2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Crank-Calling OnStar

Yep, poor placement, but in my experience with other OnStar-equipped vehicles you can just hit the OnStar button again to end the call.

For all the years I have been driving I can't think of one time I actually used or needed a day/night function of course I don't look straight at the lights of the guy behind me either.

@hybris

I never understood the need for an autodimming mirror either, but that's because I drove high riding Toyota pick 'em up trucks. Now that I'm driving low slung Subaru's, it's an important feature because most SUV headlights are aimed directly at your rear view mirror. It's very hurtyfull on the eyes.

I've had Onstar buttons on my mirrors for I don't know how many years now. I have never once called them accidentally. Bet it never happens on the Onstar-equipped Hondas, strangely.

Eagerly awaiting IL's reports on GM's poor paint colors or offensive interior fabric patterns.

Both of my 2011 Chevrolets with OnStar have day/night levers that turn instead of moving backward and forward. I've never accidentally hit the OnStar button, so at least to me, this seems like a better design.

What are the actual, real world useful applications of OnStar? My girlfriend has an OnStar car, and she usually uses it for phoning.
I think OnStar has a Nav function, but I also think that you need a subscription to get it. I have a Nuvi that is paid for and will never cost me any more money, and I have a cell phone which costs me $8 a month (TracFone, of course).

So, what are the benfits of OnStar?

I can think of only one: Unlocking the door when you have locked the keys in.

ed124c says:
08:42 AM, 02/ 3/12

"What are the actual, real world useful applications of OnStar? My girlfriend has an OnStar car, and she usually uses it for phoning.
I think OnStar has a Nav function, but I also think that you need a subscription to get it. I have a Nuvi that is paid for and will never cost me any more money, and I have a cell phone which costs me $8 a month (TracFone, of course).

So, what are the benfits of OnStar?

I can think of only one: Unlocking the door when you have locked the keys in."

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Don't forget, they also helpfully "provide" various marketers with your personal info (at a nominal fee, of course) and will help law enforcement track and/or gain access to your car...warrant or not.

One thing that has bugged me about a lot of GM cars over the years is when they're too lazy/cheap to integrate a control they just jam it into the rearview mirror.

Case-in-point, the Corvette's airbag-off light is annoyingly on the mirror. I can understand forward-view cameras, rain/light sensors and some other location-critical devices, but Onstar buttons? Just put the damn things in an overhead console already.

esoterica said: "Yep, poor placement, but in my experience with other OnStar-equipped vehicles you can just hit the OnStar button again to end the call."

I cancelled the call when I accidentally hit the button in my rental, but an OnStar rep called back immediately

When I pull back on the lever of a manual dimming mirror, I put my thumb on the bottom edge to keep the whole mirror from moving. Of course, that's where the buttons are. But as I stated before, an owner will get used to it and adjust.

Yes! That kept happening to me, too! #hateit

"Just put the damn things in an overhead console already."

You mean like BMW has done where the BMW Assist button is designed to look extremely similar to — and mirror — the sunroof switch? Yeah I'm sure that prevents a lot of accidental dialings.

Erin, I did the same thing in a demo Cobalt SS GM provided for an autocross event they set up. I didn't know how to cancel, so I had a lovely conversation with the on-star emergency rep (yup, I hit the red button) while blasting through the cones. Best part was, I posted my best time to that point on that run.

"So, what are the benfits of OnStar?"

Me: "Hmm...where is this place? Can't find it in the Nav".
PRESS BUTTON
OnStar: "Hello, how may I help you Mr Fennell?"
M: "I'm trying to find [random place]"
OS: "Here it is, at such-and-such address, I'll download it to the Nav. Is there anything else I can help with?"
M: "No, thanks very much."

Nav picks it up, and I drive there.

You can also download directly to the car from the OnStar app or (I think) from GoogleMaps.

I did just mention to my friend that I have to think think that an iPhone with Siri probably gives 95% of the Nav functionality.

*shrug* I'd never pay for it directly (it's baked into the price of the car) but it's more handy than I expected. I've used it a few times. Every OnStar operator has been extremely helpful. Once, when he couldn't find a location of a particular restaurant with two locations, the operator offered to call the first store to get the address of the second for me.

@esoterica,

"You mean like BMW has done where the BMW Assist button is designed to look extremely similar to — and mirror — the sunroof switch? Yeah I'm sure that prevents a lot of accidental dialings. "

That's not a button. It's a little door that pops open when you push it. Underneath it is a big recessed orange button that you hold down for about two seconds to activate a BMW Assist emergency call. It is virtually impossible to accidentally hit it.

Also, it doesn't actually look or feel anything like the sunroof switch from inside the car. The BMW Assist door is smooth and flush whereas the sunroof switch has a recessed pocket with a protruding square switch.

"That's not a button. It's a little door that pops open when you push it. Underneath it is a big recessed orange button that you hold down for about two seconds to activate a BMW Assist emergency call. It is virtually impossible to accidentally hit it."

Sorry, not in a particular X5 I drove. How do I know? I hit it when I was reaching for the sunroof switch.

*and I've never accidentally hit the OnStar button in any GM product.