2002 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 107

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. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada. The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when the following conditions are met: Automatic Light Control (ALC) When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim. Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system to be on whenever the ignition is on. The ALC system may also be on when driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel. This is normal. There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay. To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release the parking brake. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamps when you need them. D The ignition is on, D the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO or parking lamps only position, D the light sensor detects daytime light, D the parking brake is released, and D the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an automatic transaxle only. When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it. 2-44