OnStar Option

RPO code: UE1

For a Option fee includes first year. Additional years are a yearly charge extra.

The OnStar is additional option on C-6 for safety, security and convenience with models that have 1SB equitment group....

Features:

Stolen vehicle tracking*
Remote door unlock*
Remote horn and lights*
Emergency services*
Accident Assist
On line concierge
Automatic notification of air bag deployment
Remote diagnostics
Roadside assistance

*Sounds like Big Brother..

Additional infromation on link:

http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/whatisonstar/idont_whatisonstar.jsp



|UPDATED|4/13/2004 7:08:02 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

*sounds like big brother?

How do you mean? Do you think its bad that those features are offered? (not questioning you, am naive and curious)

Scot

Nope, do not think OnStar is a bad feature (Actually great for the right person). Just that technology is great, but with this technology you could be trackable and someone other than you could use these features.

Ernie

|UPDATED|4/14/2004 7:01:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I heard something interesting from a local dealer the other day. Gentlemen had purchased an "04 Dually. Had it for several months. Was driving someplace out westat about 100mph for a while. Onstar comes on DEMANDING ID and proof he owned the vehicle with his PIN. They said that vehicles usually driven at those speeds were stolen and were going to shut down the vehicle and call the cops.

uh oh...at 100 mph? they better raise that for the C6

Big Question is, Did the car call Them or did They monitor the Car from time to time ?????????????????

Was reading this information today:
Source: GMC The Magazine

"OnStar's safety and security service is avaliabe on more than 50 GM vehicles. In one month, OnStar responds to apporoximately:

800 automatic air bag deployments
800 stolen vehicle reports
17,000 GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostic requests
250,000 routing calls
15,000 roadside assistance calls
7,000 emergency calls"




|UPDATED|4/15/2004 6:57:59 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Additonal information:

"Lots of automakers like to talk about getting "back-to-basics." That's also the strategy at General Motors' telematics unit, OnStar. Though it is not abandoning high-priced options, like its concierge service, OnStar has decided to focus on its most basic - and popular - safety and security service. That stripped-down package allows a subscriber to call for help in an emergency, and with the latest update, the system will automatically call for assistance even in an accident that doesn't set off the airbag. OnStar also can remotely unlock a vehicle should a user inadvertently lock the key inside. "The peace of mind this creates provides the largest population of people willing to pay for the service," explained Chet Huber, president of the GM subsidiary. OnStar intends to continue offering its more advanced services, which include such features as stock and sports reports, as well as the ability to call an online concierge to handle such things as flight or hotel reservations, but the company has "backed away" from promoting them, Huber said. The goal is to deliver a clear and consistent marketing message, which provides, "The opportunity to get to the broadest subscriber base." OnStar's chief executive insists the strategy is working, and that the telematics service now has 2.5 million paying subscribers. It has also recorded 67 consecutive quarters of growth in its subscriber retention, Huber added. He would not give a precise number, but hinted retention is now greater than 50 percent. Despite downplaying advanced features, they are gaining customers. The OnStar Personal Calling service, which provides a user with a hands-free, voice-operated phone, has so far resold 300 million minutes of airtime. (OnStar resells that time from its cellphone service partner, Verizon.) The numbers - and user base - for Personal Calling could increase in the months to come. OnStar recently launched its sixth-generation hardware, finally switching to digital technology, rather than analog. That had been one of the biggest criticisms leveled at the service. However OnStar still does not offer the ability for subscribers to take their phones with them when they leave the car. That will change soon, Huber revealed. In "a couple of months," OnStar will begin offering a dual-phone package, with one built into the car, the other a conventional, handheld cellphone. A customer will be able to receive calls on either phone, and there will be a single bill each month. The new package, Huber believes, "will resonate with a lot of people." And it should overcome the last, serious criticism of the OnStar service, company officials are betting."

Source: Paul A. Eisenstein, Daily Edition

<<Onstar comes on DEMANDING ID and proof he owned the vehicle with his PIN. They said that vehicles usually driven at those speeds were stolen and were going to shut down the vehicle and call the cops. >>

---This is a farce! Years ago, OnStar ceased monitoring all vehicles all of the time, and deferred to search for vehicles only when reported stolen. My 1999 Escalade was one of the reasons for this change (due to faulty wiring on 99 Escalades only ... as Onstar would drain the battery prematurely).

On tht other hand ... when a vehicle IS reported as stolen, OnStar CAN and DOES "listen" to see if there is audible noise in the vehicle (if the vehicle is not moving). If it is moving ... OnStar CAN and DOES (at times) "speak" the the inhabitants. Here's an example of what OnStar CAN and DOES say ...

"This vehicle has been reported as stolen. Pull over at the next intersection ... 5th and Main ... and wait for Police (knowing the exact location and direction of the vehicle). If you fail to stop, we will disable the ignition, and lock the doors. The Police have been notified of your position".

OnStar is standard on many GM, Saab and Acura vehicles ... at no cost (optional on others within those makes as well). I'm surprised this would be an additional cost item.

Additional link information:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7052