on star

[machunt]

i purchased a tow vehicle with on star how many have and what is the cost? is it woth it?

[DodgeVoltage]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
If it called me every time the check engine light came on I would be in trouble. The light on my 2004 Chevy pickup has been on for 40000 miles. I've paid to have it fixed twice and both times the light popped back on within 30 miles. I put a piece of tape over the light.

It doesn't call you, you push the button and call them for them to run diagnostics when you get a light.

[arizal]

Duplicate message:h

[CavemanCharlie]

If it called me every time the check engine light came on I would be in trouble. The light on my 2004 Chevy pickup has been on for 40000 miles. I've paid to have it fixed twice and both times the light popped back on within 30 miles. I put a piece of tape over the light.

[Cuffs054]

I use my OnStar to help with accidents I come across. It helps get EMT to the correct spot quicker. Living in rural (and by that I mean RURAL) GA. I've never had a lost signal.

[DodgeVoltage]

All I can say is OnStar doesn't even compare to Ford's Sync if anyone tries to sell you that Ford has the same thing. We lived in Alaska for a number of years and went to some very remote locations and for giggles we would call OnStar just to see if we could contact. It never failed to reach an operator. We had NO cell service where we were on our cell phones. Sync wouldn't hold a candle to OnStar and has no capabilities like OnStar. It's a bluetooth extension of your phones voice control capability and if your phone battery is dead, you forget your phone at home or you are in a no cell service area, your Sync service is GONE. It uses your phones browser to locate things like restaurants and such. I know this wasn't even asked, but someone did mention sync earlier in the discussion. Again, no comparison.

My wife uses our OnStar all the time. They find her hotel rooms as we travel and connect us to the front desk. They give us directions to the nearest "fill in the blank whatever we are looking for". They diagnose a check engine light and let us know if we should keep driving or find a dealer (which they make the appointment and we get priority when we get there). They have unlocked our doors many times and that is huge if your car is still running. They have set up roadside assistance for us when we have had flats. I love the service. It's like a concierge for whatever you need. I have peace of mind when my wife goes alone halfway across the country because I know she always has a way to reach someone if needed.

[arizal]

We have had and used On Star for years. We were vacationing in the mountains around Durango, CO when our Son's wife became very ill about midnight. He carried her to our suburban and took off for the hospital soon there after he got lost on the dark mountain roads. He called On Star they located where they were and had EMTs dispatched to them.
After emergency surgery at the Durango hospital the surgeon told us that if she had arrived 45 minuets later she probably would not have survived. I had a stroke while driving to my grand daughter's house and became disoriented. My wife became concerned when I didn't arrive to pick the DGD up and called On Star who located the car's and my location and again dispatched EMTs to my great benefit. (Quick meds equaled good outcome) Both of our vehicles have On Star and and have current subscriptions. It is expensive but worth it in our opinion. The call range is not as good as it was with the previous analog service, but still has better than my handheld cell phone. (has better antenna). Last but not least if you have an accident with air bag deployment emergency services should be called unless it is violent enough to destroy the battery.
Drive safely,
ArizAl

[AuntSmurf]

Several years ago we were talking about upgrading our pickup. At the time we had a 1/2 T Chevy Silverado with OnStar. I told DH that I wanted OnStar on the next one. Following conversation went like this:

DH: Does it have to be a GM?
Me: It has to have OnStar.
DH: Can it be a Dodge?
Me: Does Dodge have OnStar?
DH: No.
Me: (I just smiled and walked away!)

We bought a 3/4 T GM Diesel :B

[Tarheel_2]

We have OnStar on two vehicles and use it frequently. However, we had an issue last fall in northern Georgia mountains. We needed directions and kept getting interrupted before it could download. Then, we couldn't get service for several miles. Being upset, I finally talked to their tech support and was told that they use a combination of satelite and cell tower service and there was neither available where we were located. However, we continue to use it frequently, but have a concern that we could be in another remote location needing assistance and can't get service.

[spike99]

After free trial, we don't subscribe either.

We drive local and already have roadside service. We also have Cell Phones in our pockets. We also have dash mount GPS unit. We only do local driving and for "long haul" drips, we stay on major routes. Too old to take the back roads - where no help &/or no cell phone service is available.

For us, I don't see the need to make OnStar company financially richer... I'd rather put its estimated monthly charges into RESP account (government gives me 20% on investment) and after 10 years, it pays for 1 full year of university (for one of my kids).

Works for me....

[Lowsuv]

It appears that the posters are about 87.65 % in favor of onstar .
I do not subscribe after the initial free trial .
I have a cell phone .
I am a handy guy as many of us born in the 1940's are .
I have a good tool kit in my truck .
I have not been in a wreck since 1991 .
My 12 year old duramax has never failed me nor have our 2 german hotrods.
Modern cars are more troublefree than the ones built in the 1960's , 1970's , 1980's .
I see no reason to pay for onstar .
That makes it 83.21% for Onstar ....

[abc40kids]

I say it's worth it.... When activated you can ask for directions, they can unlock your door. I was flying out of Dulles once and couldn't remember if my doors were locked. No time to go back so called Onstar and they verified that they were locked. Yes the 911 always works but if you crash on some old back road and it's not activated it's not calling 911 for you. The satellite phone is a nice backup when your phone goes dead or no signal too!!

[camperforlife]

machunt wrote:
couple question anyone download the app to ur smartphone. how does the diagnostic work?

When I was on my free period I used it. Each month you get a report on things like oil life, tire pressure etc. You can lock and unlock the doors remotely and start the vehicle.

[Lynnmor]

Ron3rd wrote:
OnStar is great and very handy if you live in an area with no cell phone reception. We canceled ours after the free trial.

Onstar uses the cellphone system. They stayed with the analog system long after the digital systems were operating because they had a much longer range. Then, all of a sudden they switched to digital and rendered useless all those produced from the beginning thru about 2004.

[machunt]

couple question anyone download the app to ur smartphone. how does the diagnostic work?