The Chevy HHR is one of Chevrolet's new vehicle offerings that is a cross between a high-performance vehicle and a wagon. Hearkening back to the days of chop-top coupes and other modified street cars, the HHR is an ideal mixture of performance and comfort. The HHR has an automatic transmission and like all automatic transmissions, the fluid level will need to be checked now and then to make sure everything is functioning properly and there is no damage to the transmission internals. This is a fairly easy process for most home mechanics.

Check Fluid Level

The first step in checking the transmission fluid is to check the level of the fluid to make sure it is sufficient. Start the HHR up and leave it running. Pop the hood and raise it to expose the engine and other mechanical settings. Locate the transmission fluid dipstick near the rear of the engine compartment and then have a friend shift through all of the HHR's gears, including reverse, before pulling the fluid dipstick out of the tube and examining the end of it. Make sure the fluid level is located between "Full" and "Low" on the end of the dipstick. Wipe the stick, insert it and remove it again to check to make sure your first reading was sufficient. If the level is low, add fluid to the transmission dipstick hole.

Check Fluid Color

The color of the transmission fluid can be telling as well with regards to the condition of the transmission internals; thus, it is critical to check the color by a "blotch test." Simply insert the dipstick and pull it out again and then blot the tip of the dipstick on a piece of paper towel. Wait 30 second and then look at the blotch. If the fluid spread out and turned a slightly pink color, everything is fine internally. However, if the blotch didn't spread out or turn brown, there is possible transmission damage and the fluid should be changed. If the fluid is milky brown, this indicates coolant contamination, and the HHR should be taken to be serviced immediately. Finally, if the fluid is foamy, it indicates the transmission is overfilled and some fluid should be drained.

Change the Fluid

In any case where there is contamination, rust or something of that nature, the fluid should be changed as quickly as possible. Changing the transmission fluid is a two-step process. First, crawl under the vehicle, remove the transmission pan and allow all of the fluid to pour out of the engine. Reinstall the transmission pan then attach a fluid change tool to the dipstick tube and refill/remove the excess fluid with new transmission fluid.

Source:

aa1car.com: Transmission Fluid

More Information:

Cars.Cartalk.com: Transmission Fluid