night vision CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2007 2.G Owners Manual

Page 218 of 618

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.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage,
the automatic headlamp system will come
on immediately. Once you leave the garage,
it will take approximately one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL
if it is light outside. During that delay, your
instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 219.Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps you can use them
for better vision in foggy or misty conditions.
Your parking lamps and/or low-beam headlamps
must be on for your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp button is located on the left side of
your instrument panel.
-(Fog Lamps):Press the button to turn the
fog lamps on. An indicator light will glow near
the button when the fog lamps are on. Press the
button again to turn them off.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as
much light as your headlamps. Never use your
fog lamps in the dark without turning on the
headlamps.
218

Page 385 of 618

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage. Also, check
the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
385

Page 386 of 618

No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the
day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear
sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble
adjusting to night. But if you are driving, do not
wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a
lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or
even several seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust
to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare,
as from a driver who does not lower the high
beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps,
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching headlamps.Keep the windshield and all the glass on your
vehicle clean — inside and out. Glare at night is
made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even
the inside of the glass can build up a lm caused
by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and
ash more than clean glass would, making the
pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as the headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer
from night blindness — the inability to see in dim
light — and are not even aware of it.
386