What do you use Onstar for?

KenH. · 09-07-2016, 04:37 PM

I've had onstar in a lot of vehicles but I've only ever talked to the reps when I needed a remote unlock (before the app came out), and one time in the winter my tahoe got a flat on the highway. It was cold and snowing and they said someone would be there within two hours and i said nevermind and changed the tire myself.

For those taking advantage of the $30 a month subscription (or other paid for subs) what kinds of things do you ask them for? How do you make it worth the monthly expense?

GTIanZ28 · 09-07-2016, 05:15 PM

I've never once used it - actually forgot that I had the feature. After the free period I won't renew the subscription.

Obzen · 09-07-2016, 05:27 PM

When I had my free period years ago I used it for directions. It was kinda fun to just tell the operator where I wanted to go and let them do the work while I was driving.

That said, I already pay enough every month for my phone to do that. I'd never pay OnStar also. I'd prefer they didn't even put that in the car unless it was an emergency/crash alert only system like the mustang gets.

SCullen · 09-07-2016, 07:55 PM

It's peace of mind, knowing that my wife can push a button and talk to a human and get directions if the NAV leads her in the wrong direction.

JaxChris · 09-07-2016, 08:06 PM

I use OnStar for nothing.

And from a security and privacy perspective, I'm looking at disabling it like I did in my 5th gen. Don't care about their health reports and I don't like that GM is compiling driver data and selling it to insurance companies by VIN number. When you do the safe driver crap with Progressive, GM just releases your name/address, they already had your VIN and driving data.

Since the car honks if you leave the keys in it, I don't think I need lockout protection from OnStar. If I lost my keys, then OnStar is still no help because you can't drive it without a fob in range to start it. If OnStar is able to send a remote start that doesn't require a fob, then that is another reason to disable it in my book. Most OnStar remote commands are sent by cellular for parking garage penetration. Someone could spoof those commands to your car if they found the cellular number attached to your OnStar module.

LibertyHill · 09-07-2016, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaxChris

And from a security and privacy perspective, I'm looking at disabling it like I did in my 5th gen. Don't care about their health reports and I don't like that GM is compiling driver data and selling it to insurance companies by VIN number. When you do the safe driver crap with Progressive, GM just releases your name/address, they already had your VIN and driving data.

I'd sure like to believe this isn't true, but cannot. It must be disabled. What was involved in disabling it in the fifth gen??

Number 3 · 09-07-2016, 08:24 PM

1st, features on my phone allow me to access my car. Key phob? I can lock my car if I worry that the auto lock may not have worked............which it does.

2nd, I download directions directly from my phone to my car. Don't need to cycle through too many complex screens on the NAV.

3rd, as mentioned, safety and security. Hope to never use it............just like my life insurance or health insurance. But yes, I pay for something I hope to never use.

Status updates, recalls, etc., just staying connected.

I did eliminate our concerierge (sic) service as they jacked the price and also made you buy cell minutes which I didn't want.

But the basic service works just fine for me.

09-07-2016, 04:37 PM	#1
KenH. Drives: 2016 2SS M6 NPP MRC Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Graham, NC Posts: 190	What do you use Onstar for? I've had onstar in a lot of vehicles but I've only ever talked to the reps when I needed a remote unlock (before the app came out), and one time in the winter my tahoe got a flat on the highway. It was cold and snowing and they said someone would be there within two hours and i said nevermind and changed the tire myself. For those taking advantage of the $30 a month subscription (or other paid for subs) what kinds of things do you ask them for? How do you make it worth the monthly expense?

09-07-2016, 05:15 PM	#2
GTIanZ28 Drives: 2016 V6 RS Camaro 6MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,102	I've never once used it - actually forgot that I had the feature. After the free period I won't renew the subscription. __________________ Summit White 2LT RS V6 ZN2 NPP m6 khalihari interior. Order placed 9/26/15 - Picked up 12/17/15!

09-07-2016, 07:55 PM	#4
SCullen Converts Oxygen to CO2 Drives: 2016 Black SS Convertable Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Keller, Texas Posts: 170	It's peace of mind, knowing that my wife can push a button and talk to a human and get directions if the NAV leads her in the wrong direction. __________________ 2016 Black 2SS Vert A8 MRC NPP

09-07-2016, 08:24 PM	#7
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,301 View My Garage	1st, features on my phone allow me to access my car. Key phob? I can lock my car if I worry that the auto lock may not have worked............which it does. 2nd, I download directions directly from my phone to my car. Don't need to cycle through too many complex screens on the NAV. 3rd, as mentioned, safety and security. Hope to never use it............just like my life insurance or health insurance. But yes, I pay for something I hope to never use. Status updates, recalls, etc., just staying connected. I did eliminate our concerierge (sic) service as they jacked the price and also made you buy cell minutes which I didn't want. But the basic service works just fine for me. __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

09-07-2016, 05:27 PM	#3
Obzen Pull up Cougar! Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,875	When I had my free period years ago I used it for directions. It was kinda fun to just tell the operator where I wanted to go and let them do the work while I was driving. That said, I already pay enough every month for my phone to do that. I'd never pay OnStar also. I'd prefer they didn't even put that in the car unless it was an emergency/crash alert only system like the mustang gets.

09-07-2016, 08:06 PM	#5
JaxChris Drives: '16 2SS GD1 MX0 NPP F55 IO6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 1,298	I use OnStar for nothing. And from a security and privacy perspective, I'm looking at disabling it like I did in my 5th gen. Don't care about their health reports and I don't like that GM is compiling driver data and selling it to insurance companies by VIN number. When you do the safe driver crap with Progressive, GM just releases your name/address, they already had your VIN and driving data. Since the car honks if you leave the keys in it, I don't think I need lockout protection from OnStar. If I lost my keys, then OnStar is still no help because you can't drive it without a fob in range to start it. If OnStar is able to send a remote start that doesn't require a fob, then that is another reason to disable it in my book. Most OnStar remote commands are sent by cellular for parking garage penetration. Someone could spoof those commands to your car if they found the cellular number attached to your OnStar module.

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