Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located in the middle
of the turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control
with this symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(On/Off):Turn the control to this position to
turn off all lamps except the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this
position to put the headlamps in automatic mode.
AUTO mode will turn the exterior lamps on
and off depending upon how much light is
available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking
lamps after the windshield wipers have been in
use for about six seconds. For this feature to work,
the exterior lamp control must be in AUTO.
When the exterior lamp control is off or in the
parking lamp position and the windshield wiper
control is in any position except off, the Headlamps
Suggested message will appear on the DIC
display. See “Headlamps Suggested Message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 220
for more information.
When the ignition is turned to OFF, the
wiper-activated headlamps will immediately turn
off. They will also turn off if the windshield
wiper control is turned off.
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Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp
control is left on in either the headlamp or parking
lamp position and the driver’s door is opened
with the ignition off. SeeLights On Reminder on
page 212for additional information.
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. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is daylight and the ignition is in the ON or
START position.
The exterior lamp control is in the off or AUTO
position and the headlamps are off.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps
will be on. No other exterior lamps will be on.
The instrument panel cluster will not be lit
up either.
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Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Service
Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 220.
183
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will
help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying
attention to the warning lights and gages could also
save you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on brie y when
you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on while you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning
lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 214for more information.
197
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 70.
This light will come on
when the ignition key is
turned to ON and it
will ash for a
few seconds.
Then the light should go out. This means the
system is ready. If it does not go out, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on while you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
If there is a problem with the airbag system in
your vehicle, the SERVICE AIR BAG message
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 220for more information.
201