2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 117
2003 Chevrolet Malibu Manual
Page 117 highlights
Automatic Headlamp System When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Headlamp System will turn on your 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. Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be sure it is not covered which will cause the system to be on whenever the ignition is on. The system may also be on when driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel. This is normal. There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the Automatic Headlamp System so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and Automatic Headlamp System will only be affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay. To idle your vehicle with the system off, set the park brake while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle. The system will stay off until you release the park brake. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamps when you need them. 3-14 Headlamps Off in Park (P) This feature works when the ignition is on and it is dark outside. To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamp control to the parking lamp position. In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off. To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamp control to the AUTO or headlamp position. Delayed Headlamps The delayed headlamps feature will continue to illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is turned to OFF at night. Then the headlamps will automatically turn off. To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature while it is active turn the switch at the end of the turn signaVmultifunction lever up one position and then back to AUTO.