How to Tow an HHR Rear End Out of a Ditch

Pulling your HHR out of a ditch will require access underneath the vehicle.

The Chevy HHR is a compact car made by General Motors. As a front-wheel-drive car, it has no rear axle and is not equipped with a rear recovery point. This makes emergency recovery of an HHR from a snowbank or a ditch difficult, but not impossible. In order to pull out the HHR, you will need access to the car's underbelly and be able to get a recovery hook into a hole in the rear subframe. Note that this procedure should only be used in emergencies.

Things You'll Need

• Tow strap

Instructions

1. Get underneath the rear of your HHR. In the center of the back section will be a large bulge, which is the fuel tank. To the left (driver side) will be the muffler, a large canister with a tailpipe coming out the back. To the right of the fuel tank bulge, you will see a subframe rail. It will be a metal tube that is welded into the body.

2. Locate the large oval hole that is cut into the HHR subframe rail. It will be about midway between the bumper and the suspension coil. Take a hook from a tow strap and clip it into this hole, then run the other end of the tow hook to your recovery vehicle. Keep tension on the strap until it is connected. If you let it go slack, the recovery hook will fall off.

   There is a corresponding hole on the driver side, but it is blocked by the muffler, so it will impossible to connect a tow hook to the driver side.

3. Have the recovery vehicle very slowly begin to pull the HHR out of the ditch. Since you have only connected to the passenger side, the HHR will not come out straight, it will be dragged at an angle. Be sure the car ignition is in the "On" position and the steering is not locked into place.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to gain an easily accessible recovery point and provide your HHR with towing ability, consider having a tow hitch installed.

• Do not use a metal chain to recover the HHR. If the chain snaps under pressure, it can cause severe damage to property or injure people nearby.

References

• Extended GM Warranty: 2006 Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual