OnStar Offer
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Did everyone forget Bluetooth? Works real good, even voice recognition and you can send voice text messages. I used the OnStar telephone service with my C6, the telephone quality seemed acceptable, voice recognition was not so good. The last few years I just used my cell phone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Did everyone forget Bluetooth? Works real good, even voice recognition and you can send voice text messages. I used the OnStar telephone service with my C6, the telephone quality seemed acceptable, voice recognition was not so good. The last few years I just used my cell phone.
Personally, the option came in handy when I forgot my cell phone at home and was 40 miles away. Was able to ping a couple people, including my pregnant wife so they knew how to reach me.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 125
From: Houston TX
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Looks like $10 is relatively cheap insurance for 300 minutes, just in case I forget my phone.
What's the cost for OnStar service after the initial free year?
Thanks,
Looks like $10 is relatively cheap insurance for 300 minutes, just in case I forget my phone.
What's the cost for OnStar service after the initial free year?
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I called them to setup service but told them I wanted to be billed and pay by check. I also asked them if I could suspend service during the winter when my car was off the road. The rep told me that they could do that in even-months (service started on the 9th, so they would suspend on the 9th and resume on the 9th of the month I go live again). They would add the suspension months back in at the back end of the subscribed period. I have not tested those waters yet, car still in use. 
Right around the time I was making these arrangements I received an offer of a better price in the mail. ($14.95 - Safe & Sound) Apparently I had dragged my feet too long. I called and received a credit for the difference. -- That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
Actually all of the above were things I learned about from other posts and threads here on the forum.
Right around the time I was making these arrangements I received an offer of a better price in the mail. ($14.95 - Safe & Sound) Apparently I had dragged my feet too long. I called and received a credit for the difference. -- That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
Actually all of the above were things I learned about from other posts and threads here on the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 100
From: And then it was said... "let there be blue Corvettes and yellow Camaros" Ft Worth Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Because if we are out on the Texas back roads in the hill country there are many places where our AT&T cell service is non existent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Then add the cost of minutes of top of that.
I'd guess there are probably state/local fees and taxes on top of that.
The last 2 weeks before my subscription expired, they called me (at least) 2x per day at home, and at least 2x in the car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 125
From: Houston TX
Just checked my OnStar account, & found out that the initial free period is only 6 months, not 1 yr as I previously thought.
Guess that one "free" yr was for XM radio (not really free since it's priced/built into price of car or 2LT upgrade)
Guess that one "free" yr was for XM radio (not really free since it's priced/built into price of car or 2LT upgrade)
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 402
Likes: 47
From: Los Angeles California
OnStar uses cellular towers, not satellite to make and receive calls. When I had Verizon cell service (now have AT&T as that is what works in my home area) my phone would drop calls on streets around my home. When I was on my OnStar car phone (2014 model year) which has Verizon cell service, the calls drop in the exact same spots as my cell phone did when I had a Verizon cell phone. AT&T works flawlessly around my home area, so no need to use the OnStar phone as it will drop the call when I get close to home. If OnStar was using satellites to connect my call, it wouldn't drop off in the area where I live.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 72
From: NC
The way it was explained to me was, normal cell phone communications requires you be within ranges of a cell tower, which may not always be the case. The OnStar phone calls utilize satellite communications, which you should have all the time, unless the satellite signal is being blocked by a bridge, or when in a garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
The way it was explained to me was, normal cell phone communications requires you be within ranges of a cell tower, which may not always be the case. The OnStar phone calls utilize satellite communications, which you should have all the time, unless the satellite signal is being blocked by a bridge, or when in a garage.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
While it is true that structures such as garages can interfere with both satellite and cellular connectivity, you're far from helpless! Because OnStar uses the vehicle's antenna, the signal is much stronger than that of a regular cell phone, and it will receive a cellular signal in many places that a cell phone will not. Also, if you were in need of assistance, even if your OnStar system is inactive / unable to connect due to a dead battery or loss of connectivity, you can always reach us by calling 1-888-4ONSTAR (888-466-7827) from any phone, and we'll be happy to arrange for roadside assistance to come to your location. I hope this helps!
~Sara, OnStar Advisor
Social Media Team
Pro
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 144
From: Chandler AZ
Why do people need to talk on their phone while they are driving? It is such a distraction, regardless of whether or not it's hands free.Back on topic...if you DO talk on your phone while driving, it would be worth it to buy OnStar minutes as a backup in case you forgot your cell phone, have poor reception, etc. Just beware, minutes do expire!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 100
From: And then it was said... "let there be blue Corvettes and yellow Camaros" Ft Worth Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
In case you haven't read, the topic of this thread was:
"Buy 60 Hands-Free Calling minutes for only $4.99, or get 300 minutes for $9.99..."
Nobody was talking about the regular rates Onstar charges for minutes. It also does work where your cell phone does not as I had it happen to me many a time where I was in a dead cell area but Onstar worked every time with no drops. Onstar's cell phone uses a 3 watt transmitter where I think a hand held cell phone pushes 1-1.5 watts, could be the difference right there.
"Buy 60 Hands-Free Calling minutes for only $4.99, or get 300 minutes for $9.99..."
Nobody was talking about the regular rates Onstar charges for minutes. It also does work where your cell phone does not as I had it happen to me many a time where I was in a dead cell area but Onstar worked every time with no drops. Onstar's cell phone uses a 3 watt transmitter where I think a hand held cell phone pushes 1-1.5 watts, could be the difference right there.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I have 300 mins for the next year, doubt I will use them all.