"Oh...um...sorry to bother you...disembodied OnStar voice. Hope I didn't interrupt any truly important calls."
That's my first reaction whenever I hear that OnStar "ding" followed by "OnStar Ready" in a GM vehicle. And that's why my apprehension level goes up when I see that OnStar button under the rearview mirror.
See, I like to think of myself as relatively self-sufficient. Sure, I'll ask for help but I have to really need it first. However, on a semi-regular basis, when I'm in an OnStar-equipped car I find myself unintentionally activating the system, which in turn causes tremendous guilt because I feel I'm bothering an OnStar employee who could be helping another driver, maybe even someone with a true emergency.
I'll give you a few examples:
My first experience with OnStar came in 2000, shortly after the technology was offered in high-end GM cars. I felt nervous hitting the button right from the start, but I was doing a story on a Cadillac equipped with OnStar, so I figured I needed to try it out and report my findings.
I hit the button outside my house, asked for directions to the nearest Wells Fargo ATM, and was directed right past a nearby Wells Fargo bank (with two ATMs) to a Ralph's grocery store a few miles away. I thanked OnStar, hung up, and drove back to the bank to make a withdrawal.
While I was disappointed in OnStar's knowledge of my local ATMs, I was far more troubled by the concept of bothering another human just to get driving directions (insert your " the difference between men and women" joke here). My overriding feeling after hanging up?
"Oh...um...sorry to bother you...disembodied OnStar voice. Hope I didn't interrupt any truly important calls."
My next OnStar experience came in a Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, circa 2003. I was at our test track making slalom runs, which as you might guess involved a lot of high G, back-and-forth activity. About halfway through my third run I heard the OnStar tone and then a female voice asking me if I was okay. Apparently the slalom run agitated the car's stability sensors, which then initiated a call to OnStar to see if the car had crashed.
"Oh...um...sorry to bother you...disembodied OnStar voice. Hope I didn't interrupt any truly important calls."
In the last few years I haven't actually talked to any OnStar folks, but on several occasions I have almost talked to them, always unintentionally. Usually it's when I'm trying to pair my phone with the car's Bluetooth system. Because there's an OnStar button and a telephone button on the rearview I'll hit the telephone button thinking it's where you start the pairing process.
"Ding. OnStar ready."
"Oh...um...sorry to bother you...disembodied OnStar voice. Hope I didn't interrupt any truly important calls."
That's my first thought of course, but I usually just shout "Cancel" to avoid bothering anyone at OnStar. If the car has Bluetooth you can pair your phone and not involve OnStar in the calling process (but don't use the telephone button on the rearview mirror -- go through the center stack controls). If the car doesn't have Bluetooth you can use OnStar to make a call, or use your own hands-free device. I always use my own earphones because I don't want to bother someone just to make a phone call -- and I don't want to incur any calling charges.
And that's really the essence of why OnStar makes me nervous. It's not that I don't appreciate the safety and security services it offers. It is easily the best solution to a host of problems, such as a real emergency situation that incapacitates the driver, or when a GM vehicle is stolen.
But when I drive a GM car I always feel like I'm no the verge of activating OnStar, and short of being in a serious accident I simply don't want to bother anyone.
This apprehension is probably more a reflection of my own issues than any failing by OnStar, but I'm curious if other GM owners feel the same way? What do you say guys? Does having OnStar on board make you more or less nervous?
By dscain
on October 20, 2009
06:19 AM
I have OnStar on both of my Chevies, and I'm glad it's there. I've never triggered it accidentally. I like knowing that, in case of theft or accident, there is a support system waiting to help. Even more, I particularly like the Turn-By-Turn Navigation. It's easy to use if I need directions while I'm driving, and if I'm planning a trip, I can use MapQuest to get directions on my computer, tweak them if I want to go a particular way, and then send them to OnStar.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the service - enough that I've already decided to continue to pay for it after my subscriptions end.
By opfreakx
on October 20, 2009
06:35 AM
OnStar is one reason I might write of GM cars forever.
I dont want any more goverment control over my car.
By eidolways
on October 20, 2009
07:08 AM
Just pressing the phone button doesn't actually call anybody, by the way. Only pressing the blue OnStar button initiates an actual call to a living, breathing OnStar rep. Pressing the phone button just initiates the car's local OnStar system menu so you can call in to a computer system for eNav, weather, stocks, etc. All of the features accessed using the phone button are automated, even if it does necessitate a call outside the car.
By dscain
on October 20, 2009
08:02 AM
Opfreakx, it's not necessary to write off GM cars because you don't want OnStar. You can always choose not to subscribe after the first year's free one runs out, and if you really want the car but not the service, you can always disconnect the box. On my Chevy, the OnStar box is right behind one easily-removable panel. A quick unplug of a wiring harness and it's gone.
By opfreakx
on October 20, 2009
08:35 AM
dscain
will that disable Onstars ability to disable my car?
My 'fear' is cops ability to get onstar to disable my car. Will they be able to do that if I dont pay for onstar?
I'd rather not give the cops that power.
By dscain
on October 20, 2009
09:11 AM
If you disable the wiring harness (there are actually two, but they're side by side) and unplug the antenna (right beside the wiring harnesses), then you've done a pretty thorough job of killing all the OnStar services. As far as I know, OnStar no longer exists. If there are any GM Techs out there, feel free to correct me. I just know what when I unplugged mine by accident (long story), all my OnStar functions stopped.
By tmoneyr523
on October 20, 2009
09:43 AM
Although I've only been an OnStar subscriber for just over a year, my parents have both had it in their Cadillacs since it was introduced. I really must say that it LOWERS my apprehension level just by having it there..
1.) You should know that the phone button and the "OnStar Ready" prompt is just a computer and you aren't "bothering" anyone.
1A.) I have found that the numerous times I have used the service, they all seem very happy to assist me (You can tell they really listen to.. I asked for directions to a Starbucks one time and while they were searching for the nearest one, we both talked about our favourite drinks there).
2.) When you press your blue button, you're just being thrown into a queue and an advisor will assist you when they're available.. so you shouldn't feel scared about taking the place of an emergency call.. the emergency calls (AACN, Emergency Presses, etc.) all go to an OnStar Emergency teams.
3.) In the incident with your 2003 Malibu Maxx.. like the advisor told you.. your vehicle's sensors were detecting a rapid change in speed/direction and thought that there may have been a crash.. while I'm glad to hear this was a false alarm, aren't you happy they called in? What if you really were in a crash unconscious? We're paying for that service.. you shouldn't feel bad that you took up 30 seconds of that advisor's time.
Those few points were just to clarify some of the apprehension you may be feeling.. personally I love the OnStar service and will never be without it again. It actually excites me to press the blue button knowing that I'm just in queue and that I'm not "bothering" anyone.
I'd also like to respond to "opfrekx"'s fear about OnStar and the police:
- OnStar will NEVER disable your car or restrict access in any way unless you specifically request it. If you don't renew/pay for your OnStar Service, the system will automatically deactivate itself (the green light next to the buttons will turn off).. while the system is disabled, OnStar doesn't have access to your car's systems even if they wanted to break the law and their own privacy policy.. the only way you could re-establish contact with OnStar is if you pressed the blue button (and even then, you'd only be connected to a new accounts department).
- If you don't even want that free year, besides completely removing the wires.. tell the dealership you get your car from to NOT activate the service and if they've already done that, you can call OnStar or press in and ask them to disable your account effective immediately.
By altimadude00
on October 20, 2009
12:18 PM
Also, older cars equipped with OnStar (before 2005 or 6) use analogue receivers. OnStar went digital so those older receivers are defunct anyway.
By opfreakx
on October 20, 2009
07:20 PM
tmoneyr523
oh really
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113958140
Police had called operators at OnStar, who sent a command that electronically disabled the gas pedal. It was the first time GM's OnStar has been used to stop a chase.
--------------------------------------------------
I bet its the first of MANY times the cops use it.
Suspected of anything - 1800onstar
-Onstar how can we help
-DoughnutEat 5O - Ya we have this problem, can you stop car xyz
-Onstar - Yes officer will be happy to help.
Car = Off.
Screw that. GM can go suck on some more goverment tit before I allow them that kind of access.
By opfreakx
on October 20, 2009
07:22 PM
longer story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091019/ap_on_bi_ge/us_car_fights_back_2
The stolen vehicle slowdown feature isn't offered on all GM vehicles yet, but the company hopes to expand it to the entire lineup as models are updated. For 2010, the feature is on 18 models.
Mestas hopes that both technology like OnStar and more police aircraft can minimize the dangers of chases.
"It would be nice to have a day in law enforcement that you didn't have to actively pursue suspects at high speeds," she said
Ya thats excatly what we need cops in more control
By tcolberg85
on October 20, 2009
10:06 PM
God forbid we allow the government to impinge on my right to lead the police on a high speed chase.
By opfreakx
on October 21, 2009
05:45 AM
tcolberg85 - Using your flawed logic:
God forbid we allow the goverment to impide on my right to speed. make fast turns. Stop suddenly. Etc etc
Futhermore. Who says the technology is only for high speed chases?
Cop is an a--hole and just feels like he wants to turn your car off /stop you, etc ettc.
If you want a totalarian state go move to iran.
By 1487
on October 21, 2009
09:05 AM
"My 'fear' is cops ability to get onstar to disable my car. Will they be able to do that if I dont pay for onstar?
I'd rather not give the cops that power."
You sound ridiculous. People pay for the stolen vehicle shut down feature. YOU have to activate it by alerting authorities and ONstar that the vehicle is stolen. Why in the world would the police go around randomly stopping you in YOUR vehicle? The cop alone has no power to stop your car, only Onstar can do that and this is a feature that the owner has to want and pay for.
By opfreakx
on October 21, 2009
09:30 AM
people are so niave its amazing
By altimadude00
on October 21, 2009
01:33 PM
Naivete or paranoia?
By opfreakx
on October 21, 2009
01:37 PM
why paranoia. GM just spyed on thosands of its Onstar users to collect data for the volt.
By 1487
on October 22, 2009
10:19 AM
you have proof? Of course not.
By eidolways
on October 22, 2009
01:57 PM
Bet you guys didn't know that cell phone companies can triangulate the position of your cell phone based upon the reception of the signal at multiple towers. Police have asked providers to do it before. So, really, the device in your pocket is as good for finding out where you at any given time as is your OnStar-equipped car.
Regarding OnStar, as always, all of you have the right to either disable the system or refuse to purchase an OnStar-equipped vehicle if you don't like the intrusion. It's up to you. Welcome to the free market. Disabling the system is not illegal in any way, shape, or form.
In summary...
Relax.
By editor_karl
on October 22, 2009
03:38 PM
Good points eidol, but I would submit that my cell phone isn't always on, and I can turn it off pretty quickly (no crawling around and/or pulling vehicle panels required).
Also, a signal sent to my cell phone can't disable me...so far (probably only a matter of time before "they" develop some high-pitched frequency that can be emitted from a cell phone on command to knock a person out).
BTW, anyone ever see conspiracy theory? :)