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Onstar!  Do You Use It?

Do you use your Onstar

  • Why do I even have it?

    Votes: 94 97.9%

  • Never

    Votes: 1 1.0%

  • Rarely

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Occasionally

    Votes: 1 1.0%

  • Frequently

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Every Week

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Every Day

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    96
I like the safe and sound package. I have used it to locate my AV at the airport after a long trip. Outside parking, heavy rain and a long walk to the AV. Not sure exactly where it is, so a quick call from under the bus stop and they flash the lights and sound the horn for me. Really easy to find at that point in the dark. I have also used it for flat tire and out of gas assistance.

I really like the personal calling. Sure it is more expensive, but I get to expense it anyway. With many states banning cell phones in cars, this keeps you talking legally.
 
I used mine once to unlock my doors.

I walked out of the house into the rain with my family and without my keys. Luckily I had my cell phone. I called OnStar, they opened my Av and we sat there until my mother got there with another set of keys.

I still have another 6 months before I have to renew, I'm not positive that I will renew but I think I will.

Mark
 
I've had my AV since Late August, and I have yet to take advantage of the free year!!!! I may just lock my keys in the car just so I can use it before the one year expires. I have a cell phone, so I really have no need for it. I will most likely not renew.
 
On-star was something that I would not order. However, since it was included on my Av, I find that I use it pretty often. The phone minutes are expensive, I'll admit, but this feature is pretty darn convienent. No searching for a hand held phone, or using one of those hokey cell phone mounting brackets. Also, as I witnessed an accident, quiet a distance away from any town, it was a blessing to be able to get assistance so quickly.

Having said this, the On-Star is something that I will continue to subscribe to.
 
spf973 said:
Ben Franklin is revolving like a turbine at the concept of OnSpy.

I do enjoy going far away so I got the 2500, with more of everything especially fuel...and I do want to keep going AFTER the Feds ?try to shut down a mass exodus due to a dirty nuke, smallpox or even suitcase nuke. ?Being ?able to immobilize thousands of cars will go a long way to sealing the victims in their cities. ?Have non-computer vehicles as well in case the EMF devices the CHP ?are testing become widespread
JM
Click to expand...

Be careful of those black helicopters.

:)

 
I used my Onstar as a matter of fact this week. I was heading to Snowshow Ski Mtn. and if any of you have been there is in the middle of no where. Well I became lost, then lost again and then lost again. Onstar saved my sanity. I also used the personal calling while I was there. My cell phone would not work but Onstar did.
 
When I first got my AV I used it regularly. After I upgraded to a better stereo I lost its functionality. Since then I forget i have it. I really dont care about it, though since I have it might as well use it.

I hate though when im getting directions and they are overly polite. I'd rather have a more direct and professional person to talk to. However, they could have gotten better.

I'll install the onstar adapter and see what ive missed out on this last year.

-Rob
 
my wife locked her keys in her burban and called onstar...5 minutes later ....it was unlocked....very impressive unit..i dont have it on av..didnt need it, have cell :) :) :)
 
I let my service expire after the first year....never used it once for anything meaningful....doesn't mean that it is not a worthwhile tool to have.....now especially that I'm putting in the aftermarket HU..it is unlikey I will renew...

Dave.. :B:
 
I am an industrial strength use of OnStar. I don't have the personal calling feature because my Cell Phone plan is much better. However I use the driving directions on a regular basis as well as the services locator. I even use it to verify that my speedometer is correct. Sometimes, driving along in the middle of the night, I'll call them just to talk to someone to keep awake.
 
I drive into New York City often where the hand held cell phone use is unlawful :p So hands free On Star is great! I also enjoy when you can program a person or establishment's name and just say dial & mention the name and it dials directly. That is a great feature ;D
 
I just got my renewal paperwork in the mail as my subscription is about to expire. Can't decide if I will renew. Have never used it but like the idea of it being there if need be. In fact, I have heard that you can let your subscription expire yet still use it if the situation arises. In this case, they will bill you a per incidence charge. Anyone verify this? If this is true, I will let it expire and only pay for it when necessary. I wish they had an emergency only plan (key unlocking, call EMT, etc) for about $5 - $7 a month. I WOULD pay for that, but not $16.95/month!

Jamie
 
Jamie, I had occassion to use my OnStar the other day. I was informed that my subscription was going to expire soon and asked if I would like to renew. I told the lady I would have to think about it. At that point I was offered two extra months free and 100 minutes of phone time that would last a year. If you decide to re-up I would do it in the Av with one of there operators and let them bribe you!
 
I have the directions service and found it helpful until they opened the Canadian call service centre. It seems folks in Toronto don't know where Edmonton is. After 6 times asking for directions to the Edmonton International Airport they still do not seem to have it on their database.
 
I use it, like it and will keep it. I have seen many posts that it does not work with voicemail. Well, you can trick it. I recorded the dial-tones to get into my voicemail, and I just play them back into the microphone using a tiny micro-cassete player. I got the player for $8 on EBay. It is the kind used for dictation. Works for me. I also forward my email to my onstar account (sometimes) and I like to get it when I am driving all day.
 
One advantage I see with the Onstar is the GPS tracking. Here in NJ, if you dial 911 on a cell phone, you get transfered to th NJSP. You may not know where you really are. As of now, 911 can not track your cell phone location like land based 911. The 911 call goes to a dispatcher that may be no where near you and if you can't give your exact location it becomes a search. If you have a problem on some road in an area you are not familiar with you are boned. Onstar can tell them right where you are. I know a lot of dispatchers and they tell me all the time that cell phones are great but they cause location problems on a regular bases. Just something to think about.
 
There was just a story in this area recently about a boatload of kids whoes boat was going down. One used a cell phone to call for help and the dispatcher couldn't trace them and then dropped the ball. No dispatch went out. The search didn't start for the kids for 14 hours till the parents reported them missing. I know boats don't have Onstar but it gives a good example of the problems with just cell phones in emergencies. It's insurance to me.
 
Steelheadchaser said:
Jamie, I had occassion to use my OnStar the other day. I was informed that my subscription was going to expire soon and asked if I would like to renew. I told the lady I would have to think about it. At that point I was offered two extra months free and 100 minutes of phone time that would last a year. If you decide to re-up I would do it in the Av with one of there operators and let them bribe you!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. Something to do at lunch today...

Jamie
 
With the addition of the Personal Calling and Virtual Advisor, IMO OnStar is now much more useful than when it was first introducted and I will keep it. Looking at the $16.95/month price, it seems like a bargain compared to the price of some of the mods done :)
 
I use the personal calling on occasion. Came in handy when I forgot my cell phone at home. It was also nice using the operator to help me find my way to New York when I happened to make a couple of wrong turns. (You know how we hate stopping and asking for directions) I think I may keep it when the time comes up to subscribe again.
 
I had onstar for the first year I had my truck and never used it. If you want some that well protect your think about LoJack. I have heard good things about it. But, I have not heard anything lately so I don't know if they are still in business.

Adam
 
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