Twilight Sentinel
Encyclopedia
On an automobile, Twilight Sentinel is a device on General Motors' cars that senses outside light and turns the exterior lights on and off depending on lighting conditions.
In addition, Twilight Sentinel also allows the driver to set a timer (located with the headlight switch) that delays shutting off the headlights for a specified time period, usually up to three minutes. The driver can park his/her vehicle, shut off the car's engine and exit the automobile after dark, then use the headlights to light his/her path into a nearby building, such as a house, before the system shuts the headlights off automatically.
An electric photocell located in the dashboard detected lighting conditions and activated the headlights as appropriate. Usually, this would mean turning on the headlights at dusk and shutting them off after sunrise. During daytime driving, the photocell would be able to keep the headlights off when driving under a bridge, through a short tunnel, etc.
However, Twilight Sentinel does not automatically shut off the headlights if the driver manually turns the headlights on (he/she must manually turn the headlights off), nor does it turn on the exterior lights for driving conditions such as heavy rain or fog (however in some newer versions of the system, Twilight Sentinel is linked to GM's RainSense automatic windshield wiper system to turn lights on automatically when the wipers are on).
Twilight Sentinel was first offered as an option on 1960 Buicks. It was later offered in Cadillac automobiles in 1964. This feature received expanded availability on selected Buick
, Oldsmobile
, Pontiac
and Chevrolet
models in later years.
A related feature offered on many General Motors models during the 1950s and 1960s was the Autronic Eye headlight dimming system (which did just that). Cadillac later referred to its automatic dimming system as "Guidematic Headlamp Control" which encompassed Twilight Sentinel and Dimming Sentinel controls. (See Discussion Page)
Ford Motor Company
offers a nearly identical exterior lights on/off/delay shut-off system called AutoLamp. The Ford automatic headlamp system could be had with automatic dimming on Lincoln models until the late 1980's. Chrysler offered an automatic headlamp control system in the 1960's called "Sentinel" lights; then discontinued the option after its large cars were redesigned for the 1969 model year.
[Correction: Chrysler offered Twilight Sentinel on Imperial model from 1967-1975, other full-size C-body Chrysler products had it as an option from 1965 or 1966 through 1975 as well. Sources: sales literature, imperialclub.com, fuselage.de]
In addition, Twilight Sentinel also allows the driver to set a timer (located with the headlight switch) that delays shutting off the headlights for a specified time period, usually up to three minutes. The driver can park his/her vehicle, shut off the car's engine and exit the automobile after dark, then use the headlights to light his/her path into a nearby building, such as a house, before the system shuts the headlights off automatically.
An electric photocell located in the dashboard detected lighting conditions and activated the headlights as appropriate. Usually, this would mean turning on the headlights at dusk and shutting them off after sunrise. During daytime driving, the photocell would be able to keep the headlights off when driving under a bridge, through a short tunnel, etc.
However, Twilight Sentinel does not automatically shut off the headlights if the driver manually turns the headlights on (he/she must manually turn the headlights off), nor does it turn on the exterior lights for driving conditions such as heavy rain or fog (however in some newer versions of the system, Twilight Sentinel is linked to GM's RainSense automatic windshield wiper system to turn lights on automatically when the wipers are on).
Twilight Sentinel was first offered as an option on 1960 Buicks. It was later offered in Cadillac automobiles in 1964. This feature received expanded availability on selected Buick
Buick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
, Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
, Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
and Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
models in later years.
A related feature offered on many General Motors models during the 1950s and 1960s was the Autronic Eye headlight dimming system (which did just that). Cadillac later referred to its automatic dimming system as "Guidematic Headlamp Control" which encompassed Twilight Sentinel and Dimming Sentinel controls. (See Discussion Page)
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
offers a nearly identical exterior lights on/off/delay shut-off system called AutoLamp. The Ford automatic headlamp system could be had with automatic dimming on Lincoln models until the late 1980's. Chrysler offered an automatic headlamp control system in the 1960's called "Sentinel" lights; then discontinued the option after its large cars were redesigned for the 1969 model year.
[Correction: Chrysler offered Twilight Sentinel on Imperial model from 1967-1975, other full-size C-body Chrysler products had it as an option from 1965 or 1966 through 1975 as well. Sources: sales literature, imperialclub.com, fuselage.de]