
The method to use the lights on the Cavalier is as follows: 1. Rotate the light control lever to the 'auto' position to turn on the headlights; 2. Pull the light control lever towards yourself once to flash the high beams; 3. Push the lever forward to keep the high beams on continuously; 4. Move the lever upwards to turn on the right turn signal, and downwards to turn on the left turn signal; 5. Rotate the top of the light control lever to turn on the front and rear fog lights. Taking the 2020 Chevrolet Cavalier as an example, it is a compact car with the following dimensions: length 4474mm, width 1730mm, height 1471mm, wheelbase 2600mm, minimum ground clearance 135mm, and curb weight 1120kg.

















I'm a Chevy Cavalier owner and have been driving this car for three years. The light control stalk is on the left side of the steering wheel, with several settings on the rotary knob: normally keep it on AUTO, the lights will turn on automatically when it gets dark; turn to the first position for parking lights, the second position is low beam. For high beam, push the entire stalk forward all the way, and a blue indicator will light up on the dashboard. Turn signal up for right turn, down for left turn. To activate fog lights, first turn on low beam, then press the fog light button on the stalk head. Remember not to keep high beams on constantly as it will blind oncoming drivers. I recommend testing it multiple times when picking up the car, as light responses vary in different road conditions.

Last month I test-drove the Cavalier, and the salesperson showed me the lighting controls. The top of the left-hand stalk is a rotary switch: position 0 turns off the lights, position 1 is for parking lights, and position 2 activates the low beams. The nearby AUTO setting is very practical, automatically switching lights when entering or exiting tunnels. Pushing the stalk flashes the high beams for passing, while pressing it all the way forward turns on the high beams. The fog light button is on the side of the stalk—remember to turn on the low beams first before using it. In rainy or foggy conditions, both front and rear fog lights should be activated, with the red light at the rear being particularly noticeable. The knob has clear icons, making it much simpler than the older models.

Driving the Cavalier frequently at night requires familiarity with the light settings. Rotating the knob on the left stalk to AUTO is the most hassle-free option. For manual control: turn it up one notch for parking lights, two notches for low beams. To activate high beams, push the stalk forward; the fog light button is located on the side of the turn signal stalk. Key point about high beam switching: a light push flashes the lights as a reminder, while a firm push keeps them on continuously. The auto headlights may react slightly slower when starting in a garage, requiring manual activation of the low beams.

After driving a Cavalier for five years, I've found the light stalk has three key functions: the rotary knob controls basic light modes, the push-pull lever handles high/low beam switching, and the button operates fog lights. Daily use in AUTO mode is convenient, while manually switching to low beam and activating front/rear fog lights is recommended during rain. Use high beams on unlit suburban roads but promptly switch back to low beams when spotting approaching vehicles. The turn signal lever features auto-return functionality - a light tap triggers three flashes ideal for lane changes. Reminder for beginners: the stalk surface easily collects fingerprints affecting operation, remember to wipe it regularly.

The design of the Cavalier's light stalk is quite user-friendly. I'm used to setting the knob to the AUTO position, which automatically turns on the lights at dusk—super convenient. For manual adjustment: turn the knob once to activate the parking lights, and another turn to switch on the headlights. Push the entire stalk forward to engage the high beams, indicated by a blue light on the dashboard. The fog light is controlled by a button at the end of the stalk and requires the headlights to be on first. Key note: The auto headlight sensor is located behind the rearview mirror at the center of the windshield—avoid applying dark tint films that may affect its sensitivity. Remember to turn on the fog lights in rainy conditions; the red light helps following vehicles spot you earlier.


