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. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada.

A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and Twilight Sentinel, so be sure it is not covered. The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness. In order for the DRL system to be activated, the following conditions must be met:

    • The ignition is on.
    • The exterior lamp control is off.
    • The transaxle is not in PARK (P).

When the DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps will be on at reduced intensity. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not be on. Your instrument panel will not be lit either.

When it is dark enough outside, your regular intensity headlamps will come on at full brightness and the DRL lighting will turn off. The parking lamps that normally come on with your headlamps will also come on. When it is bright enough outside, the regular intensity headlamps and parking lamps will turn back off, and the reduced brightness DRL lighting will turn back on.

To idle your vehicle during the day with the DRL off, shift the transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until you shift out of PARK (P).

At night, you can turn off all exterior lamps when you are in PARK (P) by turning the Twilight Sentinel knob all the way to OFF.

If the knob was already in OFF, it must be cycled to ON and back to OFF. Turn the knob clockwise to turn the exterior lighting back on. The lamps will come back on automatically when you put the transaxle in gear.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it.