I don't know if you are talking to me but, I use Fords STAR scanner. OBD2 doesn't record anything. With the scanner, you can record for a short period but, only while the scanner is hooked up.

 

MW95F250 - I don't know where you get your information from, but I have a 2002 GMC Sierra Denali with OnStar. It is a great feature and can be taken advantage of in many different ways. If you don't want it functional, it's as simple as pulling the fuse in the fuse box to disable it.

The first year is FREE, each additional year is $199...that makes it about $16.58 a month. This information is right off of OnStar's website. If you want more features like Concierge service where they'll call a restaurant and make your dinner reservations for you...now that will cost ya more.

Does the vehicle diagnostics work? Absolutely! I had my check engine light come on and decided to press the button. They diagnosed the problem...faulty antifreeze reservoir level sensor. They also made an appointment for me with the closest GMC dealer or the dealer of my choosing and made sure they had the part when I arrived. Diagnosis by the technician at the dealership confirmed the problem. If you are even in an accident or lock your keys in your truck...its invaluable!

One more thing. If your car is stolen, OnStar can track the vehicle through its built in GPS to lead the authorities right to it. Same way it tells the authorities where you are in the case of an accident. Why buy an outdated LoJack for all that money when it doesn't work nearly as good since its not GPS-based like the OnStar. Not a bad insurance policy for under $17 a month

Chrysler and Mercedes offer a very similar system.

Cableguy2

 

I thin it's great, althought not a reliable method for theft protection (or location). Just as easily as you can pull the fuse out to turn it off, someone can pull it out to stop from being tracked.

OnStar is great - honestly you're too paranoid if you're worried about people tracking what you do.. or too full of yourself. If it's done for consumer research in the end it benefits you, I don't see how people fail to realize that.

Another thing, there are tiers of OnStar service. The "safe and sound" basic package is the $199, there's also a $34.95 that provides some other things, mostly turn by turn driving directions. You can also buy minite packages to use it as a telephone where cell phones wont work, or you simply don't have one. It's truly a great system, and what else would you do with $17 per month. I think GM can built it into your loan too, and lock in the lower rates (the will rise with popularity, inflation, etc)

**On a side note, AAA is not the same service as OnStar.. AAA is like a campground, where OnStar is like a Hilton.

 

Cableguy,

Next time you buy a new rig. Tell them its free while the rig is underwarranty.. All those its just $20 a month add up. Dish, DSL, OnStar, AAA, ...

 

Rlh - true, they do add up but you shouldn't have a Dish or DSL anyway.

You should have Digital Cable and High Speed Internet over your cable service

 

They definately add up, but $17/mo <<<< Locksmith

 

My aunt bought a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix 4 door with the Onstar option, and it was free for the first 6 months and was $49.95 (according to the dealer) a month after that. After the free period she discontinued the Onstar feature.

 

MW95F250 - just as an FYI...a dealership cannot sell you an OnStar renewal...the membership must be renewed directly through OnStar. It can be done via their web site, by calling there 800 number or by using the OnStar system itself and speaking with a Customer Service rep over OnStar. Maybe your Aunt misunderstood what she was told because it has never been that expensive. As I stated above...it's only $199 a year or just under $17 a month for their Safe & Sound Service which is the service that you get for free whjen buying any GM vehicle equipped with OnStar.

OnStar is just like that Home Security you may have and keep paying $24.95 or $29.95 a month to be monitored with the police and fire company. It feels like you are just throwing money away until the darn thing goes off because someone broke into your home and then the police show up in under a few minutes. Then, it becomes priceless and you'll write that check every month with a smile on your face.

OnStar is the same way...you really can't appreciate it until after you really need it

Cableguy2

 

not nessicarily, how do you know its not designed with an internal power supply, that charges up whenever powered, or a battery that lasts years.

even if you don't subscribe to the system, I'm sure they can still track you with it, just not give you any benefits.this stuff scares me, making people give up a measure of control for convenience.

 

You could buy one of those magnetic key holders and that would do the same thing, and be a much cheaper alternative. You could just lock your car, instead of relying on Onstar (big brother) to watch it for you. My opinion is that Onstar is one of those things that I can do with out. Its like the idiot lights on the dash board, like the fuel light that comes on when you're almost out of gas, well just look at the gauge and you'd know that you need to find a gas station soon, instead of waiting on the buzzer or light to tell you.

 

I believe Onstar is an independent company with a contract with GM. I have seen Onstar on non-GM cars also. I sure hope Sirius doesn't go down. They have MUCH better programing, especially Bluegrass than XM.

 

onstar is atleast moving from Troy MI to Gm's Ren Center in downtown Detroit, they are leasing 2 floors I think, so it seems they are their own gm spinoff, kinda like ford and visteon and gm and delphi

 

I have had very good luck with the OnStar installed in my truck. The phone works better than my cell 90% of the time. No roaming charges. The GPS works, they knew I was west-bound on I-40 but could not tell me the mile marker that I was sitting near. The AAA advisor sent me five gallons of fuel and helped me reprime the system. The diagnostic over the phone worked and door unlock feature worked as advertised.

 

Aketay - AMEN brother! Can't beat that with a stick at under $17 a month. I bet most of the people on this board spend that at McDonalds in less than a week

Cableguy2

 

neither of those expense in my budget