This past weekend I was poking around under the dash trying to check it out without really ripping everything apart and I did find the vents under the front seats for the back. All the floor vents seem to be working equally (well?) The only thing I noticed is that the floor vents in the front seem to be aimed pretty high ... almost under the dash. I might try to fashion something to deflect the air a little lower if I can make the time. Will post results.


George

 

I have to say that the HHR IMHO has one of the better heaters I have had in a car. Because the engines in these run hotter faster, I get heat really fast and the blower is strong and distributes the heat nicely through the vehicle as far as I can tell (my dogs that ride in the back have yet to say otherwise).
My last car, a Mazda, was pretty crappy for heating.

 

Made a 45 deg. elbow out of a piece of aluminum downspout and some double faced tape. A little bit of overkill but just deflecting the air down warms the feet much better rather than the air just shooting across then up under the dash. I can now turn the heat down much sooner. Now I don't have to turn the radio up so loud.

 

I wondered the same thing. After it all warms up, the air under the dash is plenty warm. Was thinking maybe there is a temperature sensitive design that doesn't allow air to blow down there until the temp is warmer. Once the car is heated up it is very good.

 

My problem was that I don't have time to wait for it to migrate down to my feet. My commute is about 20 minutes or so. With the mod I can start turning down the heat waaaay sooner because my feet are starting to get hot. Besides, if I wanted heat up top, I would turn the control to bi-level. This car has much better heat now.

 

GCarp, sounds like a nice fix to the problem. Now, is there any chance of getting some pictures.

 

I'll see what I can do.

 

Sorry the pictures are so crappy, they were done on a cell phone. Here's what I did...

Tools:
Piece of paper 6" square
Pen or pencil
Good pair of scissors to cut aluminum

Supplies:
Aluminum downspout (approx. 4" long)
Double faced tape (I used Duck brand that is about 1/16" thick and spongy.
Duct tape



1. Press a piece of note paper on the end of the duct to get an impression so you know how big you need to make the adapter.
2. Mark impression with a pencil or pen to see it easier.
3. Measure the perimeter. Add at least 1/2" for overlap.



4. Cut about 4" of downspout and flatten. Cut long side to length from step 3.



5. Cut cutouts as shown in picture. The angle cut ends at about where the bottom corner is. The angle you cut will determine the angle you bend it to. Mine is about 45 deg. and my right foot gets a little hotter than my left. So a little less would probably be better (maybe 30 deg.?)
6. Bend the sides so it looks about like the sketch from step 2.





7. Bend the angled side down and wrap the flaps around to match the edges from step 6.
8. Test fit and adjust to fit the duct. A little loose is ok because the double faced tape will hold it in place.
9. Remove aluminum pc. and wrap double faced tape around edge of duct.



10. Re-install aluminum pc. and form fit starting at top center and working your way around to the bottom in both directions.
11. Adjust downward angle and form fit to close the gaps as much as possible.



12. Use the duct tape to seal all seams. (Just duct tape it all.)



I used the downspout because I had a piece laying around. You can probably use anything that will hold a shape and be easy to work.

Any questions ... just ask...

George

 

Now that we have much colder weather, I have a fair assessment of the mod. This car heats up great... It was 9 deg. this morning coming in to work. I had enough heat in about 10 min. to start turning down the blower where before I would have been fine from the waist up and had cold feet.

 

Interesting work GCarp, I haven't had the need for heat very much lately becuase this global warming thing is really making life pleasent up here in Calgary lately. I'm hoping that it doesn't get too cold for the rest of the winter. I might try rigging something up for next winter becuase who knows what mother nature has in store for us up here.

Take it easy