We've just picked up an 06 hhr ls with 70k for my in-laws to use and it's our first domestic car so I would like to know what you guys can recommend as far as preventative maintenance work that I should consider doing to ensure this hhr can surpass 200k.

I'm planning on taking the car to Chevy dealer to get that Ignition lock recall taken care off and while they're at it I've purchased an extra keyfob from amazon so that they can program it.

The TSB/recall thread is quite surprisingly long and just glanced through it so is there any other major recall that I need to mention?

Seeing all the tsb is it worth maybe getting a third party warranty for this car?

A link to scheduled recommended maintenance work would be great also. Thanks for any input.

 

A good maintenance schedule is included in the Owners Manual - if you do not have one, it can be downloaded via: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/online-owners-manual-3074/

The dealer can check for any recalls that are applicable for your car, and can determine if they have already been done. Nothing major comes to mind beyond the ignition key issue.

Do not worry about the number of TSB's - they are service bulletins that assist the dealers in diagnosing/resolving issues that might crop up. They do not necessarily indicate problem areas as such.

Third party warranty - from what I have seen here, they aren't that popular - and do not purchase one based on the number of TSB's (as explained above).

Other than normal maintenance overall the car is pretty reliable - a number of semi-common trouble areas have been well documented here. Ie: to name a few - shuddering brakes (keep the rear brakes adjusted, else the fronts can get overworked (is the theory)), sway bar links, sway bar mount bushings, lower control arm rear bushings. None of them are big $'s - and not everyone by any means encounters them.

Oh, and WELCOME!!!!!! - lots of good info here - if you are looking for some specific info on something, give the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page - it often will point you in the right direction very quickly.

 

to the forum and congrats on your new ride!

X2 to all of whopper's advice above.

 

aboard first
1. i would open fuse box and make sure all fuses are down and tight in the engine compartment
2. i would also check the nut on the positive post on the front and left side of the fuse box covered by the red plastic cover. that nut needs to be tight. its caused shutting down when losing contact
3. whopper has the front end issues covered
4. check filter
5. check brakes like he said too. my favorite thing to do on my 06 is i buy lifetime pads at any of the auto stores and yearly just take them off and replace them if i drive over 10,000 miles a year
6. front wheel bearings have been issues on 06's too
7. check how old the battery is and how well is it connected and tightened

rest is easy

 

Welcome to the site.

As far as you saying you were going to the dealer for the ignition recall.
Remember. The replacement parts are not available yet, so you will have to put that one on "hold" for now.
Go ahead and get the extra fob programmed. Keep the in-laws happy.

 

Thanks for useful replies.

Previous owner has just replaced the battery recently and was surprised when he showed me where it is and thought this would be convenient if thesy decide if they what to put a sub in the back He has also just replace drivers door panel as he messed up the panel trying to replace the broken plastic door opener.

The car seemed to be well taken care of. The only thing that I noticed that was not working properly is the power window lock button, when pressed down the windows still roll up and down. Might be blown fuse?

Regarding the recall I've read somewhere that people were being given a loaner car for free until the part becomes available, is that different from dealer to dealer?

 

that window lock button is only for the rear windows. My 2006 has 90000 on it and still going strong. A lot of the problems are minor ones and can be easily addressed by a back yard mechanic , and parts are redily available.

 

Hi HHR1979,

Welcome to the forum! If you have any questions about your vehicle, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Also, If you need any information pertaining to the recall, please PM us :). Enjoy!

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

My 06 HHR nearly 130,000 miles on it and has regular maintenance i.e. transmission flush, radiator flush. I did get a P0010 error and the mechanic replaced the recommended sensors/solenoids. A new battery was replaced at 6 years and brakes replaced at 92,000 miles. My car has been quite reliable and I haven't found anything out there that could replace it.

 

I have had zero issues with my 08 Panel that are not normal maintenance. If you need to replace the struts, get the 'quik-strut' with the spring pre-installed, makes it a 15 minute job that can be done in the driveway with hand tools.