OnStar - Worth It?

[Northern Mi Rich]

hi all. I bought a ‘21 Yukon SLT a month ago - and so far so good, really liking it at 550 miles. This is my first gmc product in over 30 years, so I’m not up to speed with Onstar and if its worth a monthly fee. Curious if anyone feels any of the Onstar functions are “can’t live without”. The recent Fords that I’ve owned had several of the Onstar features free of charge - so I’m struggling to now pay for things like remote start etc. Thanks for any points-of-view.

 

[Craignor]

The Onstar service is a “can’t live without” feature, literally IMHO. A no brainer.

If I am out and have a medical emergency, pass out and crash, or slide on the ice, or have a blowout, or fall asleep and go off the road out of sight of any other motorists, even if I am unconscious, the Onstar service alerts EMTs and gives them my location and sends help.

Automatic Crash Response
Using built-in vehicle sensors, Automatic Crash Response* can connect a specially trained OnStar Advisor who is connected into your vehicle to offer help if you’ve been involved in a crash. You’ll get help — even if you can’t ask for it. Advisors can notify first responders about your location and the likelihood of serious injuries using Injury Severity Prediction.

You hear of people being found days after they went missing and how they suffered. Onstar can prevent that.

 

[SnowBuck]

If I am out and have a medical emergency, pass out and crash, or slide on the ice, or have a blowout, or fall asleep and go off the road out of sight of any other motorists, even if I am unconscious, ....

LOL Or if a meteor hits you, or if the Space Station falls on you...
The one and only time I could have used it was when I broke down in the middle of WV. Hit the button. Got something like "Not in service area"...it wouldn't connect. Canceled it the day I got it back home!!!

 

[zbad55]

I have a limited package so I can use the app to remote start my vehicle as well as the locator service, ti's about $11.95 a month. It is mainly used in the winter time for me,

 

[mickeyfickymix]

Everyone is going to have different opinions. Their safety feature is nice like another poster mentioned, for a number of reasons, but everyone has different wants and needs. We are covered with Geico roadside and its by far cheaper over a year vs onstar. I also refuse to pay to have the ability to use an app. We do however subscribe to the 4G LTE in car wifi unlimited through AT&T. Thats definitely a nice feature for our family.

 

[Big Mama]

Not sure what they do these days. With so many features on today’s phones I don’t use mine but I use remote start a lot. As mentioned above different folks will have different opinions. See how much you use it while it’s free, then decide.

 

[bill1013]

LOL Or if a meteor hits you, or if the Space Station falls on you...
The one and only time I could have used it was when I broke down in the middle of WV. Hit the button. Got something like "Not in service area"...it wouldn't connect. Canceled it the day I got it back home!!!

I have it in my Yukon and the diagnostics & remote features accessible thru my iPhone are pretty slick. There's a feature now where if you get the "not in service message" there's a number you can call to inform them of your situation. But I would think that since the OnStar system works on a cellular frequency if it doesn't work then your cell phone probably won't work either. But if you just happen to breakdown next to a payphone, you remember those (seen one lately?), you're in luck! Or maybe Bubby J will let you use his hardwired phone, which is in the back...so be careful...he thinks you're cute! LOL!! Seriously, if you can afford it, IMHO, it's worth having. Aloha!

P.S. Over here Bubby J is commonly known as "Junior Boy" or "Kimo". Same mindset just different locale.

 

[2010gmcyukon]

I generally subscribe for the winter months, just to get the remote start via my phone. Parking at work is out of key fob range.

 

[BlaineBug]

You may not have on-star service, but on-star is always able to be connected no matter where you are. So, if you get lost, I believe they can still track the vehicle without your monthly fee.

 

[Larryjb]

A no brainer if you have the bucks. I don't have the bucks, so it's a different no brainer for me: no Onstar.

 

[Northern Mi Rich]

Thanks everyone for the points-of-view. I’ve got another week or two with the free 30 days - you’ve given me a few things to evaluate with the onstar options.

 

[Big Mama]

star is always able to be connected no matter where you are. So, if you get lost, I believe they can still track the vehicle without your monthly fee.

they can, it’ll just cost you before they help.

 

[SnowBuck]

You may not have on-star service, but on-star is always able to be connected no matter where you are. So, if you get lost, I believe they can still track the vehicle without your monthly fee.

Funny. I wonder how they can track you when you can't connect to them!?!?!? Didn't work for me in WV when I hit the button! If contemplating signing up, reevaluate just where you might be needing it. I got it for ski trips in WV but it lost connectivity once off the main highway. I canceled it. Oh, cell phones don't work there either unless in a main city (which there are few).

 

[Thunder22]

I never had it on my vehicles because I have my cell phone with me 24x7, and if i'm dead, well, i'm sure the first responders will call my family That being said, my mother will be driving the truck on occasion, so I'm considering getting it, but then realize that chevy roadside is probably sufficient and that's free.

 

[KOTAHOE]

hi all. I bought a ‘21 Yukon SLT a month ago - and so far so good, really liking it at 550 miles. This is my first gmc product in over 30 years, so I’m not up to speed with Onstar and if its worth a monthly fee. Curious if anyone feels any of the Onstar functions are “can’t live without”. The recent Fords that I’ve owned had several of the Onstar features free of charge - so I’m struggling to now pay for things like remote start etc. Thanks for any points-of-view.

Welcome aboard and don't forget your wallet. No seriously welcome...

 

[Brix]

Onstar is rolling out auto insurance. If you are a current subscriber insurance rates are supposed to be heavily discounted.

 

[George R]

OnStar has gotten better over the years. It comes in handy for vehicle location & remote functions such as lock/unlock etc.. plus it’s always good to have assistance at the push of a button. I believe they now offer a App that works basically the same. Minus the remote features.

 

[BlaineBug]

Funny. I wonder how they can track you when you can't connect to them!?!?!? Didn't work for me in WV when I hit the button! If contemplating signing up, reevaluate just where you might be needing it. I got it for ski trips in WV but it lost connectivity once off the main highway. I canceled it. Oh, cell phones don't work there either unless in a main city (which there are few).

I believe you can always contact them. Press the onstar button to call them just to ask the status of your system. Green light on = you have service, green light off = no service. But I believe the system will still connect.

 

[EddieC]

We had a free year and that seemed to worth it until I think back and we never had the occasion to use it. The built in cell service stunk but that was in 2008. We didn't see any value to reup after the first year. With cell phone in hand, what's the point?
Could make the same argument with the built in and free year of satellite radio. After the free year an offer comes for an obscene amount of money. When we ignored the offer, it dropped to about a quarter of the first offer in about a month. Kind of like gym memberships; both a racket.

 

[SnowBuck]

... green light off = no service. But I believe the system will still connect.

Guess I'm just old & confused! If it has "no service" just how can "But I believe the system will still connect".
One & only time I used/needed OnStar = it DIDN'T WORK! Canceled it.
SiriusXM is $13/month...but I only listened to ONE channel. Canceled it.