2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 151

Lighting . 6-3 The light sensor detects daytime light. The parking brake is released or the vehicle is not in P (Park). . When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights are not on unless you turn the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position. The regular headlamp system should be turned on when they are needed. The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument panel that controls the automatic headlamp system. Do not cover the sensor or the automatic headlamp system will turn on when it is not needed. There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the automatic headlamp systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only be affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about one minute for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay, the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness control is in the full bright position. See Instrument Panel Illumination Control on page 6‑5. To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp system off, turn the ignition on and set the exterior light switch to the off/on position. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the transmission must stay in P (Park) for this function. The regular headlamps should be used when needed. Automatic Headlamp System When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim. Delayed Headlamps The delayed headlamps feature keeps the headlamps on for 20 seconds after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF, then the headlamps automatically turn off. To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever up one position and then back to AUTO.