Pontiac 1998 Grand Am Owner's Manual page 104

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps
(Dm)
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:
0
The engine is running,
0
The headlamp switch is OFF,
The light sensor detects daytime light,
The parking brake is released and
The shift lever is not in PARK (P) on an
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated.
automatic transaxle.
The DIU and ALC systems will remain off any time
your automatic transaxle vehicle is
in
Park (P) and the
parking brake is engaged.
The
DFU
and
ALC
systems will remain off any time
your manual transaxle vehicle is in Neutral (N) and the
parking brake is engaged.
As with any vehicle, you should
turn
on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Light Control (ALC)
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor
on top of the instrument panel under the defroster
grin,
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 will turn on
your headlamps that you were last using at the normal
brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument panel lights.
There is a 20-second delay in the transition between
daytime and nighttime operation
of
the DRL and
L C
systems. If the light sensor senses a reduction in lighting
that lasts longer than 20-seconds, it will activate the
nighttime lamps. If you are driving through a parking
garage, heavy overcast weather, a tunnel or fueling your
vehicle in a low light area, the ALC will turn on your
low-beam headlamps at a normal brightness along with
the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking 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.