So, your Silverado is likely to have daytime running lights which is pretty convenient at all times. It's much safer to have those lights on when you drive, especially out of the city. On highways, having the daytime lights on minimizes the risks of the accident because other drivers see you very well and can maneuver based on your position on the road.
Car lights problems highlights
- Level of urgency:low
- DIY inspection:possible
- DIY repairs:possible
- Can you drive?yes
- Price of repairs:$20 - $150
- If ignored:fines, discomfort, poor visibility
- Ways to fix:check fuses, check lamps, check wiring
How to turn on these daytime lights in the Silverado?
If you are asking this question, we have some bad news for you. These lights are automatically on, so if they are off, they should be failing. But the secret is that you just may not see that they are on because you need to know how exactly they work.
Here are some important things to consider:
- the lights are automatically on when you start your car and put it in Drive;
- also, the lights are always on when you are driving the vehicle;
- they go off once you turn on the headlights because it's illegal to have them all on at once, in most states;
- they will also go off when you park your vehicle, put it in Park;
- of course, the lights will go off once you turn off the engine.
So, if you just start the engine, the daytime lights will not automatically turn on, in most Silverado generations. They will stay off until you put the truck in Drive. But at this moment you shouldn't go out of the vehicle to see if the lights are working. The car will start moving, so you can only ask someone to look at them.
Can you turn on the daytime lights in the Silverado manually?
No, this is an automatic function in all modern cars. Also, this is a safety feature, so turning it off is not a simple task, too. You should understand how they work to see if these lights are malfunctioning.
So, you shouldn't turn anything on to make your daytime running lights on. If they are still off in your Silverado when you drive, it's a problem that should be diagnosed and repaired. The newer the vehicle is, the more expensive it is to repair the lights.
How to turn the daytime running lights along with headlights in the Silverado?
It's possible only with some barbaric invasions into the electrical system of the vehicle. Originally, once you turn on the headlights, the daytime running lights are off to let the headlights do their job.
In most American states, the law says that no more than 4 lights can be on simultaneously in a car. So, if your fog lights are on and you turn on the headlights, the daytime lights will be illegal. That's why the manufacturer of the Silverado thought about your family budget and set those daytime lights to go off once you turn on the headlights.
This way, it's impossible that more than 4 lights are on at any time in your car.
How to shut off the daytime running lights completely in the Silverado?
Well, you should be sure you want to do this. The most common reason why people do that is that they believe there is a huge battery drain because of these daytime lights. But it's wrong. The daytime running lights only work when the alternator is engaged. They don't drain the battery at all. If you believe that your Silverado consumes more gasoline because of these lights, this should be about 10 grams a day, so nothing to worry about.
If there is some other reason you want to turn off the daytime running light, you can do that in two ways:
- First: locate the fuse that powers the daytime running lights wiring. Take this fuse out and the task is completed.
- Second: ECU tuning will help you. Find a guy who has the needed equipment and can introduce your Silverado to new settings. Once the new settings are completed, the DRL will work the way you want.
ATTENTION: We don't recommend messing with the daytime running lights. This is an important part of safety on the road, so just let it work as it should. If the DRL is malfunctioning, make sure you repair it as soon as possible.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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