Onstar Emergency Service

dsr611 · March 18, 2011

I love On-Star for the hands free calling feature,especially since I don't have a cell phone

And here I thought I was the last holdout in America!

If it wasn't for my work cell phone, I wouldn't have one either!!!

dewfpo · March 18, 2011

One thing I found interesting about my truck. Although I don't subscribe, Onstar emerency services answers when I push the red button. You non-subscribers try it some time.

I was hoping that was the case. For me, it won't work anyway on my '05 because I didn't upgrade my truck to the new digital system when the analog system went dead a few years ago.

DEWFPO

MikeNH · March 19, 2011

Onstar is actually satellite based for most of its communications such as vehicle diagnostics and emergency services

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/onstar.htm

All communications and diagnostics are done through cell towers. The only satellite signal used is for GPS. That is relayed to OS through the cell service. If any of the diagnostics or voice calls were sat-based, the service would cost a fortune.

05GMCZ71 · March 19, 2011

Wires · December 3, 2011

Stupid question, but if I hit the call button, I get routed to Bell Mobility (basically saying I don't have an activated phone).

And with a regular cell phone, dialing 9-1-1 will get routed, regardless if the phone is activated or not.

Does the same apply to the integrated phone with onstar? If you dial 911 through the truck, and onstar isn't activated, does it still connect to a 911 operator, like a cell phone would?

RockySierra · December 3, 2011

No it does not. You have to be an active subscriber to use the emergency feature.

AzDragonLord · December 3, 2011

Onstar contracts with multiple cellular providers so it works just about anywhere. OnStar's cellular service has a better range than most cell phones (although you can still lose service in remote areas), with a full three watts instead of a regular cell phone's 0.6 watts.