OnStar small question
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 635
Likes: 329
From: Missouri
OnStar small question So had couple barley pops with some buddy's last night and an OnStar argument came up. Mostly directed at gm 07+ SUVs and Silverados. One says I ain't paid subscription in three years if I go run off road and hit a barn no one's gunna show up... My other buddy and I disagree. And am pretty Shure if air bags deploy there showing up... So who's right on this one my buddy or me. And if I'm wrong I'll gladly admit it.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Apparently OnStar is a lot like SiriusXM in that once a subscription has expired a deactivation signal is sent to the receiver in the vehicle. So there are no automatic crash alerts and pressing your emergency button will only get a recorded message that you have no subscription. Pressing the blue button will get you to an account person who can reactivate your subscription (after getting payment info) but has no ability to handle emergency response. This is done for what the movies call "plausible deniability" - they have no legal liability in an emergency because the system is shut off. It's also to protect profits... if people knew that the emergency services were available even without subscription then there would be no incentive for them to pay for a subscription renewal.
