Anyone have ONSTAR?

[kpgclark]

We just bought a car that has ONSTAR. We get a bunch of features included for the first year, but not the driving directions capability. If you have this, can you tell me if you like it? Does ONSTAR walk you right through the entire drive or just dictate directions that you have to write down?

 

[Disfan1]

We have it, but just the basic package. We signed up after our year was over because we had car trouble on the interstate in the middle of nowhere and if it hadn't been for OnStar, we would have had to spend the night in the car on the side of the road- even if we knew who to call, we had no idea where we were! OnStar called the nearest towing company, told them where we were & the tow truck was there within 30 minutes! What a lifesaver- I will never be without OnStar!

 

[figment95]

My car has Onstar but I only have the basic service and so I can't get driving directions either. My car has a button that is a tape recorder so that you can record your conversation with Onstar and play it back when you need it. Have you looked to see if you have a tape recorder? The dealer didn't tell us about it, we found it by accident.

DH and I thought Onstar was pretty cool but we weren't going to renew it when our year is up. We figured we have cell phones so what do we need it for? Right before Christmas we blew a tire and were stuck in the middle of nowhere. It was very dark and we couldn't see to change the tire ourselves. Our cell phones didn't have any service, but Onstar worked just great. We're keeping it!

 

[nativetxn]

A tape recorder? I wonder if I have one of those. We have Onstar and it has been helpful, I don't have a screen or anything for maps or directions they just "talk" me through it if I need directions.

I love the phone the best

 

[kpgclark]

In the ONSTAR manual that comes with the car it says (page 11) about Roadside Assistance: There will be no charge for Roadside Assistance as long as your vehicle is covered under the terms of the basic limited warranty. Does that mean that even if you don't pay for the service, you can still get the emergency roadside assistance?

 

[nealymouse]

LOVE IT LOVE IT. I will always re-new my ONSTAR. I only have the basics because I dont do alot of traveling.

My sister locked my keys in the van once and we called ONSTAR. We always laught about this because ONSTAR says to me on my cell phone

BACK AWAY FROM THE VAN

I also have talking minunts for when I cant get recption on my cell phone. The kids love it when I call Daddy and they all talk at once

 

[Beanie]

We have ONSTAR too and I absolutely love the phone!! So easy now to call someone while driving!

 

[mudnuri]

In the ONSTAR manual that comes with the car it says (page 11) about Roadside Assistance: There will be no charge for Roadside Assistance as long as your vehicle is covered under the terms of the basic limited warranty. Does that mean that even if you don't pay for the service, you can still get the emergency roadside assistance?

What this means is that the tow truck, or whatever can not/will not charge you as long as your vehicle is still under the 3/36 roadside assitance warranty. This is seperate than the onstar. It comes on ALL GM Vehicles. If your like us with 80,000 miles on a 2 year old truck, well then we've gotta pay for roadside assistance. We can still use onstar to get it, but have to foot the bill.

Brandy

 

[floridafam]

We have OnStar but just the basic package.

We love it. The airbag light went on and stayed on 2 days after we purchased our vehicle and they were able to run a diagnostic on it and tell me what was wrong as I was driving.

I like the calling plan but it can't understand the #2 and my DH's cell phone begins with a 2 so it is almost impossible for me to call him.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have the basic safety package--my check engine light came on and they ran a diagnostic--gas cap wasn't on tight enough . Saved me a trip to the $$$$ dealer. We also used it in DH's truck on the way to Florida when we saw a truck on fire.
Robin M.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We have OnStar and love it. I already used it to open my car doors when I locked the keys inside! When we bought the car last year, OnStar also gave us 45 minutes of free talk time! By the way, our OnStar panel also has the recorder!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We also like having Onstar. We will always renew the basic package. We also have cell phones but the extra secutity of Onstar is well worth the cost.

We also have GPS(Global Positioning System) in our CTS so that combined with OnStar make it impossible to get lost.

 

[kpgclark]

Nick, did you buy the GPS system or did it come with your car? Do you have to pay monthly to be able to use the GPS system?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Nick, did you buy the GPS system or did it come with your car? Do you have to pay monthly to be able to use the GPS system?

It came with our car(Cadillac CTS). It was an option(I think around $400). It is awesome!!.

No there isn't any monthly fee at all. There are 4 CD's for the 4 sections of the USA.(Northeast,South,Midwest,West). It even shows you street names in larger cities.

 

[floridafam]

I guess I wasn't the only one having problems with the personal calling features.

I can't believe that they can't fix this.

http://www.lsj.com/columnists/schneider/040120_john_1b.html


My DH purchased a new truck last night and my 5 yr old DD asked "where's the OnStar button?" His new truck didn't come with it-which is kind of surprising.

nick,

Don't they make those CTS's here in Lansing?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by floridafam
nick,
Don't they make those CTS's here in Lansing?

Yes they do Holly. It is a very nice car and with the GPS it is even better.Our's is silver like the picture below.

 

[kpgclark]

Funny you should post that article about voice recognition. I made my first phone call yesterday. ONSTAR kept thinking "2" was pound. Go figure. I also wish that before it dialed it would repeat the whole phone number back to you.

 

[minnie56]

Just the basic though and the free minutes as my car is only a month old. I had it in my last vehicle as well and I didn't renew after one year but I think I may this time.

I also have the recorder button (played with it once or twice but don't use) and I don't much care for the phone.Too time consuming sometimes having to repeat myself as the 'lady' doesn't get what I am saying? I like my trusty cell better...JMO

 

[robinb]

I don't have it and I won't activate it when we buy our SAAB in a couple of years.

The whole idea that someone will know where my car is at all times is far from comforting! It's downright Orwellian. Not only can someone tell where I am, but they can eavesdrop on my conversation! Just in case you think I'm nuts, take a look at this article:

Court to FBI: No spying on in-car computers

The FBI actually eavesdropped on someone using OnStar and the 9th Circuit Court told them they couldn't do it. By the way, the decision is binding only in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, and other states that fall within the 9th Circuit's jurisdiction.

The other reason I don't like OnStar is the fear-mongering advertisments. "Oh! Please Help Me!" And the calm OnStar employee helps through a heart attack, or an accident or some other tragedy. Of course, all those people would be dead without OnStar! At least that's what the ads lead you to believe.

I guess if you feel safer with your OnStar, then enjoy your little toy. I know that I will have mine disconnected when I buy my car, even though we get 1 year free.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by robinb
I guess if you feel safer with your OnStar, then enjoy your little toy. I know that I will have mine disconnected when I buy my car, even though we get 1 year free.

My wife drives it most of the time and thats why I think it is OnStar "worth it". It is a little added sense of security especially in the Northeast and midwest in the winter time. Besides knowing exactly where you are in case of an accident, it will automatically dispatch an ambulance if you can't respond to them.

I also suppose you have never locked your keys in your vehicle?If you car is stolen they can dis-able it(if it stopped) and locate it.
We also have cell phones............but we all know there are places where you get the No-Service signal.

These are just a few reasons why I think it is worth the $175 a year. If we only use it 1 time because of a seriuos accident in 10 years I will still say it is worth it if it saves someone I care abouts LIFE.

You can't be seriuos about worrying about somebody listening to your conversations in your car.