When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Indeed.
The only wireless ability i need is the remote fob. Is there any indication the fob would stop working if these fender antennas were disabled?
No indication of that. The remote key entry uses four "low frequency antennas". The description in the manual says "three" but it also shows replacement procedures for four antennas. The actual procedures are more reliable than the descriptive material - because the replacement procedures show the actual C8 components. The locations are front bumper, rear bumper, left side, and right side. And they are different from the High Frequency Antennas that provide GPS, 4G, and XM signals.
Of course, you never know what the software might do if/when it detects that the high frequency antennas are disabled. Everything is well integrated and not well explained, so its possible that if one system detects an issue, the car can decide to shut down other systems.
No indication of that. The remote key entry uses four "low frequency antennas". The description in the manual says "three" but it also shows replacement procedures for four antennas. The actual procedures are more reliable than the descriptive material - because the replacement procedures show the actual C8 components. The locations are front bumper, rear bumper, left side, and right side. And they are different from the High Frequency Antennas that provide GPS, 4G, and XM signals.
Of course, you never know what the software might do if/when it detects that the high frequency antennas are disabled. Everything is well integrated and not well explained, so its possible that if one system detects an issue, the car can decide to shut down other systems.
I would focus on preventing them from transmission or receiving, as opposed to disconnecting.
When I have the time, I plan to (in this specific order)
- Wrap with saran wrap
- Wrap with several layers of aluminum foil
- Wrap with aluminum ducting tape
That would hopefully be enough metal around the antenna that it prevents it from functioning properly. As far as the computer system know, you are driving through a tunnel in the mountains (or similar). I have the first-world problem of owning 3 GM vehicles though and too many other projects to address this non-urgent project.
I would focus on preventing them from transmission or receiving, as opposed to disconnecting.
When I have the time, I plan to (in this specific order)
- Wrap with saran wrap
- Wrap with several layers of aluminum foil
- Wrap with aluminum ducting tape
That would hopefully be enough metal around the antenna that it prevents it from functioning properly. As far as the computer system know, you are driving through a tunnel in the mountains (or similar). I have the first-world problem of owning 3 GM vehicles though and too many other projects to address this non-urgent project.
There is still that pesky WiFi connection. My local Wifi in the garage is password protected, as are my neighbors networks. I put the password in so my car will connect to the WiFi. The car can transmit and receive the same data via that path as it does via the 4G connection that the high frequency antennas support. But that connection does not use those antennas. So it would still be active. As I mentioned, I do not know if the car will connect to other networks of opportunity if without permission if they are not password protected. There is a statement in the Owner's Manual about not connecting to an unknown or untrusted network, so perhaps it will only connect with your permission. I can't find a "replacement procedure" for the WiFi antenna - it may be integrated with the radio module - not sure.
There is still that pesky WiFi connection. My local Wifi in the garage is password protected, as are my neighbors networks. I put the password in so my car will connect to the WiFi. The car can transmit and receive the same data via that path as it does via the 4G connection that the high frequency antennas support. But that connection does not use those antennas. So it would still be active. As I mentioned, I do not know if the car will connect to other networks of opportunity if without permission if they are not password protected. There is a statement in the Owner's Manual about not connecting to an unknown or untrusted network, so perhaps it will only connect with your permission. I can't find a "replacement procedure" for the WiFi antenna - it may be integrated with the radio module - not sure.
Good point. I do not connect my vehicles to wifi. Since you mentioned that, you would lose OTA updates, but I have ignored so many that it no longer prompts for them. I have the updates done at the dealer (so if it somehow messes up, they have it already to fix, I know it is low probability but I tend to be "that guy" and read too many posts about OTA going wrong and I did have a bad battery after one OTA, it was eventually replaced under warranty after fighting with GM for 6 weeks).
Where did we all agree that it was ok to collect, send, and sell this data to GM, to LexisNexis, to whomever?
Where did we all agree to opt in, with no options to disable this on the car, and the car still function?
This has all the makings of a class action law suit waiting to be filed on behalf of C8 owners (and other GM cars/trucks)
At least there are 5 states where OPT OUT is more easy than the other 45..... If I invoke the opt out, and tell then to delete my data, what happens in 6 months?
EDIT: I have to wonder if this has ANY bearing on why my auto rates have DOUBLED in the last year.....
Readily resolved by setting up the WiFi router's firewall to block whatever IP the car's system uses to connect to OnStar (assuming it does in the first place).
It's currently not possible to have it removed unless
1. You're in law enforcement
2. You've had your identity stolen
3. You're in danger from another
2 and 3 require you to submit a police report.
In the other thread, people have said they aren't just turning off OnStar, they never had an active subscription to start. They've had success in getting Chevy to completely disable it so it's not reporting to Chevy either, supposedly. No way to really know for sure without sniffing the traffic leaving the car which is likely encrypted.
5 STATES seems to have passed their own privacy laws
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions companies (LexisNexis) will use your personal information in compliance with our Privacy Notice, which is available at: https://risk.lexisnexis.com/stateprivacy-act-notice Important Message Regarding Your Professional Healthcare Information As a California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah or Virginia resident, in some circumstances you may be able to request to opt-out of your personal information being sold to third parties, which may include some professional healthcare information.
However, please be advised that opting out of the sale of your professional healthcare information may result in the following:
Incorrect or incomplete information in health plan directories for patients and members when searching for you and your practice.
Delayed prescription fills and/or denial of prescriptions for your patients at point of dispensing; and/or
Decreased ability for you and your practice to be identified for referrals
Readily resolved by setting up the WiFi router's firewall to block whatever IP the car's system uses to connect to OnStar (assuming it does in the first place).
You could. But as I mentioned, the car won't connect to a password protected network anyway unless you give it the password. I did that for mine because I don't worry about any of this stuff. I was just speculating that it might connect to a target of opportunity - an unprotected WiFi. But I think, based on the statement in the Owners' Manual, the it will not do that - because it specifically cautions about connecting it to an unknown or network for security reason. So, it would not make sense to have it automatically connect without permission. The Network menu in the car is where you can see networks and ask to join them.
You can sell my information but do not sell my information.... WTF?!?
#2 is for cases when you want to allow them to sell professional but not personal information. The opt-in button is for if you opted out and changed your mind and want to opt-in again. I did a full opt-out but am concerned about any detrimental effects like they mentioned.
#2 is for cases when you want to allow them to sell professional but not personal information. The opt-in button is for if you opted out and changed your mind and want to opt-in again. I did a full opt-out but am concerned about any detrimental effects like they mentioned.
When did you OPT out? Have you seen any impact of doing so?
When did you OPT out? Have you seen any impact of doing so?
Did you tell them to delete your data too?
I got a copy of my LN report a while ago. While there was a lot of stuff on there the threshold is so low that I imagine everyone has a lot of hard braking, acceleration, etc. I didn't bother opting out until recently and also checked the box to delete my data and haven't heard back but it doesn't surprise me since they correspond through snail mail and it took a while to get my initial report.
Does it ever show like "was doing 180+ in a 45" (yet the car was on a closed runway doing some testing)???
There a good bit in the Owner's Manual about what it collects, stores and transmits. It does appear that location is recorded and transmitted. I do not know if that show up on those reports to insurance companies. This is just a short clip. There is a lot more in the manual.
Does it ever show like "was doing 180+ in a 45" (yet the car was on a closed runway doing some testing)???
From the insurance perspective they would just claim if you were doing that on a track you have the potential to on the public road. They used that same stance when I was explaining that my son will never use my camaro. " Well from the Insurance's viewpoint he could". I explained well if that's a possibility my neighbor could break In and use it or a friend of mine visiting yet I'm not paying for that. They probably added that to my premiums the next cycle because they never thought of it. That being the case I have State Farm and unless it's changed they don't use LexusNexis. They have their own rating program which for the c8 or my camaro definitely seems to help in this case.
Does it ever show like "was doing 180+ in a 45" (yet the car was on a closed runway doing some testing)???
It's whatever Chevy decides it is, we have no say or visibility. I shared what the records from LN look like. I have almost 300, the format is identical. Maybe LN has more data such as specific speed and location but currently they are not exposing it if they do. Also this data is tied to your ssn even though there's no proof who was driving. As far as insurance, I signed a waiver for my teen son and daughter so they are not insured on the C8 nor am I billed for them. My insurance already went from 1500 to 5000+ a year adding two teens .
From the insurance perspective they would just claim if you were doing that on a track you have the potential to on the public road. They used that same l stance when I was explaining my son will never use my camaro. " Well from the Insurance's viewpoint he could". I explained well if that's a possibility my neighbor could break In and use it or a friend of mine visiting yet I'm not paying for that. They probably added that to my premiums the next cycle because they never thought of it. That being the case I have State Farm and unless it's changed they don't use LexusNexis. They have their own rating program which for the c8 or my camaro definitely seems to help in this case.
Erie told me the same when they asked me about my Mother-in-law, who lives with us.... she still has a drivers license but is physically incapable of driving due to her health. They said it did not matter since she had a license. I argued that it was impossible for her to drive, they did not care because she had a license.
Readily resolved by setting up the WiFi router's firewall to block whatever IP the car's system uses to connect to OnStar (assuming it does in the first place).
An easier method is tell your router to block the car's MAC address.
As Andy points out in a later post that's no guarantee the car won't try to connect to an unprotected Wi-Fi network as a failover.
.
