Hey. I know this might be a really novice question, but nonetheless I
would like an answer! I have a ’98 Chevy Malibu and daytime running
lights come standard on all Malibus. The headlights and taillights
automatically turn on when you turn the car on. But as far as I can
tell, the license plate light only turns on if you manually turn the
lighting system on yourself. Is this true or is it supposed to turn on
when in driving gear? Because up until now I’ve never, ever manually
turned on my lights because I haven’t thought I needed to. Thanks for
answering.

--
Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's request
Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
Topic URL: http://www.autoforumz.com/Chevy-Malibu-License-Plate-Light-Don-Laugh-ftopict133937.html
Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse: http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=651014

"Okayitsme" <UseLinkToEmail (AT) AutoForumz (DOT) com> wrote

....as is true for all GM-built vehicles.

When functioning properly, your statement is NOT true IF it is daylight! It
is true ONLY if it's dusk or night. When it's daylight, ONLY the front DRL
(headlamps) come on. The tail lamps and license lamp do NOT come on during
the day (unless done so manually or the car happens to be in a dark place,
like a garage).

Don't feel bad though. Many GM owners are confused about how or when their
lights work. A very common situation.

That is only true in the daytime. *However*, the license plate lights WILL
come on automatically with the rest of the lights if the car is in a dark
enough place or it is night time. Naturally the assumption is that the bulb
isn't burned out! ;-)

Only at night or in a dark enough place. Otherwise, in the daytime no.

Very bad mistake! But a common one for GM owners. It's important to
understand that the auto light control system (on the Malibu especially)
functions intermittantly at best during conditions of daytime fog, rain or
snow. It simply isn't reliable in those situations. So, you should ALWAYS
use the manual switch when driving in those specific conditions in order to
be sure to be in compliance with most state vehicle lighting laws. The auto
light control system only works reliably during night conditions. Check
your manual, it basically tells you this same thing.

Of course the marketing materials used to sell the car say something
different.

Sure. No problem.

RTFM my friend


"Okayitsme" <UseLinkToEmail (AT) AutoForumz (DOT) com> wrote