GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset. DRL lamps are required to function at all times on all vehicles first sold in Canada.

A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.

The DRL system will make the low-beam headlamps come on at reduced brightness when the following conditions are met:

    • The ignition is on.
    • The exterior lamps control is off .
    • The parking brake is released.

While the DRL are on, only the vehicle's low-beam headlamps will be on at reduced brightness. The turn signal, taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.

When it is dark enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the vehicle's headlamps and parking lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on with the headlamps will also come on.

When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will go off and the DRL will come on.

To idle the vehicle with the DRL off, turn the exterior lamp control off and then do one of the following:

    • Turn the exterior lamp control to the parking lamp position.
    • Turn the exterior lamp control to the headlamp position.
    • Turn the exterior lamp control from AUTO to off and back to AUTO.

This feature is not available for vehicles first sold in Canada.

To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it is dark outside, move the exterior lamp control to the parking lamp position. The parking lamps remain on and the headlamps turn off. The fog lamps also go on if they were on previously.

As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system should be turned on when needed.