much she told me to go buy my own. So I did.

I like hot rods and have several. One is a '47 Ford Sedan Delivery (Chevy V-8powered). That's been the most practical car I've owned. So with there just being the two of us and the dogs, the Panel selection was a natural. Finding them was tough. There wasn't any, new or used, within 100 miles of here. Anyway, we're happy except for tires...........................


Tires are the problem. Both have the P215/50R17 Firestone Firehawk GTA 03 made in Mexico eliptical shaped tires.

Chevrolet will warranty balance for first 7,500 miles. After that I guess you're on your own. So her car is my problem I'll tackle.

My car is still under warranty. Local dealer rebalanced and cherry picked tire position on car. It got worse. Starting at 45mph and faster it vibrated. I checked and the tires are out of round.

So, right now I have GM involved to sort this thing out. Local dealer says the tires flat spotted 'cause the car was on the lot unsold for a long time.

After doin' tire R&D work for almost 30 years, I and my old work colleagues say this is BS. This isn't the old nylon cord morning sickness days. Those days are in the past with todays polyester cord technology.

Why would three be more outa' round than one good one? They all have the same DOT code date, 0908, of manufacture. So they all have the same family history.

Have other 17" equipped HHR owners had similar experiences, or am I the Lone Ranger out here?

Maybe there's some GM technical folks here that can tell me what my course of action is. Local Chevy dealer service manager essentially told me I'm screwed and the dealer I bought it from, over 900 miles away, is responsible. To me, that's an unacceptable answer. It has the Checy emblem on the hood, not a dealer emblem.

 

Did they absolutely rule out the rims and mounting?

As for morning sickness, my factory 04 GTO tires had it bad but they cleared up after 5 miles tops. It's still around but nothing like the past.

 

Hello & Welcome-

08 2LT Panel here also... Still have the oem Flintstones on it. I'm not any having problems like that, fact on the hi-way it couldn't be smoother.. & since I ride motorcycles, my Panel does sit a lot at times..But no flat spot issues.

That being said, I am switching brands to a better tire. I just believe there are better suited options.. & I am also going to bump up to 225/50/17

PS: Mine was difficult to find also, took a while to get what I wanted..

sleeper

 

25,000 + miles on mine and no problems. In fact, I just had them rotated for the 1st time at last oil change, and mechanic couldn't believe they hadn't been rotated before.

 

I agree on it not being flat spots from sitting.

I have heard of new tires being flat spotting if they were exposed to heat in a paint booth. Not a common thing but it has happened. Or could some one have locked up the brakes or left a e brake on to cause a small problem?

Might want to speak to Firestone an have them check the tires as if it is workmanship and materials they should cover some of the cost on the warrranty of the tires.

There are other things too that could cause this as a out of shape wheel etc. I would just start going down the list of possiblities.

 

Update on my tire problem:

Looks like GM has authorized 4 tire replacement on my car.

Talked to the local dealer service manager and he said they would order them.

I had to go through the process listed in the warranty booklet calling the GM customer hotline. Looks like the effort was worth while.

I'll let ya' know How I make out.

 

Tires are covered for 3/36 for defects. If a road force has been performed and the tires still vibrate plus the wheels are not the issue, then they should be replaced by the dealer at no charge to you.

 

No tire manufacturer will cover any warranty on OEM tires. GM has to do that.

 

My panel has the Firestone Affinty 16" tires, IMO about the most worthless tires I've ever owned. Unless it's a sunny and 80 degree day, they offer almost no traction.

And I don't have to tell you how many days we have like that in Dee-Troit.

Just put Hankook Optima 225/50 17's on my panel, they were pulloffs from a 2008 Merc Milan. Much smoother tire, and they aren't even the best reviewed tire out there.

Get rid of the Firestones ASAP, I doubt you will ever be completely satisfied with them.

 

Sounds like a crappy issue. I do want to congratulate the brilliance of a man who has 2 HHR's in the driveway. Although personally I would have had to make one of them an SS, but that could just be my bias. I hope you get the tire issue fixed.