headlamp GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

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To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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An arrow on the instrument panel will flash in the
direction of the turn when the lever is in the up or
down position.
This system replaces the turn signal feature of the
multifunction lever only. All other features such as
headlamp high/low beam, windshield wipers and
washer, etc. remain part of the multifunction system.
If you have this system, see ªSignal
-Stat Turn Signal
and Hazard Warning Flasherº in the Index to find out
how the hazard warning flasher portion works.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high, push
the multifunction lever away from you. To switch back
to low beam, pull the lever toward you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
cluster will also be on.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by turning the
band with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For fast wiping, turn the
band to HI. To stop the wipers, turn the band to the
off symbol.
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When the handle is pulled out, the engine air intake
supply is closed off from the front scoop and an under
hood air supply is opened. This control is intended only
for use in cold weather (32
F (0
C) or below) where
snow and ice might plug the external intake.
At temperatures above 32
F (0
C), keep the control
handle pushed in.
NOTICE:
Operating this vehicle with the engine air control
on when outside temperatures are above 32
F
(0
C), could lead to costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. It will also degrade fuel economy
and the engine will not run smoothly.
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
The lamp switches are on the left side of your
instrument panel.
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Press the top left switch to turn on your:

Parking Lamps

Marker Lamps (unless your vehicle has the optional
marker and clearance lamps switch)

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights

License Plate Lamps
Push the bottom left switch to turn on the headlamps, as
well as all of the lamps just listed. Push the switch
marked with the ªOº symbol to turn off your lamps.
Move the thumbwheel to the right of the off switch
down to dim your instrument panel lights. Moving this
wheel up makes these lights brighter. Moving it all the
way up will make the interior lamp come on.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this ever happens.Headlamps On Reminder (If Equipped)
If you have this system, a tone alarm will sound when
your headlamps and/or parking lamps are turned on and
your ignition is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY.
Daytime Running Lamps (If Equipped)
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 high and low
-beam headlamps will come on at
reduced brightness in daylight when:

The ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is off and

The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your low
-beam headlamps
will be on. The exterior lamps won't be on. Your
instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, your DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn your headlamp switch on. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come on.
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When you turn the headlamp switch off, the regular
lamps will go off, and your low
-beam headlamps will
change to the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Marker and Clearance Lamps Switch
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle will have this
switch only if it is designed
to pull a trailer. If it has this
switch, you'll find it on the
upper right side of your
instrument panel, just above
the radio.If your vehicle has no radio, the switch is just above the
storage area. Use the switch to operate your clearance
and marker lamps. The marker lamps are illuminated
when the indicator light is on.
Your headlamps switch will not operate these lamps.
You can use the switch to manually blink the marker and
clearance lamps by simply turning it on and off.
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Interior Lamps
Dome Lamp
The dome lamps will come on when you open the
driver's door. You can also turn the dome lamps on by
turning the interior lamp dimmer dial all the way up
until it clicks.
Mirrors
Inside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
Press the tab under the mirror to reduce glare at night
from headlamps behind you.
Outside Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirror or
mirrors by hand so you can
just see the side of your
vehicle when you're sitting
in the driver's seat. These
mirrors can fold in toward
the vehicle for entering
narrow garages and for
clearance in an automatic
vehicle wash.
If your mirrors have the clearance lamps, they'll be on
when your parking lamps are on.
Convex Outside Mirrors (Option)
Your vehicle may have optional convex mirrors. A
convex mirror's surface is curved so you can see more
from the driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right or left lane,
you could hit a vehicle. Check your regular
outside mirrors (or your inside mirror, if you
have one) before changing lanes.
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2-67 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
This light is located on the
upper cluster portion of the
instrument panel. It goes on
whenever the Daytime
Running Lamps are on. See
ªDaytime Running Lampsº
in the Index.
When it begins to get dark, the DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn on your headlamps.
Check Gages Indicator Light (If Equipped)
This light will come on as
you're starting the engine,
just as a check.
If it ever comes on and stays on while you are driving,
however, it means that either your engine coolant
temperature gage or your engine oil pressure gage may
be showing a reading in the warning zone.
When the CHECK GAGES light comes on, you will
also hear a warning tone. The tone and the light will stay
activated until the problem is corrected.
This light may also come on if your vehicle is equipped
with the optional automatic engine shutdown system and
engine shutdown has begun. See ªEngine Automatic
Shutdownº in the Index.
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Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
-- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50
-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20
-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you're
driving, don't wear sunglasses at night. They may cut
down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot
of things invisible.
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You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you
are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who
doesn't lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren't even aware of it.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can't stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire
-to-road traction isn't as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don't have much tread left, you'll get
even less traction. It's always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
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4-18 Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine's air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you
can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your low-beam headlamps and your marker
and clearance lamps, if your vehicle has them
-- not
just your parking lamps
-- to help make you more
visible to others.

Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.

Have good tires with proper tread depth.
(See ªTiresº in the Index.)
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