1. OnStar's basic services are free for the first year (which includes 30 minutes talk time). However, for like only $15 when you initially activate you can add an extra 100 minutes.
2. In CA, it is illegal to talk (without handsfree) on a personal cell phone while driving a car, and the COPs are busting people right and left every day to break drivers of this habit. Incidentally, the same law will likely spread to all other States within a few years.
On another late model Chevy, (not a Corvette), I decided to renew after the first year. At the same time, I also added another cut rate prepaid talk time package. I use OnStar for urgent only outgoing calls to prevent burning up the prepurchased talk time minutes unnecessarily. I use my regular cell phone the rest of the time when I am not driving, OR . . .
THIRD OPTION: If your mobile phone supports Bluetooth, buy a Motorola handsfree speaker or similar device if you don't want to subscribe to OnStar.
I have not signed up for OnStar's so-called "Turn by Turn" Navigator service.
I received a free introductory trial to that service for the first month, and it is a good service. It could be very useful in a car that did not already have a NAV system. However, for those of us with that option, who ponied up an extra $2000, we essentially have the same thing as OnStar's Turn by Turn Navigation service, and might as well use what we already paid for. In fact, the optional NAV system in the Z06 is even better than OnStar's audio only Navigation service, because it can be linked to the HUD.
I have had on star for over two years on my 06' Denali. Really like having the option there if I would need it in an emergency situation. I also have it tied in with my cell phone as Verizon offers add a line for only an additional $9.99 a month and you can tie it in with your cell plan minutes. Works great for me.
I signed up for the added minutes for $16.00 that gives a total of 130 minutes. As far as the turn-by-turn, I decided to let it ride. I can find my way, been doing it for 53 years.
I pushed the phone button to add some phone numbers but wasn't sure what to say to add phone numbers. I hope there is a manual somewhere I can let the wife read to figure it out.
I "think" the command to enter new contacts is "STORE". But, I don't use it very much, so maybe it's something else. Anyway, there is an instruction manual and the HELP command is somewhat self-explanatory.
What I haven't been able to figure out (but I'm told there is a way), when making a call using OnStar, how do you deal with telephone automated response systems? You know, the ones that have a recording that tells you to enter "1" for this or "2" for that? I just hang up and call back later and hope to talk to a REAL person . . . NOT!
I "think" the command to enter new contacts is "STORE". But, I don't use it very much, so maybe it's something else.
Nope, you're correct.
How to store a nametag for speed dialing:
Press the telephone button.....The OnStar system will reply “OnStar Ready”
Say "Store".....The OnStar system will reply “Please say the entire phone number to store”
Say the entire number without pausing.....The OnStar system will repeat the number, and ask “Yes” or “No”
Say “Yes” (or “No” to try again).....The OnStar system will reply “Nametag, please”
Say “<home>.”.....The OnStar system will reply “About to store <home>. Does that sound Ok?”
Say “Yes” (or “No” to try again).....The OnStar system will reply “Ok storing <home>”
Note: <home> can be any label you want. The name of a person or a place of business for example.
How to place a call using a stored nametag:
Press the telephone button. The OnStar system will reply “OnStar Ready”
Say “Call” The OnStar system will reply “Please say the nametag”
Say the nametag you wish to dial. The OnStar system will reply “Ok, calling <nametag>”
Oh, and the voice command for Thai food can be either "Thai Restaurant" or "Thai Food". At which time it may reply "No Mexican food found."
Either that or it will shut down your car and lock the doors, trapping you inside. Simultaneously, the system will call 911 and report your precise position while squawking 7500, which is the transponder code for a hijack in progress. In such event do not panic. Remain calm and await further instructions. I strongly suggest obeying same.
Press the telephone button.....The OnStar system will reply “OnStar Ready”
Say "Store".....The OnStar system will reply “Please say the entire phone number to store”
Say the entire number without pausing.....The OnStar system will repeat the number, and ask “Yes” or “No”
Say “Yes” (or “No” to try again).....The OnStar system will reply “Nametag, please”
Say “<home>.”.....The OnStar system will reply “About to store <home>. Does that sound Ok?”
Say “Yes” (or “No” to try again).....The OnStar system will reply “Ok storing <home>”
Note: <home> can be any label you want. The name of a person or a place of business for example.
How to place a call using a stored nametag:
Press the telephone button. The OnStar system will reply “OnStar Ready”
Say “Call” The OnStar system will reply “Please say the nametag”
Say the nametag you wish to dial. The OnStar system will reply “Ok, calling <nametag>”
Oh, and the voice command for Thai food can be either "Thai Restaurant" or "Thai Food". At which time it may reply "No Mexican food found."
Either that or it will shut down your car and lock the doors, trapping you inside. Simultaneously, the system will call 911 and report your precise position while squawking 7500, which is the transponder code for a hijack in progress. In such event do not panic. Remain calm and await further instructions. I strongly suggest obeying same.
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