[NJRonbo]

I am at the end of my initial year of
free Onstar service.

I enjoyed the email diagnostic reports
every month.

Bought phone minutes. Never used them.
I always have a phone on me.

Once in a while I would lock my keyfob
in my car because I pressed the lock
button on the dashboard (which I still
do regularly). I had to call Onstar to
open the door.

However, if I can figure out how to stop
the car from locking with the keyfob inside
then I really don't see the need for Onstar.

The renewal costs $200 a year or something
like $30 a month. In either case, it's quite
expensive for something I may never use.
True, it's an insurance policy against help in
an accident but you have to weigh how likely
you think it may happen.

These are tough economic times for everyone.
Usually I wouldn't scoff at paying $200 for the
renewal, but for the next few months it's gonna
be a little tough to cough it up.

Anyone feeling the same way or want to talk
me out of not renewing?

 

[GMJim]

+1 on nixing Onstar

 

[Nancy116]

I'm confused. You mean you lock the doors with the dashboard button as you're exiting the vehicle? Why don't you just lock them from the keyfob?

I never renewed my Onstar after the trial period (6 years ago) and have never had a situation where I missed it.

 

[NJRonbo]

I'm confused. You mean you lock the doors with the dashboard button as you're exiting the vehicle? Why don't you just lock them from the keyfob?

Blame this very forum.

When I first got my vehicle some of the
regulars were talking about a very cool
method of exiting the vehicle, walking
away, and having it lock itself.

That was the idea behind the dashboard
button.

You exit. 10 seconds later car beeps
and doors lock.

What I found out the hard way was that
if you left your keyfob in the car, the doors
lock anyway.

Trust me, you get used to that button.
Everytime I exit the SRX, I hit it.

I am trying to ween off that button and
go back to the keyfob to lock the car,
but it gets habit forming.

 

[Ponyman]

You can get OnStar for $148 is you call and demand it.

 

[NJRonbo]

Ponyman,

Just that easy, eh?

I call them up and say I want Onstar for $148
and they will give it to me at that price?

Based on what?

 

[smiley47]

$148 is for Safe and Sound, not Directions and Connections. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[NJRonbo]

$148 is for Safe and Sound, not Directions and Connections. Well worth it in my opinion.

Ah, okay. That's the one I wanted. Thought
it was $199.

That's a little better and worthy of a second thought.

 

[NJRonbo]

Ah, okay. That's the one I wanted. Thought
it was $199.

That's a little better and worthy of a second thought.

Actually, the Onstar website says $199 for SAFE AND SOUND.

So, I am still not confident that I can talk them down
from that.

 

[smiley47]

Actually, the Onstar website says $199 for SAFE AND SOUND.

So, I am still not confident that I can talk them down
from that.

Negotiate. Tell them your neighbor got that price. If they refuse, just say "well I'll just have to cancel". If they don't come around just call back later. You will get that price.

 

[stealth97]

I also like the car retrievel capability if the car is stolen. What do others think of this system? Has anyone had to use it?

 

[cam30era]

There is a way to prevent locking your FOB in the car. Programed via the Config menu. See page 5-45 of the owner's manual, copied below:

Power Door Locks
Select Power Door Locks and the
following will be displayed:
.
Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out
.
Auto Door Unlock
.
Delayed Door Lock
Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out
When on, this feature will keep the
driver door from locking when the
door is open. If Off is selected, the
Delayed Door Lock menu will be
available and the door will lock as
programmed through this menu.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when Auto Door Unlock is
highlighted. Turn the knob to select
On or Off. Press the knob to confirm
and go back to the last menu.

 

[Ponyman]

NJ, I am not in the habit of lying. You CAN get the Safe and Sound for $148 if you call and demand it. Tell them you have seen where many others are getting it for this price and they will give it to you. They DON"T advertise this price, but they are kind of like XM radio. Before they will let you cancel they WILL give you the $148.

 

[NJRonbo]

Ponyman,

Never thought you were lying.

Just didn't know how to finagle the deal.

I'll try it. Will check back soon.

 

[etexlady]

Anyone been able to negotiate a better price for Directions and Connections? I wish they would allow one to purchase that on a month to month basis. I tend to use it while traveling over the Christmas holidays or shopping trips to nearby Dallas or Houston. I see on their website that OnStar is teasing some new services in March.

 

[Ponyman]

I have not tried, but a GM rep at the oklahoma City car show last year told me that you could turn it on for only a month or two when you needed it. Like I said, I never tried it, but that was what she said. She was very knowledgeable about the SRX before we bought it, so she might have know what she was talking about.

 

[Ponyman]

As far as the $148 for Safe and Sound goes. We had called OnStar and told them not to renew us. They did offer a little better deal on Directions and Connections, but nothing great. About a week later I called them back and asked for the $148 and got it with no problem.

 

[greyghost04]

After 7 years of Onstar I want to say I like them for the first time. Their Onstar app for my smartphone is really cool. You can boot it and the first screen will show you gas left, miles left, average mileage and more. Next page has all the tire pressures. Now the cool part is you navigate to the Remote page and there is the button to push that starts your car. You could be anywhere in the world doing this! There is also a button to open locks and to beep horn and lights. When my free year is up I'll probably sign up for the $149 plan just to keep those features. :yup:

 

[drjdan]

I us all the time for destination download to nav system. That saves me from having manual entry before leaving. Can make changes in route without having to stop. The dest they download includes phone number if bus so can an easy call if need.

Also the remote start iPhone app is great. Don't have to worry about distance and it is two way so confirmation that is started.

 

[NJRonbo]

Their Onstar app for my smartphone is really cool.

Unfortunately only works for the 2011 vehicles from
what I understand.