what's the point???

[gw84]

I'd noticed this before but never really paid much attention. The Luminas with DRL (daytime running lights) still have a switch to manually turn the lights on. Why?????? The DRL's come on with the car. There is also a sensor that automatically turns on the taillights as well as instrument panel lights. This knob must be there incase I decide I want to turn my lights on when the car is off....draining the battery . Is there a logical explaination for the knob???

[Supergumby]

When you go through a tunnel, the delay for the automatic headlamps may be too long for the lights to come on for safety (and sometimes legal) reasons.

Also, parking lamps can be manually selected when the vehicle is parked with the key off (hopefully not for very long).

[gw84]

ahhh! I never thought of a tunnel. I live in Southern Illinois. I haven't had to drive through a tunnel since I drove through Atlanta this summer.

[jeffcoslacker]

A backup manual system is desireable in any automated system...did you also know if you set the emergency brake, and start the car, it'll run without the DRL/Twilight sensor headlights on?

Good to know if you're trying to be inconspicuous while on a stakeout, but want the A/C on....

[quteasabutton]

idk..but i figured a way to turn them off with that knob idk if its just my lumina or if they were all made like this but if you turn the knob really slow it'll stick just slightly between position 2 and 3 and the lights will go off. great if u want to run your car but not have the lights on shining into houses or w/e.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by quteasabutten

idk..but i figured a way to turn them off with that knob idk if its just my lumina or if they were all made like this but if you turn the knob really slow it'll stick just slightly between position 2 and 3 and the lights will go off. great if u want to run your car but not have the lights on shining into houses or w/e.

You have found a dead spot in the switch's contacts, exploiting that too much could lead to arcing of the contacts, and eventually have to replace the switch when the headlights stop working...

[tblake]

why not just pull the DRL module fuse? it gets rid of the drl's as well as the crappy automatic headlights.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by tblake

why not just pull the DRL module fuse? it gets rid of the drl's as well as the crappy automatic headlights.

Easy does it.
Some places it is illegal to do things like that.
You are not allowed to remove or tamper with a saftey device.
MT

[Peterg75]

The DRL ususally do not run at full intesity anyway. and if for some reson the automatic sensor not working you might want to switch the headlights on to full power at night. Hense the switch.

[gw84]

I had read in the manual that if you put on the parking brake and then start the car the lights will remain off until you release the brake. That sure could come in handy for someone. Thanks Jeffco. I'm pretty sure the sensor is on the top of the dash on the driver's side and although I'll probably not mess with it, has anyone thought of a way to disable it?? Mrs. Quietasabutten, I'll try the inbetween spot on mine and see if it works. If it works, it's probably not something I'd want to use a lot, as Jeffco. said but it might really come in handy. Thanks to all!