How to Turn Off Automatic Headlights

Headlights are an important safety feature, illuminating your way at night and making your vehicle more visible in bad weather and low-light conditions. Some vehicles may have an electronic headlight control that automatically turns your headlights on at dusk. When the ignition key is tuned off, the headlights will also shut off. Some vehicles may have a delay feature built in that leaves the headlights on for a few seconds once the key is turned off. The automatic headlights can be shut off in some vehicles, allowing you to control the headlights manually with the headlight switch.

General Motors Automatic Headlight System

  • Insert the ignition key into the switch and rotate it to the "ON" position.

  • Press and release the dome override button (near the headlight switch) four times within a six-second time-frame.

  • Listen for a chime, which lets you know that the automatic headlight system has been disabled.

Ford Autolamp Control

  • Locate the Autolamp control knob on the dashboard near the headlight switch.

  • Turn the Autolamp control knob in a clockwise direction to the "OFF" position.

  • Operate the headlights manually using the headlight switch.