2-38Automatic Headlamp SystemWhen it is dark enough outside, your automaticheadlamp system will turn on your headlamps at thenormal brightness along with other lamps such as thetaillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrumentpanel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.Your vehicle is equipped with a headlamp off delay,which will keep the headlamps on for a short time afterthe ignition is turned to OFF. For more information see“Secondary Information Center (SIC)” in the Index.Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of theinstrument panel in the defroster grille. Be sure it is notcovered, or the system will be on whenever the ignitionis on.The system may also turn on your headlamps whendriving through a parking garage, heavy overcastweather or a tunnel. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition between the daytimeand nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps(DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so thatdriving under bridges or bright overhead street lightsdoes not affect the system. The DRL and automaticheadlamp system will only be affected when the lightsensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer thanthe delay.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlampsystem off, set the parking brake while the ignition isoff. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlampsystem will stay off until you release the parking brake.As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regularheadlamp system when you need it.You may be able to turn off your Automatic HeadlampSystem and Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).See “Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)” later in thissection for more information.
