1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 99
1997 Pontiac Grand Am Manual
Page 99 highlights
Daytime Running Lamps Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset. The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when: The engine is running, 0 Automatic Light Control (ALC) Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor on top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be sure it is not covered which will cause the nighttime lights to be on continuously. When it is dark enough outside, your ALC willturn on your low-beam headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, park lamps and instrument panel lights. There is a 20-second delay in the transition between daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC systems. If the light sensor senses a reduction in lighting that lasts longer than 20 seconds, it will activate the nighttime lamps. If you aredriving through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather, a tunnel or fueling your vehicle in a low light area, the ALC will turn onyour low-beam headlamps at a normal brightness along with the taillamps, sidemarker, park lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will be dimmer. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it. The headlamp switch is in the OFF position, The light sensor detects daytime light, The parking brake is released and The shift lever is not in PARK (P) on an automatic transaxle. 0 When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker, park lamps and instrument panel lights will notbe illuminated. The DRL and ALC systems will remain off any time the your automatic transaxle vehicle is in PARK (P) andthe parking brake is engaged. The DRL andthe ALC systems will remain off any time your manual transaxle vehicle is in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake is engaged.