2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

2-42 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 in the defroster grille. Be sure it
is not covered, or the system will be on whenever the
ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps 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 Daytime Running
Lamps (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
system will only be affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is
off. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See ªDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)º later in
this section for more information.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition is
in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY. To disable the tone, turn
the thumbwheel all the way down. In the automatic mode,
the headlamps turn off once the ignition key is in OFF.

2-43 Daytime Running Lamps
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 lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at a
reduced brightness when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is in automatic headlamp mode,

the automatic transmission is not in PARK (P),

the light sensor determines it is daytime and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps or the
last chosen headlamp setting that was used.To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, put the
transmission in PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
The following does not apply to vehicles first sold in
Canada, and to some early production vehicles.
When necessary, you may turn off the automatic
headlamp system and the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) feature by following the steps below:

Turn the ignition to RUN.

Press the DOME OVERRIDE button four times
within six seconds. After the fourth press of the
button, a chime will sound informing you that the
system is off.

To return to the automatic mode, push the DOME
OVERRIDE button four times within six seconds
(the chime will sound), or turn the ignition to
OFF and then to RUN again.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-44
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
The instrument panel intensity control is located to the
right of the headlamp switch.
Move the thumbwheel up to adjust the instrument panel
lights. To turn on the dome lamps (with the vehicle
doors closed), move the thumbwheel all the way up.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lights will not
come on if the DOME OVERRIDE button is pressed in.
Illuminated Entry
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated entry feature.
When a door is opened, the dome lamps will come on if the
DOME OVERRIDE button is in the ªoutº position. When all
the doors are closed, the lamps will stay on for a short period
of time and will then go out. If the DOME OVERRIDE
button is pressed in, the lamps will not come on.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the parking/headlamps
knob, all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps
will remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the parking/headlamp knob, to set the dome
lamps to come on automatically when a door is opened,
or to remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the button
into the ªinº position, the dome lamps will remain off
when a door is open. To return the lamps to automatic
operation, press the button again and return it to the
ªoutº position. With the button in this position, the dome
lamps will come on when you open a door.

2-45 Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, vanity, reading
and glove box lights if they are left on for more than
20 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep your
battery from running down.
If the battery run
-down protection shuts off the interior
lamps, it may be necessary to do one of the following to
return to normal operation:

Shut off all lamps and close all doors, or

turn the ignition key to RUN.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving.
Press the tab forward (away from you) for day driving.
Pull the tab back (toward you) for night driving.
Outside Manual Adjust Mirror
Adjust your outside mirrors so you can see a little of the
side of your vehicle.
You can fold them inward before entering a car wash.
Pull the mirrors toward the vehicle. Push the mirrors
back out when finished. After pushing the mirror out,
the adjustment will be maintained.

2-46 Power Remote Control Mirror
(If Equipped)
To move the mirror, move the knob in the middle of the
control to ªLº for the driver's side mirror or to ªRº for
the passenger's side mirror. Then press the four
-way
control pad to move the mirror in the desired direction.
To make sure you do not accidentally move a mirror,
return the knob to the middle position (off) after
adjusting the mirrors.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

2-47
Storage Compartments
Your front storage compartment/glove box is at the
center of the engine cover. To open the compartment,
press the two tabs together and pull.
If you have an optional sliding tray storage
compartment, it is under the front passenger's seat.
To open the compartment, move the latch in the top
handle and pull the tray forward.

2-48
If you have rear storage compartments, pull up on the lid
to open the cover.There is also a map/storage pocket on the passenger's
side of the engine cover console.

2-49 Overhead Console (Option)
The overhead console includes reading lamps, a
compartment for a garage door opener, a trip computer,
a temperature and compass display, and a storage
compartment for sunglasses.
The reading lamps, trip computer and temperature and
compass display will work when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.Reading Lamps
Press the button near each
lamp to turn the reading
lamps on and off.
The lamps can also be swiveled to point in the direction
you want.