2 gripes today - buckle up

[Lee]

OnStar has our credit card number so I need to remember to cancel the 3 month plan that has a bunch of extra stuff we don't need and continue on with the free 8 year Basic plan.
There is also 3 months of XM. If you're not interested in XM I'm guessing you can say no to that when getting things setup.

My wife reminded me we will get a email from Onstar and XM after 2 months letting us know the 3 month trial will end in one month.

 

[Lee]

OnStar always puts the hard sell on at activation and tries to assume you will want the $$$ add ons

No hard sell from the OnStar operator for us.

 

[dequardo]

Hard sell maybe not the best phrase. They word it such that it’s assumed you’ll want to do the add on and then ask for a CC number. Just say no.

 

[ricklack]

I cancelled Onstar after my 3 months trial. They constantly send emails and the occasional phone call. I told them if I get in an accident and they refuse to help i will sue the daylights of them. Never got a response to that

 

[Michael_D]

I heard that I did! On-Star and SeriousXM bug the dickens out of me. I bearly drive 30 miles a week. I just can't justify buying something not used.
You know what "They" say: Big Brother is watching anyway!

 

[dequardo]

I’d worry more about spelling.

 

[ap19063]

Who is they?

 

[Michael_D]

I’d worry more about spelling.

Spelling, Smelling! At 75....... I will still work on it. OK? Know What I mean? Seriously? Aren't there more important things to worry about?

 

[Michael_D]

Who is they?

"They" is Themuns what ain't usuns. ( I am aware that the spelling and grammar is not correct or proper )
Many years ago....I found myself asking that very same question. Some of my conclusions refer to people that believe themselves to be greater than anyone or everyone else.
Sometimes, it was people in positions that I thought were unattainable, until I attained that position. Most often, it was the ones that were on the other side of the door. Then when I went through the door, it was the ones on the other side of the door.

Suggested Reading: 1984

 

[ap19063]

WTF... how's that for spelling? Listen Mike, I'm guessing this is a forum for peeps to ask questions and post frustrations with their car. I'm not sure that spelling is that important, specially in the midst of a passionate argument LOL. So go easy on those of us, who are not here for a grammar reminder. The account application did not require an iq, or an education level, it just requested that you curve your language and that we be civil to each other. Now, let's get back to talking car.

 

[ricklack]

Mike was replying to criticism of his spelling. Since I am not too far behind him in age, I will defend the old guy!

 

[ap19063]

Thank you for correcting that. I'll admit that I thought he was complaining about someone's post. That said, I'll jump in an defend him as well, and any other for all that matters, which was the point I was trying to make, regardless of who made the original criticism. Peace!

 

[Autoworker 74]

The first one... and I may get push back on this from those that think ONSTAR is some ANGEL looking over them or their love ones.

Do you remember when you bought your equinox the sales guy telling you how you would get 8 years of service, etc. Let's be clear, he/she was telling you the truth and you would have been a fool, to think that this was some plan with all the bells and whistles, but what he didn't tell you is that built into the plan, by default mind you, is a 20.00 a month (for those of you who do not want to do math, that's 240.00 a year) ONSTAR/ATT service which is needed in order to use the built in GOOGLE, ALEXA, WAZE, SIRI, etc. in the infotainment (please allow me to laugh here) LOL. Yes, that is correct.... if you want to say "hey google" you need to have wifi. I guess this makes sense, except we've grown used to having our phones connected to the car and using it for the ability of maps, spotify, etc. and someone should have made us aware that GM and ONSTAR was going to withdrawl 20.00 a month for a cell plan must of us would not buy because we already have a CELL PLAN. Also keep in mind that this is not unlimited. If you want that one... so that the kiddies can play on their tablets (depending on the coverage) that plan is 35.00 dollars a month . What if ATT doesn't offer good coverage where you live? It doesn't matter... 20.00 a month. Ok, so the redeeming value of this, is that if you're reading this, you've been informed and you can cancel before the 3 month trial is up. Now, for the good stuff - if, you connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth as we've been doing for years, you can use your phones cell plan and not have to pay ONSTAR for this extra plan. BTW, removing this wifi plan did not prevent you from using the 8 year basic service you were given for free. ONSTAR will still send am ambulance, police in the event of an accident. All the 20 a month does is give the infotainment wifi in the car. Now fit my second gripe, or maybe I'm doing something wrong???

Now that is winter, I've noticed that if you turn on the heater in the car too soon after you started your engine, the fan still kicks on and now you're treated to... yes - cold air. Really? Maybe I'm confused, but this is 2024, do all cars not wait until the car is warm to begin blowing air all over your face? I have never had a really expensive car, but I've had my share of new cars (it's one of my vices) and I can safely say that most if not all others have waited for the engine to warm up before spewing air all over the car... what his is child air going to do? Sigh.. Again, 37k car and i have to wait 5 minutes or drive cold 5 minutes before I can turn the heater on. Unless, you can enlighten me on how I'm doing something wrong.

Stay toasty!

I started out with a Wi-Fi plan on my 2025 Nox but after about a month or two I cancelled it. I still have my hey Google for maps and my HVAC which I like because those buttons are not that simple to access. Actually I usually just press the button on the steering wheel but it all works without a Wi-Fi plan. Not sure how it all works but it definitely works.

 

[Lazy Bones]

What you say is exactly what my service department said. I contacted OnStar to complain, and they told me I had a problem in the car, that "Hey Google" was free for 8 years. It took three different over-the-air downloads to fix it in my car. I told my dealership that "Hey Google" is free, and now they know it, too.

 

[ricklack]

I started out with a Wi-Fi plan on my 2025 Nox but after about a month or two I cancelled it. I still have my hey Google for maps and my HVAC which I like because those buttons are not that simple to access. Actually I usually just press the button on the steering wheel but it all works without a Wi-Fi plan. Not sure how it all works but it definitely works.

It's pulling data from your cellphone. These days, it does not take a ton of data to run these things. My cellular plan has 50GB/ month - i use Google maps every day to and from work to avoid traffic, and on all trips. I think the most I have used is @ 20GB shared between wife and I in a month.

 

[ap19063]

As I've read through some of these posts regarding a wifi plan with GM/ONSTAR, I'm not sure if I'm understanding correctly. So, I'm going to follow up on my initial post. To be clear, I'm not trying to influence your decision to get or not get a car wifi plan in addition to the services that GM is including for free for 8 years. I'm only giving you the information I have based on my needs and usage. Also, I would like to add, that (thank God) we have not had any need for Onstar to send emergency services to us, but as I understand it, that is included in the 8 year free plan in the event you need help. With that said, I do not have any additional wifi or otherwise services attached to the plan included for free from GM and i can assure you that I do not need it. I use the car to send and receive texts, calls, google maps, etc. and control the features in the car, i.e. AC, radio without any problems. I do not need to pay extra for any of that, so I'm my opinion, I do not see a need to pay Onstar for any additional services every month. In the even, I need emergency services I will press the button and request it (unless the contact us first) but my gut feeling, is that they will answer and send help. I also believe in the event the car is stolen, that they will not assist with that recovery, but i have decided that in the event that happens, i can get them to add it on the spot and use it to find my car. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Lee]

As I've read through some of these posts regarding a wifi plan with GM/ONSTAR, I'm not sure if I'm understanding correctly. So, I'm going to follow up on my initial post. To be clear, I'm not trying to influence your decision to get or not get a car wifi plan in addition to the services that GM is including for free for 8 years. I'm only giving you the information I have based on my needs and usage. Also, I would like to add, that (thank God) we have not had any need for Onstar to send emergency services to us, but as I understand it, that is included in the 8 year free plan in the event you need help. With that said, I do not have any additional wifi or otherwise services attached to the plan included for free from GM and i can assure you that I do not need it. I use the car to send and receive texts, calls, google maps, etc. and control the features in the car, i.e. AC, radio without any problems. I do not need to pay extra for any of that, so I'm my opinion, I do not see a need to pay Onstar for any additional services every month. In the even, I need emergency services I will press the button and request it (unless the contact us first) but my gut feeling, is that they will answer and send help. I also believe in the event the car is stolen, that they will not assist with that recovery, but i have decided that in the event that happens, i can get them to add it on the spot and use it to find my car. Good luck with your decision.

That's how I understand it.
My wife's 2025 Blazer does not have Google Maps but it does have Maps + besides the built in Nav.
We can use Maps+ without paying OnStar for any data.

From OnStar

Yes, you can use Maps+ in your 2025 Blazer gas model without needing to connect your phone. The Maps+ feature is part of the OnStar Basics included with the vehicle for 8 years. You can use the voice commands and in-vehicle controls to access navigation, even without a phone.



Here's why:

• OnStar Basics included:
  The 2025 Blazer comes standard with OnStar Basics, which includes features like turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic, and voice assistance.
• 
  
• In-vehicle navigation:
  You can use the in-vehicle display to access the navigation features directly, without needing to connect a phone.
  
  
• 
  
• No need for phone connection:
  The Maps+ app and navigation features work independently of your phone, relying on the vehicle's built-in OnStar system.
  
  
• 
  
• Voice commands:
  You can use voice commands to initiate navigation or adjust settings.
  
  
• 
  
• Free for 8 years:
  The 8-year period of free OnStar Basics includes the navigation features, so you won't need an additional subscription.

 

[Lazy Bones]

It's pulling data from your cellphone. These days, it does not take a ton of data to run these things. My cellular plan has 50GB/ month - i use Google maps every day to and from work to avoid traffic, and on all trips. I think the most I have used is @ 20GB shared between wife and I in a month.

There is a cell-phone system in each car. Try it - leave your phone at home and try the "Hey Google: thing. It will still work.

 

[ricklack]

There is a cell-phone system in each car. Try it - leave your phone at home and try the "Hey Google: thing. It will still work.

The car's cellular only works if you are paying Onstar for data. The user I replied to had cancelled his Onstar data.

 

[Lee]

The car's cellular only works if you are paying Onstar for data. The user I replied to had cancelled his Onstar data.

The free plan gives you enough data for Navigation.