2006 Pontiac GTO Owner's Manual - Page 112

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) 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. The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when the following conditions are met: 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. Make 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. If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system will come on immediately. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamps when you need them. The headlamps can be set to come on at different levels. The sensitivity can be adjusted to Early, Normal, or Late. See Vehicle Personalization on page 2-31. Leaving the headlamps and parking lamps on when the engine is not running will eventually drain the battery. To prevent the battery from draining, the headlamp and parking lamps will turn off when the ignition has been turned off and the driver's door is opened, because the vehicle senses that the driver has forgotten to turn off the lights. • The ignition is on. • The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO and the light sensor detects daytime light. • The exterior lamp control is turned to the off position. • The parking brake is released. • For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the shift lever is not in PARK (P). When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp or headlamp position. The DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle is in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged the first time the ignition is turned on. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it. 3-14