Chevrolet HHR

Hi!
I am glad to find this forum. my husband recently installed a new air filter on our HHR and was faced with the same problem. where the heck is the air filter????/ where it is practically under everything you see when you look under the hood! we got out the owners manual and it advised taking it to the dealership to have the new airfilter installed because it was a difficult job. being the can do guy that he is, hubby tackled the challenge and after several minutes of taking off all of the protective covers, sensors etc. he was able to replace our air filter which by the way , at 17,000 miles , was not very dirty you may want to wait awhile depending on how many miles you have on your car.
also we are not getting good mileage. when we first bought our car , we were averaging nearly 28 around town and were please as punch! now we are lucky to get 26. everyone is telling us it is the ethanol in the gas, but we are not so sure. I would love to see 30! that is what we hoped for when we bought our car. we did see 31 on a long trip shortly after we purchased but not since.
we also have issues with the rocker panels in front of the rear wheels. lots of road rash. our car is the majestic amenthyst (sp?) and now the rocker panels look grey. we brought this issue to the attention of our dealer early this year. they advised installing splash guards or running boards. we installed the splash guards right away but we are still very unhappy with the appearance of those panels. the rest of our car looks perfect.
I took it into the dealership 2 weeks ago and it seems chevy now has issues a "fix" for this problem because of all the complaints.. but we are not happy with their fix. they want us to buy, paint and install running boards at our cost and they will pay to refinish and paint the rocker panels.
we feel this is a design issue and a common customer complaint and that they should pay the total cost for this resolution.
what do you think? has anyone else had this issue???
thanks for any advise and help.
kathy

Replies to this message:
• laco (Aug 18, 2008 1:20 pm)

Replying to: ourwayband3 (Aug 07, 2008 2:38 pm)

Replies to this message:
• rdesantis (Sep 09, 2008 4:11 pm)

Just got off the phone with GM Canada after hearing the recall notice on local radio station,
 
"2006-2008 Chev HHR Dash Storage bin Lid latch may not stay closed in a crash. There is a recall notice regarding this matter."
 
I have not received my letter, just heard the notice on the radio and investigated on my own. Anyhow, be sure to get it fixed if your warrenty is about to expire. A reall notice addressed to you is required.
 
Do not hestitate to call GM and/orGM Canada for any Customer service issues, they are very helpful (when you have a new car). The numbers are posted on GM.com or gmcanada.ca The Canadian call center is usually available until 11:30pm E.T.
 
happy trails

Replies to this message:
• dmathews3 (Sep 09, 2008 5:24 pm)
  • ray80 (Sep 10, 2008 6:56 am)
  • laco (Sep 21, 2008 12:54 pm)
    • 62vetteefp (Sep 22, 2008 3:02 am) and 3 more...

Replying to: crdave (Aug 27, 2008 8:23 pm)

Awesome! I am glad to see that you are happy with your Chevrolet. I bet you H is almost as efficient as that Passat too. We are really happy with our H too. We just came back form a camping trip from Niagara falls. Loaded with two adults, gear, coolers, two bicycles and a black lab. Great trip, be gentle yet firm with that 4 banger and it will last a long time (hopefully during that trip you had the oil changed). That is one thing I fail to relaize. when i do a LONG trip, have it serviced (Lube, oil, inspection etc) duing the trip. The brake thing, with all that weight and that many KM that was the only issue, you shuold be proud of that little chevrolet.

Replying to: rdesantis (Sep 09, 2008 3:57 pm)

Anytime there is a recall it doesn't matter how many miles or how old your vehicle is. It will be fixed. As far as this recall goes, GM will send the part to fix it to you will simple instructions on how to do it or to take it to your dealer and he will do it for free. While I'm all in favor of recalls I think some of them are a little far feched. So the dash bin does open in a crash, the seat belts and the air bags will protect us from ever hitting it. Besides it is in the center of the car and only the center passenger would be affected. Oh, wait a minute, there is no center passenger in a HHR.

Replies to this message:
• ray80 (Sep 10, 2008 6:56 am)
• laco (Sep 21, 2008 12:54 pm)
  • 62vetteefp (Sep 22, 2008 3:02 am)
    • dmathews3 (Sep 22, 2008 4:45 am) and 2 more...

Replying to: dmathews3 (Sep 09, 2008 5:24 pm)

Replying to: dmathews3 (Sep 09, 2008 5:24 pm)

Replies to this message:
• 62vetteefp (Sep 22, 2008 3:02 am)
  • dmathews3 (Sep 22, 2008 4:45 am)
    • poncho167 (Sep 24, 2008 3:34 pm) and 1 more...

Replying to: laco (Sep 21, 2008 12:54 pm)

Replies to this message:
• dmathews3 (Sep 22, 2008 4:45 am)
  • poncho167 (Sep 24, 2008 3:34 pm)
    • poncho167 (Oct 02, 2008 3:19 pm)

Replying to: 62vetteefp (Sep 22, 2008 3:02 am)

Replies to this message:
• poncho167 (Sep 24, 2008 3:34 pm)
  • poncho167 (Oct 02, 2008 3:19 pm)