2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
·Headlamps
·Taillamps
·Parking Lamps
·License Plate Lamps
·Instrument Panel LightsThe exterior lamps control has three positions:
Off:Push the control all the way in to turn off the
exterior lamps.
Parking Lamps:Pull the control out halfway to turn on
the parking lamps together with the following:
·Taillamps
·License Plate Lamps
·Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps:Pulling the control all the way out turns on
the headlamps together with the previously listed
lamps and lights. See
Interior Lamps on page 3-17for
information on the instrument panel brightness
control and on the dome lamps. A warning chime will
sound if you open the driver's door when the ignition
switch is off and the headlamps are on.
3-15

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
®rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system's automatic headlamp control will
make your high-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:
·The ignition is on,
·the exterior lamps control is off and
·the gearshift is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps,
at a reduced level of brightness, will be on. The
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't
be on. Your instrument panel and cluster won't be lit
up either.When it's dark enough outside, your high-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, your headlamps will go
off and your DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps system when you need it.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave the area around your
vehicle. The feature is activated when the headlamps
are on due to the automatic headlamps control
feature later described in this section, and when the
ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then remain on
until the exterior lamps control is moved to the parking
lamps position or until either a 30 second or 60 second
lighting period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the headlamps switch in
the parking lamps or headlamps position, the delayed
headlamps cycle will not occur.
To disable the delayed headlamps feature or change
the time of delay, see
Vehicle Customization Settings on
page 3-94.
3-16

Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has this
feature, the fog lamps
button is located on
the instrument panel next
to the exterior lamps
control wheel to the left of
the steering column.
To turn the fog lamps on, press the FOG button. A light
will glow in the button to let you know that the fog
lamps are on. Press the FOG button again to turn the
fog lamps off.
The ignition must be in ON and your parking lamps
must be on for your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamps will go off while you change to high-beam
headlamps.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
The knob for the instrument panel light is located on the
exterior lamps control. Pull the knob out halfway and
then turn the knob clockwise to brighten or
counterclockwise to dim the lights.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is opened, the courtesy lamps
automatically come on. They make it easy for you to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also manually turn
these lamps on by turning the exterior lamps control
clockwise all the way to DOME.
The reading lamps, located on the rearview mirror, can
be turned on or off independent of the automatic
courtesy lamps, when the doors are closed.
3-17

Entry Lighting
Your vehicle may have the entry lighting feature. Your
courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open
a door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled if you turn the ignition key to ON
or press the power door lock switch.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting illuminates the interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting
to work. Immediately after both doors have been closed,the delayed entry lighting feature will continue to work
until one of the following occurs:
·The ignition is moved to ON,
·the doors are locked or
·an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the key is removed from the ignition.
The vehicle's ignition must be off for delayed exit
lighting to work.
When the key is removed, interior illumination will
activate and remain on until one of the following occurs:
·The ignition is moved to ON,
·the power door locks are activated or
·an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
3-18

Parade Dimming
The instrument panel has an added feature called
parade dimming. This feature prohibits the dimming of
your instrument panel displays during the daylight
while the headlamps are on so that you'll still be able to
see the displays.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the rearview mirror.
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps come
on when any door is opened. Press the button to turn
them on and off while the doors are closed.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn this lamp on by turning the exterior
lamp control clockwise to DOME.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave on the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor
vanity lamps, trunk lamp or glove box lamps. If you leave
any of these lamps on, they will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes, if the ignition is off. The lamps
won't come back on again until you do the following:
·Turn the ignition on or
·turn the exterior lamps control off, then on again.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on
the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
Battery rundown protection will also work if the
headlamps are left on. After having been left on for
10 minutes, the headlamps and the parking lamps will
¯ash three times. They will remain on for one more
minute before turning off automatically.
3-19

Accessory Power Outlets
Your vehicle has a 12-volt outlet which can be used to
plug in electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone, a compact disc player, etc.
It is located at the rear of
the console.
Lift the cover to access the outlet. When not using the
outlet, make sure the protective cover is in place.
Notice:When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum electrical load must not exceed amperage
rating. Always turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your battery.Certain accessory power plugs may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience
a problem see your dealer for additional information on
the accessory power plugs.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn't be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. Check with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the amperage rating.
Notice:Power outlets are designed for accessory
plugs only. Do not hang any type of accessory
or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty.
3-20

Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)
Your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power
connection. This feature provides power, ground and
accessory wires which can be accessed to add
aftermarket electrical equipment to your vehicle.
It is located on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle, under the
glove box, and is labeled
with a wire function
and fuse rating.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn't be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.For information on accessing the connection and
electrical hookup, please refer to your service manual.
To order a service manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-9.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Notice:Don't put papers or other ¯ammable items
into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them, causing a damaging ®re.
Your vehicle may have a cigarette lighter and ashtray
located on the console. The ashtray is removable
and has a cupholder and liner underneath. To remove
the ashtray, lift it up with the liner and pull it out.
The rear ashtray is located behind a small door at the
rear of the console. Push on the right side of the
door. The ashtray will then turn to the right for usage.
You can only access the ashtray by pushing on the
door's right side. To remove the ashtray, push down on
the snuffer located in the middle of the ashtray and
lift it out.
Notice:Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
To activate the cigarette lighter, push it into the heating
element. When the lighter is ready it will pop out.
3-21

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog and ventilation for your vehicle.
Directing the Air¯ow
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the air¯ow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode allows for approximately a
50/50 split of air to the instrument panel outlets and
to the ¯oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
¯oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically select Outside Air.
The mode knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For information on defogging and
defrosting, see ªDefogging and Defrostingº later in this
section.
It should be noted, that the air conditioning compressor
will be engaged unless the outside temperature is
40É F (4ÉC) or below. Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
3-22