Inside Rearview Mirror with the Automatic Day-Night Feature System Components
The inside rearview mirror with the automatic day-night feature system consists
of the following components:
| • | Driver outside rearview mirror with the automatic day-night feature |
| • | Ambient air temperature sensor |
Inside Rearview Mirror with the Automatic Day-Night Feature System Operation
The inside rearview mirror uses 2 photocell sensors. One sensor is
the headlight sensor, located on the rear side of the mirror. The headlight sensor
is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror face. The other sensor
is the ambient light sensor, located on the front of the mirror or windshield side.
The ambient light sensor is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror.
With automatic day-night feature enabled, the mirror uses ambient light sensor
to determine the exterior light condition. With a low light condition detected, and
a high light condition from behind at the headlight sensor, the inside
rearview mirror will automatically darken the face of the mirror.
In the daytime, the mirror is in a normal state because of the high light
condition that is indicated by the ambient light sensor. With the gear selector
lever in the REVERSE position, backup lamp supply voltage is supplied as an input
to the inside rearview mirror. In night time conditions only, the mirror monitors
this input to disable the automatic day-night feature which allows the face to
gradually change to a normal state. This allows the driver to see objects in the
mirror clearly when backing up.
Driver Outside Rearview Mirror with the Automatic Day-Night Feature
Operation
The inside rearview mirror will also darken the driver outside rearview
mirror. The inside rearview mirror supplies a low reference circuit
and a signal circuit to the driver outside rearview mirror. Refer
to
Outside Mirror Description and Operation in Doors for further description and
operation of the driver outside rearview mirror.
Compass
The mirror uses two magnetic field sensors for compass direction. One
sensor is for north and south, the other is for east and west. The mirror
supplies a signal and low reference to each sensor. As the vehicle travels
with or against the earth's magnetic pull, there will be a change in voltage
on one or both sensors. As a result of the change in voltage, the mirror
changes the heading on the compass display.
Temperature Display
The inside rearview mirror monitors the ambient air temperature sensor. As the
outside air temperature gets warmer, the ambient air temperature sensor will lower
resistance. The inside rearview mirror monitors this change and will show this as
a warmer temperature on the display. Temperatures exceeding 62°C (143°F)
will be out of the mirror's temperature range and SC will be shown on the temperature
display. In colder outside air temperatures, the ambient air temperature sensor
will raise in resistance. The inside rearview mirror will show a colder temperature
on the display. Temperatures lower than -40°C (-40°F) will be out of the
mirror's temperature range and OC will be shown on the temperature display. In cold
temperatures such as 3°C (37°F) or below, the temperature display will
show ICE when the ignition is first turned on. The display will toggle between ICE
and the actual outside temperature until the temperature update process is complete.
Temperature Display Update Process
The inside rearview mirror has a temperature program that takes in account
the fact that the radiator will heat the ambient air temperature sensor if
the radiator is warm and the vehicle is not moving. If the vehicle has been
off for more than 2 hours, the mirror temperature program assumes that the radiator
has cooled and that the temperature supplied by the ambient air temperature sensor
is accurate. Because of this, if the vehicle has been off for more than 2 hours,
the mirror displays the temperature as reported by the ambient air temperature
sensor. When the ambient air temperature sensor reports a new temperature to
the mirror, one of the following cases will apply:
| • | Ignition is off for more than 2 hours, then is turned on for more than
3 minutes. The outside temperature is greater than the last temperature recorded
by the mirror for 2 minutes. The mirror will increase the last temperature reading
by one degree every 2 minutes for 8 consecutive times. If the outside temperature
is not matched after the 8th update, the mirror will then display the current
outside temperature. |
| • | Ignition is off for more than 2 hours, then is turned on for less than
3 minutes. The mirror will update the temperature display every 2 seconds. |
| • | Ignition is off for more than 2 hours, then is turned on for more than
3 minutes. The outside temperature is less than the last temperature recorded
by the mirror. The mirror will then display the current outside temperature. |
| • | Ignition has been off for less than 2 hours. The outside
temperature is greater than the last temperature recorded by the mirror, but the
ignition is cycled from on to off within 2 minutes. The mirror will display the
old temperature. |
| • | Ignition has been off for less than 2 hours. The outside temperature
is less than the last temperature recorded by the mirror. The mirror will then
display the current outside temperature. |
Switches of the Inside Rearview Mirror with the Automatic Day-Night
Feature, Compass/Temperature Display without OnStar®
The inside rearview mirror has two switches that perform the following
functions:
| • | The TEMP switch is used to turn the compass/temperature display
on or off, It is also used to enable or disable the automatic day-night feature
of the mirror. With the ignition in the ON position, depress the TEMP switch
to enable the compass/temperature display. Depress the TEMP switch
again to disable the compass/temperature display. The TEMP switch
can be held for 4 seconds in order to change the display from Fahrenheit
(°F) to Celsius (°C), or from Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit
(°F). Depress the TEMP switch until the green indicator illuminates
on the mirror. This indicates that the automatic day-night feature is enabled.
To disable the automatic day-night feature of the mirror, depress the TEMP
switch until the green indicator turns off. |
| • | The COMP switch is used to turn the compass/temperature display
on or off. With the ignition in the ON position, depress the COMP switch
to turn the compass/temperature display on. Depress the COMP switch
again to turn the compass/temperature display off. The COMP switch
is also used to place the compass into a calibration or zone
mode. For more information, refer to
Compass Calibration and Magnetic Variance
. |
