OnStar Rocks!

[ragingfish]

Got my first vehicle diagnostics report via email from OnStar last week. This is by far the coolest thing I've ever seen:

[BOZACK]

I did not know that was a feature. Had I known, I would have gotten it.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by BOZACK »I did not know that was a feature. Had I known, I would have gotten it.Sadly, the Vibe's Toyotaness keeps it from having this feature...it doesn't have a true GM DataBus system which would make it possible...

[ColonelPanic]

That's very cool. Any idea how much detail it goes into when it finds a failure? That would be sweet if it would report back trouble codes and the like. Too bad the OnStar Vibers don't get those capabilities.

[ZubenElGenubi]

You know, that's a pretty cool feature, but if you change some of your notification options for the e-mail, you'll get even more information...

Attached files

[Charlievibe]

What happens if you use up your 130 hands-free minutes before next year? Do they charge you a ton of $$$ or can you just add to your plan or what? How does that feature work, I guess is what I am really asking.

[northvibe]

my moms malibu has those diagnostic things on the speedo buttons, im wondering if those are the samethings but onstar just emails you the results after it autoscans it. just wait tomorrow ur car will start talking and having convo's with u! MUAHAHAH car take over! neat feature as us internet nerds love emails

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »my moms malibu has those diagnostic things on the speedo buttons, im wondering if those are the samethings but onstar just emails you the results after it autoscans itThe only thing the Malibu likely shows is odometer and oil life. Things such as the status of your ABS system, airbag system, and onstar system are probably not shown. I've never known an onstar-equipped vehicle to show those kind of readings in the car.Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »You know, that's a pretty cool feature, but if you change some of your notification options for the e-mail, you'll get even more information... ROFL! I WISH I could get that feature!!! Quote, originally posted by Charlievibe »What happens if you use up your 130 hands-free minutes before next year? Do they charge you a ton of $$$ or can you just add to your plan or what? How does that feature work, I guess is what I am really asking.You use them or lose them. It's kind of like prepaid cell phone stuff. You can always buy more bundled minutes...OR...I can add my car onto my Verizon Wireless account and my mobile phone and car would share a bundle...which I seriously considered doing, but at $70 a month for the lowest package, was not cost permitive.

[russ257]

how does it know you changed your oil?

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »The only thing the Malibu likely shows is odometer and oil life. Things such as the status of your ABS system, airbag system, and onstar system are probably not shown. I've never known an onstar-equipped vehicle to show those kind of readings in the car.no, it shows ABS and all, it can even run a abs check to make sure its all working along with other tests. Same thing on my dads 05 escape. I was playing with both the days they got them...god im such a nerd.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by russ257 »how does it know you changed your oil?That is done through the GM oil life monitoring system. The system is manually reset through the driver info center at an oil change and the computer will monitor driving conditions, how far the car has been driven, etc etc and calculate a life remaining percentage using the gathered info. Of course, it only works properly if it is reset when the oil change.

[ArcsVibe]

Already bragging about your new ride Mike? I really wish my Vibe came with Onstar.....

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »...if you change some of your notification options for the e-mail, you'll get even more information... It took me a minute to see the photoshop...

[kostby]

Quote, originally posted by GM Futurethink »"A new navigation option for '08, called 'Son Of a Buck' will combine the use of vehicle GPS, onboard radar, and high-resolution military satellite imaging to locate free roaming deer and suggest alternate routes for drivers. When the SOB system indicates that a vehicle/deer collision is likely, OnSteer will take full control of the vehicle and use the Taser electronic countermeasures system to immobilize the deer and protect the vehicle and its occupants.

[northvibe]

hahhaha, tasing deer would be sweet.

[binary]

From my anti-corporation side its Big Brother'ish...From my geek techy side its fricken sweet!I was wondering about the calling minutes, how expensive is it to get a generous number - like 1,000/month or something?

[Toolman]

What is the advantage of using onstar to make calls? I would think it would be same as using a cell phone.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by binary »I was wondering about the calling minutes, how expensive is it to get a generous number - like 1,000/month or something?Quote, originally posted by OnStar »You have two ways to take advantage of OnStar Hands-Free Calling:Option 1: Purchase a prepaid minute package, good for 12 monthsMinutesPrice30$ 13.99100$ 39.99300$ 114.99500$ 174.991,000$ 299.99To purchase your selected minute package, good for 12 months, simply push the phone or white-dot button in your vehicle, and after you hear "OnStar ready," say "unit" and then "add." For assistance, please push the blue OnStar button or call us at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827).You can also use your prepaid minutes for Virtual Advisor, which lets you access traffic, weather, stock quotes, and more in your vehicle.Option 2: Link to a Verizon Wireless planIt's easy to link OnStar Hands-Free Calling to a Verizon Wireless plan on The America's Choice Plan with OnStar. With this plan, you get all the safety and security benefits of OnStar plus a convenient way to stay connected. Share the minutes between your in-vehicle calling feature and your Verizon wireless digital phone and get just one bill for all your calls.Source: http://www.onstar.com/us_engli...e.jspI got 30 free minutes when I got the car, and then they offered me another 100 minutes for only $30. I'm seriously considering linking my car to my VZW account though...the convenience has been fantastic.Quote, originally posted by Toolman »What is the advantage of using onstar to make calls? I would think it would be same as using a cell phone.True handsfree calling.Conversation through stereo system allows you to turn volume up to comfortable hearing level.Automatically mutes stereo when calls sent/received.External antenna sometimes has better reception then my phone.I originally felt the same as you -- it was a feature that was not worth my money. I've used it with my free minutes though, and it really is fricken awesome...and damn convenient. I do plan to (eventually) reinstall my bluetooth kit into the car...when that happens, I may not need the OnStar HFC feature anymore...but it might be a while before that kit gets put in...Just my $0.02.

[Toolman]

After bluetooth in a car, I can never go back. Answering and making calls over the Vibes radio is the way to go. I put the bluetooth in a few weeks ago after having it in my GTO for the last six months. I was tired of answering the phone and talking into it the "old fashioned way".

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Toolman »After bluetooth in a car, I can never go back. Answering and making calls over the Vibes radio is the way to go. I put the bluetooth in a few weeks ago after having it in my GTO for the last six months. I was tired of answering the phone and talking into it the "old fashioned way".I agree 100%. I had a bluetooth kit *briefly* in the Vibe, but it would never work right with my aftermarket stereo, and the OEM stereo didn't go back in until right before trade in. My "sources" tell me it would actually be VERY easy to wire in bluetooth in a car with OnStar, so when the service manuals finally get released and I can get the skinny on removing the radio, I look forward to reinstalling the kit.It will hopefully be wired in to mimic the OnStar HFC almost perfectly -- would love to be able to use the stock microphone even, so I don't have to run a second one (which for some reason I could never get to respond well to me )FWIW: my kit is the IHF1000

[Toolman]

How do you like the kit you have, I have the HCB30, the only bad thing is my wife and I always fight over whos phone gets to connect to it. We came up with the solution of whoevers car it is, their phone gets to be the one connected.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »FWIW: my kit is the IHF1000I should probably clarify for the record this is the Motorola IHF1000 kit [Link]Quote, originally posted by Toolman »How do you like the kit you have, I have the HCB30, the only bad thing is my wife and I always fight over whos phone gets to connect to it. We came up with the solution of whoevers car it is, their phone gets to be the one connected.I love it, and can't wait to get it back in. Just a shame I never got it to work well with my system. It has built in voice navigation menus, and I can even store an address book on the device itself, which allows me to dial just by saying a name. It can also have up to 4 phones paired with it, and you can switch among the paired devices really easily. Would certainly solve your dilemma.

[binary]

20-40 cents a minute is a bit steep for prepaid - but it's good for a year, which is a pretty long period of time.Linking to your existing phone is a great deal - Verizon must be making a killing on this. I use my cell phone all the time during my 10 hours / week on the road. I could easily justify OnStar with that service. RF - thanks for the info.