Lighting Systems - Exterior (Service Information): Description: Description

The exterior lighting system for this model includes the following exterior lamp units:

• Center High Mounted Stop Lamp  - A Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) is centered on the rear shelf trim panel at the base of the back glass on sedans, and on the liftgate spoiler just above the liftgate glass opening at the rear of the vehicle on the wagon.
• Front Fog Lamps  - Vehicles equipped with this option have a fog lamp unit mounted near each outboard end of the front bumper support, behind the lower portion of the front fascia.
• Front Headlamp Units  - A front headlamp unit is mounted to the front of each front fender panel on either side of the grille opening.
• License Plate Lamp  - A rear license plate lamp unit is mounted to the rear fascia, just above the license plate tub.
• Outside Rear View Mirrors - 300C Heritage Edition only  - On the 300C Heritage Edition, the outside rear view mirrors will incorporate a LED Approach Lamp and three turn signal LED's, located on the outer edge of the mirror glass.
• Tail Lamp Units  - A tail lamp unit is mounted to the rear of each quarter panel on either side of the liftgate opening.

These exterior lighting lamps and their controls are combined to provide the following exterior lighting features:

• Approach Lamps - 300C Heritage Edition Only  - Sometimes referred to as "Puddle Lamps", these lamps illuminate the ground where occupants will be stepping as they approach and enter the vehicle. Located within the outside rear view mirror glass, they will illuminate when the vehicles courtesy lamps are ON.
• Automatic Headlamps  - Vehicles with the automatic (auto low) headlamps option are equipped with a unique headlamp switch that includes an A  (Automatic) position and have an automatic headlamp sensor to sense ambient levels. The automatic headlamp sensor is integral to the sun load sensor located on the top of the instrument panel of vehicles without automatic wipers, or is integral to the Rain Sensor Module (RSM) located on the inside of the windshield below the inside rear view mirror mounting button of vehicles with automatic wipers. When the A  position of the headlamp switch is selected, the headlamps are turned ON and OFF automatically as ambient light levels dictate.
• Daytime Running Lamps  - Vehicles manufactured for sale in Canada illuminate the low beam filament of the headlamp bulb in each front lamp unit to serve as the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). Fleet vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States illuminate the high beam filament of the headlamp bulb in each front lamp unit to serve as the DRL.
• SmartBeam® Automatic Headlamps  - Vehicles equipped with the automatic (auto low) headlamp system may also have the SmartBeam® automatic (auto high) headlamp option available. SmartBeam® includes a unique digital light-sensing imager camera integral to the electrochromic inside rear view mirror and programming that allows it to detect the light levels, their color and their source within the path ahead of the vehicle. When SmartBeam® is enabled, the A  (Automatic) position of the headlamp switch is selected, the high beam is selected with the control stalk being pushed forward, the headlamp high beams are turned ON and OFF automatically as needed.

Other components of the exterior lighting system for this vehicle include:

• Backup Lamp Switch  - The Front Control Module/Totally Integrated Power Module (FCM/TIPM) provides an output to control the backup (reverse) lamps in this vehicle based upon one of two optional control inputs. On Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) models, a Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) integral to the solenoid pack on the valve body of the electronic automatic transmission provides the control input to the FCM/TIPM. On All Wheel Drive (AWD) models, the control input is provided to the FCM/TIPM by the transmission gear selector mechanism.
• Brake Lamp Switch  - A plunger-type brake lamp switch is located on the steering column support bracket under the instrument panel and is actuated by the brake pedal arm.
• Front Control Module  - The Front Control Module (FCM) is integral to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The FCM/TIPM is located in the engine compartment, near the battery and the Power Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to DESCRIPTION .
• Headlamp Switch  - A headlamp switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel, below and outboard of the steering column. The headlamp switch includes a rotary knob for the park lamps and headlamps On or Off, and a push button switch for selecting the front fog lamps on vehicles so equipped. The headlamp switch also features a vertical thumbwheel for selecting the panel lamps dimming level, a Parade mode to illuminate all Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) units at full brightness for visibility when driving in daylight with the exterior lighting turned On, and for interior lighting control.
• Instrument Cluster  - The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) is also known as the Cab Control Node (CCN) in this vehicle. The EMIC/CCN is located in the instrument panel above the steering column opening, directly in front of the driver. Refer to DESCRIPTION .
• Multi-Function Switch  - The multi-function switch is located on the steering column, just below the steering wheel. A control stalk that extends from the left side of the switch is used to select the turn signal lamps (right or left) and to select the headlamp beam (low, high or optical horn).
• Outside Rear View Mirror Mounted Turn Signal Lamps - 300C Heritage Edition Only  - These LED's will illuminate whenever the vehicles standard equipment turn signals are used. They are the three lower LED's on the outside edge of the outside rear view mirror.
• SmartBeam® Module  - The SmartBeam® automatic high beam digital imaging camera and system logic circuitry is integral to the electrochromic inside rear view mirror on the inside of the windshield.