I just bought my 2008 HHR last Friday. Sunday and yesterday we had 37 cm of snow (about 15 inches), and today I had such a wobble and vibration when driving my teeth shook. Took it in to the dealer, and they said it was a common problem - snow had jammed into the wheels. I had 2 options - park it in a heated garage for a few hours to let the snow melt, or let them TAKE THE WHEELS OFF and unpack the snow (at labour rates of course).

Has anyone else had this 'common problem'?

 

Not an unheard of problem here.
How about maybe a third option for you to try..............A hair dryer?
Don't know too much about this as I don't have to deal w/ snow at any time.

 

We had an 18" snow last year, and I didn't have any problems with snow in the wheels. I'm not saying it can't happen, and I can certainly see how snow would cause the wheels to act out of balance, but one would think at highway speeds it would come loose, unless it was very cold.

 

to the site Tereska!!! We had some snow Sat night/Sun morn. (about 12 inches). The HHR was parked the entire time. Today was the first time I drove it since and there was some noise during braking. After some driving it went away. Another option, if it gets warm enough is to spray it at a carwash.

 

We had rain on Saturday for a short period of time. As it turned to snow I did notice the snow sticking to everything. On Sunday when I went to travel all four wheel's / tires were frozen to the driveway. Took a little rocking to get her to move, once I got rolling thru 15" of snow I also noticed a slite vibration around 30 mph. But after several miles that went away. When I made my first stop the tire's / wheels were almost clean.
I was really serprized that we got thru that much snow on 34,000 mile original tires that are just about half worn. I now have the 4X4 Jimmy back on the road.

 

YES, but I think it’s just in certain conditions and a wand style car wash takes care of it quickly.

Welcome to the site Canuck

 

Every winter for the third year in a row.

 

I wonder where Tereska lives?

Exact same problem here. I ended up taking my snow brush and gently pushing the snow out of the rims.

Had a hell of a time getting the snow and ice away from the brake calipers in the front. Today I was able to get it to about 90 km/h before some shaking was noticeable. The other day, anything over 60 km/h was a scary experience.

 

I had same trbl last week after a few in. of ice & snow,I didn't know what it was,it shook like crazy,just had to go a few miles. the next day it was just fine..thats what i figured it had to be ice stuck somewhere. good to know its a common problem

 

It's bound to be a problem on any car that has wheels and gets driven in the snow...

Very common, but not automatic: my car was outside in the same conditions last weekend and I have no vibration.

Yves