2005 Pontiac Montana Owner's Manual - Page 180

Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp System 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 makes the DRL work, so be sure it is not covered. The DRL system will make front parking and turn signal lamps come on in daylight when the following conditions are met: When it is dark enough outside, the exterior lamps will come on automatically. When it is bright enough outside, the exterior lamps will turn off and the DRL will turn on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps any time you need to. If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you leave the garage, it will take approximately one minute for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay, your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness control is in the full bright position. See Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17. To idle your vehicle with the DRL and automatic headlamps off, set the parking brake while the ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start the vehicle. The DRL and automatic headlamps will stay off until you release the parking brake. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it. • The ignition is on. • The exterior lamps control is off. • The parking brake is released. When the DRL are on, only your front parking and turn signal lamps will be on. Your instrument panel will not be lit up. 3-16