OnStar

OnStar combines telecommunications and GPS technology to offer a variety of safety, security and convenience services in cars.¹

Available on General Motors (GM) vehicles, the subscription-based service may include automatically alerting emergency personnel after a crash, tracking a stolen vehicle, maintenance reminders, turn-by-turn directions and stock quotes.²

Fast Facts

1. Uses telematics, a combination of telecommunications and GPS technology¹
2. Available on General Motors (GM) vehicles, including Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Saab, Hummer, Saturn and Cadillac
3. Uses cellular, voice recognition, GPS and vehicle telemetry³
4. Services include emergency alert, turn-by-turn directions, stock quotes, stolen vehicle tracking, navigation system and hands-free cellular service
5. 1997: First introduced in select General Motors (GM) vehicles¹
6. 2009: Stolen Vehicle Slowdown will enable OnStar advisors, working with law enforcement, to send a signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle to reduce engine power in order to slow the vehicle down gradually⁴

Navigation System

1. Push the OnStar button to connect to an advisor
2. Tell the advisor the destination
3. The advisor downloads the results to the car's screen-based navigation system

OnStar eNav

1. Subscribers plan and save trips on MapQuest
2. Push the OnStar button and then follow the turn-by-turn voice navigation directions

XM NavTraffic

1. Only available to subscribers with a screen-based navigation system
2. Subscribers view a color-coded overlay on their navigation screen indicating the average speed of travel along their planned route
3. Accidents, traffic delays and road construction are fed into to the subscriber's navigation screen

OnStar Privacy Concerns

The OnStar Privacy Statement acknowledges diagnostic vehicle information is collected and phone calls made through their system may be recorded and/or monitored. However, OnStar claims they will not release any audio or physical records that are created as part of their service without a subpoena or other legal requirements.⁵ Despite the privacy policy, some people have continued to express concern for the privacy of OnStar subscribers.⁶

Categories