headlamp PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 User Guide

When it is dark enough outside, the DRL will turn off
and the vehicle’s headlamps and parking lamps will turn
on. The other lamps that come on with the headlamps
will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will go
off and the DRL will come on.
To idle the vehicle with the DRL off, turn the exterior
lamp control off and then do one of the following:
Turn the exterior lamp control to the parking
lamp position.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the headlamp
position.
Turn the exterior lamp control from AUTO to off
and back to AUTO.
This feature is not available for vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it is
dark outside, move the exterior lamp control to the
parking lamp position. The parking lamps will remain
illuminated and the headlamps will turn off. The
fog lamps will also go on if they were on previously.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Fog Lamps
If equipped, fog lamps provide brighter roadway lighting
for better vision in foggy or misty conditions.
-(Fog Lamps):Turn the second band on the exterior
lamps control lever to this position to turn the fog
lamps on. The band will return to its original position.
This symbol appears on
the instrument panel
cluster when the fog
lamps are on.
To turn the fog lamps off, turn the band up to the fog
lamp symbol and release it. The band will return
to its original position. If the high-beam headlamps are
on, the fog lamps will turn off. The fog lamps will go
on again when the low-beam headlamps are turned
back on.
The parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps
to work.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
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Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the parking lamps or headlamps have been left on
after the ignition has been turned to off, the exterior
lamps will turn off after about 10 minutes. This protects
the battery from being drained.
Use the exterior lamp control to turn the lamps back on,
if they are still needed.
Interior Lamps
The interior lamps can be controlled, or automatically
turn on or off under certain conditions. They are
explained in the following text.
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The interior lamps
control is located on
the instrument panel,
to the left of the
steering column.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel lights.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is opened, the courtesy lamps will
automatically come on. These lamps will also come on
when the interior lamps control is fully turned clockwise.
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Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the
state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage
or voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC),
you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active. If this message is displayed, it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-67.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from draining in case the interior, trunk, or underhood
lamps are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps are
left on while the ignition is in LOCK/OFF, they will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps will not
come back on again until any of the following are done:
The ignition is turned to ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The interior lamps control is turned completely to
the right, then back slightly to the left.
Open, or close and reopen, a door that is closed.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
3-22

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9
for more information.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows
about how much fuel is
left in the fuel tank
when the ignition is on.
When the indicator nears empty, there is still a little fuel
left, but you should get more soon.
Here are four things owners usually ask about the fuel
gage. All these situations are normal and do not
indicate a problem with the fuel gage:
At the gas station the pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes more or less fuel to ll up than the gage
indicates. For example, the gage reads half full,
but it took more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate full when the ignition is
turned off.
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5. Press the set/reset button to scroll through the
months of the year, releasing the button when
the correct month appears.
6. Press the options button to advance to the days
of the month.
7. Press the set/reset button to scroll through the
days of the month, releasing the button when
the correct day appears.
8. Press the options button again to advance to the
main date screen. The screen will now display
the new date.
9. Press the options button to advance to the
next screen.
Language:This menu allows selection of the language
in which the DIC messages will appear. The DIC can
be programmed in one of three languages: English,
French, or Spanish. The message on the HUD, if
equipped, will also appear in the language selected.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23.
To change the language:
1. Press the options button to enter the language
screen.
2. Press the set/reset button to scroll through and
set the language choice.
3. Press the options button again to advance to
the next screen.DISPLAY UNITS:This menu allows selection of
measurements to be displayed in English or metric
units. The messages on the HUD, if equipped, and the
instrument panel cluster will also appear in the type
of measurement selected.
To set the display units function:
1. Press the set/reset button to select ENGLISH
or METRIC.
2. Press the options button to advance to the next
screen.
DAYTIME DISPLAY ENHANCEMENT:This menu
allows selection of the color of the display message.
When ON is selected for the daytime enhancement,
the messages will appear black on a red screen. This
combination makes it easier to see the DIC messages
during the daytime. When OFF is selected, or when
the headlamps are on, the messages will appear red
on a black background.
To set the daytime display enhancement function:
1. Press the set/reset button to select OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button to advance to the
next screen.
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5. Press the set/reset button to scroll through the
months of the year, releasing the button when
the correct month appears.
6. Press the options button to advance to the days of
the month.
7. Press the set/reset button to scroll through the days
of the month, releasing the button when the correct
day appears.
8. Press the options button again to advance to the
main date screen. The screen will now display the
new date.
Language:This menu allows the selection of the
language in which the DIC messages will appear. The
DIC can be programmed to one of three languages:
English, French, or Spanish. The message on the HUD,
if equipped, will also appear in the language selected.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23.
To change the language:
1. Press the options button to enter the language
screen.
2. Press the set/reset button to scroll through and set
the language choice.
3. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.DISPLAY UNITS:This menu allows selection of
measurements to be displayed in English or metric units.
The messages on the HUD, if equipped, and the
instrument panel cluster will also appear with the type of
measurement selected.
To set the measurement when Display Units is shown:
1. Press the set/reset button to select ENGLISH
or METRIC.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
DAYTIME DISPLAY ENHANCEMENT:This menu
allows selection of the color of the display message.
When ON is selected for the daytime enhancement,
the messages will appear black on a red screen. This
combination makes it easier to see the DIC messages
during the daytime. When OFF is selected, or when
the headlamps are on, the messages will appear red on
a black background.
To set the daytime display enhancement:
1. Press the set/reset button to select OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button again to advance to
the next screen.
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CRUISE SET
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message and symbol display briey whenever the
cruise control is set. The cruise control light on the
instrument panel cluster also comes on when cruise
control is set. SeeCruise Control Light on page 3-53.
CRUISE SET also appears briey in the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if your vehicle has this feature. This
message displays when the ignition is in ON/RUN.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-12for more information.
This message does not need to be acknowledged.
DELAYED LOCKING
This message displays when the doors of the vehicle
are closed and the delayed locking feature has
been programmed through the DIC. See “DELAYED
LOCKING” underDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 3-89for more information.This message displays when the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF. A chime sounds for two seconds
when this message is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays when the amount of available
light outside the vehicle is low and the exterior
lamps control has been turned off. This condition
happens when the headlamps are turned off at night
or the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are turned
off during the day. This message informs the driver
that it has become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps to be turned on. When the headlamps
are turned on, this message clears from the screen.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-16andDaytime Running
Lamps (DRL) on page 3-17for more information.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds for two seconds when this message
is displayed. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display if it has not
been acknowledged when the engine is turned off.
It also re-displays for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-71

DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can only be programmed
to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be displayed
on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then. The
customization preferences are automatically recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the
following procedure.
Entering the Personal Programming Mode
1. Turn the ignition on and make sure the vehicle
is in PARK (P).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the options button until PERSONAL
PROGRAMMING MODE appears on the DIC.3. Press the set/reset button to display the
rst screen.
4. Press the options button to access these modes:
Personal Programming Mode Screens
EXTERIOR LIGHTING DELAY:This screen allows
this feature to be turned off, or allows the selection of the
number of seconds the exterior lamps are turned on
after the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle
is unlocked using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
If OFF is selected, the exterior lamps will not turn on.
If a time delay is chosen, the lamps will turn on for
the selected time. The time delay will be cancelled
and the exterior lamps will turn on automatically when
the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle
is unlocked using the RKE transmitter.
To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
the selection you want to program. Choose from
OFF, 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
3-89

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
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 might need at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
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You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see
it or smell it, so you might not know it is in
your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
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