PONTIAC GRAND AM 1999 Owners Manual

yellowblue
2-37
Exterior LampsRotate the turn signal lever end cap up one position to
turn on your:

Parking Lamps

Side Marker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the turn signal lever end cap up two positions to
turn on your:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch to OFF to turn all of the lamps off.

yellowblue
2-38 Lamps On Reminder
If you turn off the ignition and open the driver's door while
leaving the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
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 ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is in OFF or you have turned
on your parking lamps,

The light sensor detects daytime light,

The parking brake is released and

The shift lever is not in PARK (P).When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, park lamps and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated.
The DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle
is in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged and the
vehicle speed is less than 3 mph (1.9 km/h).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps along with
other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
park 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. This will cause the ALC system to
be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also come on when driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a
tunnel. This is normal.

yellowblue
2-39
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
headlamp system when you need it.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF.
If you wish to turn off the headlamps rather than have
them remain on for 20 seconds, turn the turn
signal/multifunction lever end cap up one position and
back to OFF.
Fog Lamps
The button for your fog
lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
intensity control.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low
-beam headlamps.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high
-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.

yellowblue
2-40
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel cluster
lights by moving the thumb wheel to the right to
increase intensity and to the left to decrease intensity.
The thumb wheel is located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.
Courtesy Lamp Control
When the thumbwheel for the instrument panel intensity
control is moved to the right, the dome lamp, the mirror
reading lamps (if equipped) and the footwell lamps will
turn on. Move the thumbwheel to the left, to turn the
lamps off.
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you lift the driver's door handle or open the
driver's door, the lamps inside your vehicle will go on.
These lamps will fade out after about 10 seconds, or
when the ignition is turned on after all doors have been
closed. These lamps will also go on when you press the
trunk release or UNLOCK button on the optional
keyless entry system transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

yellowblue
2-41 Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the lamps off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel intensity control thumbwheel is moved
to the right. The OFF position will shut off the lamp
completely, even when a door is opened.

yellowblue
2-42 Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
footwell, dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the
ignition is turned off, the battery saver system will
automatically shut the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, either:

Lift the driver's door handle, or

Open any door, or

Press any keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped), or

Press the power door lock switch, or

Press the remote trunk release, or

Switch the dome lamp from OFF to ON.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the angle of the mirror, move the mirror to a position
that allows you see to out the back window. To adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.

yellowblue
2-43 Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting
in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's side outside mirror with the control
lever on the driver's door.
To adjust your passenger's side mirror, sit in the driver's
seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror for you.
Power Remote Control Mirror
(If Equipped)
This selector knob
controls both outside
rearview mirrors.Select the mirror you want to adjust by turning the knob
to the left or right. Adjust each mirror so that you can
see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Turn the knob to the center to turn the remote control
mirror off.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. 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 lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

yellowblue
2-44
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle up.
Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
driver's side of the lid.
Rear Seat Cupholder
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholder.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.
Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
You can also remove the cigarette lighter to plug in
additional accessories. Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions that are included with any
electrical accessory you install.

yellowblue
2-45
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Lift the cover to expose the vanity mirror.
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Open the sunshade by hand when using the vent position.
To use the vent position of the sunroof, push the switch
back and release it. This is the express vent mode of
the sunroof.To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release. This is the express open mode of the
sunroof and sunshade.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if the
switch is released during operation. If desired, you may
close the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.

yellowblue
2-46
The Instrument Panel - Your Information System