OnStar - Your experiences or knowledge (GPS, mileage, buy, engine)

[bjh]

We've all heard or seen the commercials...

Does anyone here have any experiences, good or bad, with OnStar?

Either your own or someone you know?

[bjh]

No one then?

[motormaker]

I have a friend that used it to call 911 when he mom had a heart attack at a mall. Paramedics showed up and she survived.

I haven't had it that long and I have only used the phone features. Seems pretty good.

[Donn2390]

I have it, and it's a great option, if you have use for it. There are two levels of OnStar. One just has many more features and costs more.
For someone who lives in their car, it's a good deal. I put five thousand miles on my car last year, so It doesn't pay for me to have the advanced program. For a salesman or one who puts on many miles, It's great. You need to decide if it's worth the money in your case.
OnStar By GM | OnStar.com, Car Safety Device and Vehicle Security System

[Gerania]

I'm not saying that it's a bad thing, but do you not know where you are when you drive around? I'm just saying that you could have a small GPS and a cell phone and pretty much get the same service without any additional fees. With service they can pop your locks for you and a few other perks. The last time that I locked my keys in the car, a guy offered to help and breached my vehicle in under two minutes. I live in NJ, what do you expect? Learn how to break into your car.

Always know where you are, carry a cell phone, have a car charger for the phone, use a GPS or buy maps. I travel with a first aid kit which includes a silver thermal blanket and rain poncho, compass, water, a snack and even a change of clothes in the trunk. Don't forget your jack, a spare tire, tools, jumper cables and a tow strap.

Sometimes people just can't get to you in a timely fashion and you had better be in charge of the situation.

I've had a little experience. I was stuck, or so I thought, in the NJ Pine Barrens a couple of times and it was getting late and dark; I was alone. That sounds like an OnStar advertisement, but I was able to get out and had I been stuck for the night, I was mostly prepared. I would be warm, dry and been able to start a fire that the Forest Service would eventually notice.

If you're in town, knowing your location and calling 911 should cover it.

[bjh]

ONe of the things they advertise is that it automatically calls emergency service when the OnStar vehicle has a wreck. If the driver was unconscious and alone or only with a small child, having a cell phone wouldn't matter.

That would make it a feature above and beyond a cell. Am not sure where it would also be applicable that would go beyond the basic electronics most people have with them these days. (cell phones anyway, not necessarily gps)

[titaniummd]

A friend of mine was rear ended, and Onstar immediately dialed into his car and asked if he was ok.

[Donn2390]

OnStar has a lot of features that may not be neccessary, but certainly come in handy. Like every month you get an email from Onstar, that gives you complete information on the status of your vehicle. It tells you your current mileage, when your next service iws due, how much air you have in each tire, how many phone minutes you have left, the condition of every system on your vehicle. If you have a problem, it will notify you what the problem is, and where the nearest repair shop is.
That is just one feature, there arer many little "Nice to have" features like that.
It will dial for help in case of an accident as mentioned. Onststar always knows where you are, so just ask for the nearest McDonald's, or the nearest gas station, or hospital, and you will get voice directions from your location to where youy want to go. Lots of features, how much is is worth to you, and how much are you willing to pay.
Ford recently came out with their version of Onstar, and I predict it will soon be as common at the heater in your car...
You might remember a couple of years ago some tourests drove off of a mountain road in an Oregon snow storm and they didn't find the bodies for more than a month. Had they had Onstar, they would have found them in hours, or less. How much is your family worth...?

[DDevil]

I had it for 1 year since it came as a free trial.
I used it twice: once when my Check Engine Light came on and once when all my lights came on.
They did a test remotely and told me what may be wrong.
They also send monthly diagnostics by email and that is one thing I really liked.
I did not find it really useful apart from that so didnt bother paying for it beyond the free trial.

[pont neuf]

Onstar can unlock your car doors, if they can get a signal to you, so don't lock your keys in the car while parked under a building. I've heard you can have your car doors unlocked through cell phones, but I have never tried that. We had Onstar for a while, but cancelled it.