Why do I need OnStar?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 1
From: Cypress TX
Why do I need OnStar?
I've had the car a few weeks now and have yet to even activate the OnStar and honestly see no reason to.
I don't need navigation and I don't need to use it too make calls.
Just curious as to why anyone feels they "need" it and perhaps see if I am missing something here?
I don't need navigation and I don't need to use it too make calls.
Just curious as to why anyone feels they "need" it and perhaps see if I am missing something here?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Why you need OnStar
1) You don't already have a cellphone with handsfree/Bluetooth
2) You don't already have a Navigation system
3) You don't have your car regularly serviced
4) You're a dumbass and don't keep a spare key in your wallet
See how easy that was?
2) You don't already have a Navigation system
3) You don't have your car regularly serviced
4) You're a dumbass and don't keep a spare key in your wallet
See how easy that was?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I don't "need" it, but I activate it on all my GM vehicles.
When I first bught my GM truck, I had it 2 weeks when I was on a back road traveling up to NC. I came up on a motorcycle and a driver laying in the middle of the road. I hadn't passed a car in over an hour. I pulled off the side of the road and pushed the OnStar button, and within 5 minutes they had an ambulance on the way, with my exact location already programmed in to the ambulance driver. If I would have had to describe where I was, I would probably been F'ed.
The ambulance driver told me 10 minutes later and the motorcyclist would have been gone.
Maybe not a big deal to some people, but to me..I saved a life using it, and for a couple hundred bucks a year, it makes me feel good to have it.
When I first bught my GM truck, I had it 2 weeks when I was on a back road traveling up to NC. I came up on a motorcycle and a driver laying in the middle of the road. I hadn't passed a car in over an hour. I pulled off the side of the road and pushed the OnStar button, and within 5 minutes they had an ambulance on the way, with my exact location already programmed in to the ambulance driver. If I would have had to describe where I was, I would probably been F'ed.
The ambulance driver told me 10 minutes later and the motorcyclist would have been gone.
Maybe not a big deal to some people, but to me..I saved a life using it, and for a couple hundred bucks a year, it makes me feel good to have it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
I don't "need" it, but I activate it on all my GM vehicles.
When I first bught my GM truck, I had it 2 weeks when I was on a back road traveling up to NC. I came up on a motorcycle and a driver laying in the middle of the road. I hadn't passed a car in over an hour. I pulled off the side of the road and pushed the OnStar button, and within 5 minutes they had an ambulance on the way, with my exact location already programmed in to the ambulance driver. If I would have had to describe where I was, I would probably been F'ed.
The ambulance driver told me 10 minutes later and the motorcyclist would have been gone.
Maybe not a big deal to some people, but to me..I saved a life using it, and for a couple hundred bucks a year, it makes me feel good to have it.
When I first bught my GM truck, I had it 2 weeks when I was on a back road traveling up to NC. I came up on a motorcycle and a driver laying in the middle of the road. I hadn't passed a car in over an hour. I pulled off the side of the road and pushed the OnStar button, and within 5 minutes they had an ambulance on the way, with my exact location already programmed in to the ambulance driver. If I would have had to describe where I was, I would probably been F'ed.
The ambulance driver told me 10 minutes later and the motorcyclist would have been gone.
Maybe not a big deal to some people, but to me..I saved a life using it, and for a couple hundred bucks a year, it makes me feel good to have it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
1. If you have an accident and the airbags deploy, it will immediately ask you if you need help. If you don't respond, it will summon help for you and it knows where you are.
2. It may be used to unlock your doors.
3. You may use it to summon emergency help for someone else. I used it for this last fall when I witnessed an auto accident on the interstate.
4. It has a stronger signal on its telephone than what your cell phone has.
2. It may be used to unlock your doors.
3. You may use it to summon emergency help for someone else. I used it for this last fall when I witnessed an auto accident on the interstate.
4. It has a stronger signal on its telephone than what your cell phone has.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg Florida
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
That's right as long as you're in an area where your cell phone works. I was involved in an accident earlier this year. I was on the on ramp to a long bridge. Guess what!!!! My Cell phones 2 on 2 different carriers didn't work (both smart phones). Apparently one of those " KNOWN DEAD SPOTS ". Pushed the blue button and immediately connected. Would not own a GM vehicle without it!!
Last edited by 92PoloVette; Jul 13, 2011 at 11:45 AM.
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CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't know that you need OnStar but I'd activate it at least through the initial, 'free' use period (making sure the account is not setup to automatically renew). Essentially, you paid for the trial use period why not check it out?
When I retired my car from the street I canceled my basic OnStar service. Prior to that I valued the built-in, hands-free, more powerful OnStar phone. I've been in remote locations where conventional cell phones (with various carriers) could not connect but the OnStar phone could. With a manual shift the hands-free phone was there and extremely easy to use.
Although, I'd hope never to avail myself of the service, the OnStar emergency notification service might just save your life. The remote unlock service could come in handy.
Year's ago a friend's Suburban was stolen. OnStar provided the location to the police who were able to retrieve the car and catch the thief. I thought that was pretty cool.
I don't need navigation and I don't need OnStar to make dinner reservations for me. The last time I renewed OnStar I was able to do so at a discounted price. I don't think you "need" OnStar but for the pennies a day it cost I felt the basic OnStar service was worthwhile.
When I retired my car from the street I canceled my basic OnStar service. Prior to that I valued the built-in, hands-free, more powerful OnStar phone. I've been in remote locations where conventional cell phones (with various carriers) could not connect but the OnStar phone could. With a manual shift the hands-free phone was there and extremely easy to use.
Although, I'd hope never to avail myself of the service, the OnStar emergency notification service might just save your life. The remote unlock service could come in handy.
Year's ago a friend's Suburban was stolen. OnStar provided the location to the police who were able to retrieve the car and catch the thief. I thought that was pretty cool.
I don't need navigation and I don't need OnStar to make dinner reservations for me. The last time I renewed OnStar I was able to do so at a discounted price. I don't think you "need" OnStar but for the pennies a day it cost I felt the basic OnStar service was worthwhile.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 91
From: California
That's right as long as you're in an area where your cell phone works. I was involved in an accident earlier this year. I was on the on ramp to a long bridge. Guess what!!!! My Cell phones 2 on 2 different carriers didn't work (both smart phones). Apparently one of those " KNOWN DEAD SPOTS ". Pushed the blue button and immediately connected. Would not own a GM vehicle without it!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
I see it as a very good feature to have, mostly for emergencies/help...
BUT...
honestly there is no way I'd pay for it, I can dial 911 when I need it, and I have a navi, so paying $100 a year just makes no sense to me. I don't even understand why GM would think this is a sell-able idea, does anyone know if people are subscribing to it?
if free - best safety idea since the air bag
if not free - rather not have it in my car
BUT...
honestly there is no way I'd pay for it, I can dial 911 when I need it, and I have a navi, so paying $100 a year just makes no sense to me. I don't even understand why GM would think this is a sell-able idea, does anyone know if people are subscribing to it?
if free - best safety idea since the air bag
if not free - rather not have it in my car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
You need it so you can press the blue button and tell GM the roof is creaking...
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
1. If you have an accident and the airbags deploy, it will immediately ask you if you need help. If you don't respond, it will summon help for you and it knows where you are.
This is the main reason I truly believe it is worth it, my car & the wife's car.
2. It may be used to unlock your doors.
Only used once but I was 320 miles from home.
3. You may use it to summon emergency help for someone else. I used it for this last fall when I witnessed an auto accident on the interstate.
I can see where this feature could save a life & I'm sure it already has.
4. It has a stronger signal on its telephone than what your cell phone has.
This is the main reason I truly believe it is worth it, my car & the wife's car.
2. It may be used to unlock your doors.
Only used once but I was 320 miles from home.
3. You may use it to summon emergency help for someone else. I used it for this last fall when I witnessed an auto accident on the interstate.
I can see where this feature could save a life & I'm sure it already has.
4. It has a stronger signal on its telephone than what your cell phone has.
CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 21
From: Palm City Florida
If you think that there is a remote chance that you could ever get in an accident with another car, hit an object in the rode, lose control and go off into a tree, ditch or water. I can go on and on. You can get Onstar for $149.00 a year.
You won't ever need it until you need it. My wife swears by it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
I got a year of OnStar with my GS. I never once had a reason to press any of the buttons... One day when I was installing the mirror mount for a Escort radar detector I accidentally pressed one of the buttons. In a few seconds a lady from OnStar came on asking if I needed assistance -- I told her I had accidentally pressed the button and that I was sorry. She just hung up with no response to what I had said -- which I thought was rather rude. After all I DID apologize. That's the only experience I had with them. So when my year was up I just let it go. I've never had a car with OnStar before and have made it almost 50 years without incident. I'll just continue taking my chances. I have a cellphone, am rarely anywhere there isn't cellphone coverage and have a $100 Garmin that works well. I'm *tired* of every little aspect of my life where folks have figured out how to try and get money from me each week/month/year... 
Use your own judgement, that's what I did.
Use your own judgement, that's what I did.