How OnStar® Service Works

In order to provide you with OnStar® services, your vehicle’s OnStar® system has the capability of recording and transmitting vehicle information.

This information is automatically sent to an OnStar® Call Center at the time of an OnStar® button press, Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN system deploys. The vehicle information usually includes your GPS location and, in the event of a crash, additional information regarding the accident that your vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the direction from which your vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar® Hands-Free Calling, your vehicle also sends OnStar® your GPS location so that we can provide you with location-based services.

OnStar® service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a place where OnStar® has an agreement with a wireless service provider for service in that area. OnStar® service also cannot work unless you are in a place where the wireless service provider OnStar® has hired for that area has coverage, network capacity and reception when the service is needed, and technology that is compatible with the OnStar® service.

Not all services are available everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas, or at all times.

OnStar® service that involves location information about your vehicle cannot work unless GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and available in that place as well.

Your vehicle must have a working electrical system (including adequate battery power) for the OnStar® equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar® cannot control that may prevent OnStar® from providing OnStar® service to you at any particular time or place. Some examples are damage to important parts of your vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather or wireless phone network congestion.

    See also:

    Compass Calibration
    Press and hold the on/off button to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass window on the mirror. The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in circ ...

    Windows
    The power window switches are located on the driver door. Each passenger door has a switch that controls only that window. Press the switch to lower the window. Pull the front of the switch up to r ...

    Engine Compartment Fuse Block
    To open the fuse block cover, press the clips at the front and back and rotate the cover up to the side. Notice: Spilling liquid on any electrical component on the vehicle may damage it. Always ...