OnStar 17572 R17 User Manual

Welcome to OnStar.

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Welcome.

Congratulations on your purchase of an OnStar-equipped vehicle!
With OnStar, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing
you’re doing all you can to keep you, your family, and your vehicle safe.

This guide will assist you in becoming familiar with all the services OnStar
provides, so keep it in your vehicle for future reference. If you need
further assistance, press the blue OnStar button to speak with a
specially trained OnStar Advisor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Thank you for choosing an OnStar-equipped vehicle!

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THE BLUE BUTTON

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Table of Contents

THE EMERGENCY BUTTON

THE PHONE BUTTON

GENERAL

INFORMATION

System Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ■

What services you get

with the Safe & Sound Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

with the Directions & Connections Plan . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

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OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19

Emergency Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-23

Hands-Free Calling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-37

Voice recognition troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Virtual Advisor (traffi c, weather & stocks) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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OnStar.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Renewing your subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Potential Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-43

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-45

Owner Guides are available in Spanish and French languages. Visit
www.onstar.com. Your vehicle can be programmed to respond in French
or Spanish language, just push the OnStar button and ask an Advisor.
OnStar Advisors can speak French or Spanish as well.

You can also learn how OnStar works by listening to the enclosed audio
CD. You’ll hear live examples about how to make calls, store phone
numbers and how your OnStar Turn-byTurn Navigation system works.

OnStar Owner’s Guide

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It begins with the blue button.

Push this button now and you’ll be connected to a specially trained
OnStar Advisor who can verify all of your account information and
can answer any questions you may have.

• Most new OnStar-equipped vehicles come with a one-year
subscription to the Safe & Sound Plan. There’s no cost to talk
to a knowledgeable OnStar Advisor, it’s all a part of your

OnStar service.

• If your vehicle comes with the one-year Directions & Connections
Plan, or if you choose to upgrade to this service plan, an Advisor
can give you driving directions, fi nd businesses or restaurants,
assist in making reservations, and provide many other
convenience services.

Push the blue button now to get your welcome call.

Red Emergency Button

In an emergency, push this button to get help from specially
trained OnStar Emergency Advisors.

• If you are having an emergency in your vehicle.

• If you or someone travelling with you has an emergency outside
of your vehicle.

• If you are in an accident where the airbags do not deploy.

• To be a Good Samaritan.

• To respond to an AMBER Alert situation.

Black Phone Button

We’ve made staying in touch on the road safer with Hands-Free,
voice-activated calling* that’s built right into your vehicle.

• Use this button to begin or end an outgoing phone call.

• To answer an incoming phone call.

• To give OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation voice commands.

• To access Virtual Advisor for location based traffi c, weather
and stock reports.

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System Status

To the right of the OnStar buttons is a System Status light. Your vehicle runs
an OnStar systems check every time you start up. This light is designed to
indicate to you that your OnStar system is active and ready to make calls. On
vehicles with an automatic dimming rearview mirror, the green light on the
left side of the button indicates that the automatic dimming function is on.

Solid Green - indicates the OnStar system is fully functional
and ready to make or receive calls.

Flashing Green - when you are on a phone call or when
someone is calling you, the green light will fl ash.

Red - indicates that your OnStar system has detected a
problem within the system. Push your OnStar button
and ask your OnStar Advisor to run a diagnostic check. If you
cannot connect to OnStar please visit a dealer for service
as soon as possible.

No Light - this indicates that your OnStar subscription is not
active or has expired. All services have been deactivated and
are not functional. Push the blue OnStar button and wait until
your system connects to an Advisor who can renew your
subscription. See page 38 for Subscription information.

* OnStar Hands-Free Calling requires a Hands-Free enabled vehicle, existing OnStar service
contract and prepaid minutes or enrollment in a shared minutes plan. Not available in certain
markets. Calls may be made to the US and Canada only. See “Additional Information”
section on pages 38-43 for system limitations and details.

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To fi nd out what OnStar can do for

you, just push the blue button.

Most new vehicles come with one year of OnStar service, available

24/7. There are two levels of service – the Safe & Sound Plan and

the Directions & Connections Plan. Both plans come with all the

Emergency services, Safe & Sound services and the Hand-Free Calling

feature. The uplevel Directions & Connections Plan adds driving

directions and several connection services. An OnStar Advisor can

tell you the plan that came with your vehicle, or can tell you how to

upgrade your service – just push the blue button!

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The Blue OnStar Button

The Safe & Sound Plan

(Includes a link to all of the Emergency Services, plus the following services)

Roadside Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

– GM Goodwrench On Demand Diagnostics

Remote Door Unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Remote Horn and Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Advisor Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Directions & Connections Plan

(Includes all Safe & Sound services, plus the following services)

Directions

Driving Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Connections

Information Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Number Download . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RideAssist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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The Safe & Sound Plan includes:

Roadside Assistance

No one wants to get stuck on the road with vehicle trouble, but if you do,
OnStar can help.

• Flat tire?

• Out of gas?

• Need a tow?

Just push the blue button . Because your vehicle sends your location
to OnStar, helpful Advisors can direct Roadside Services to your exact loca­tion to get help to you quickly.

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics*

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is an OnStar service that can automatically run
a diagnostic check on certain key operating systems and then send you
monthly reports by e-mail.

After you sign up, your vehicle
can automatically transmit data to
OnStar, about every 30 days. Then
you get a simple e-mail report telling
you the status of your engine, air bag
system, antilock brake system, and
your OnStar system, as well as your
remaining engine oil life and current
odometer mileage. The report also
includes scheduled maintenance
alerts, the status of your OnStar
subscription, plus the number and
expiration date of your OnStar Hands­Free Calling minutes. Your monthly
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail

*Available on 2004 MY & newer GM models delivered after 4-21-04 and equipped with
the GM Oil Life System. Diagnostics not available on Pontiac Vibe. Diagnostic services
vary on Cadillac SRX V8, Saturn VUE, Ion and L-Series, Chevy Silverado diesel and GMC
Sierra diesel. For details, call 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827).

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gives you a convenient method to get important information about
your car or truck to help you keep it ready for the road.

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is available on most new GM vehicles
and is included with your OnStar subscription at no extra charge. All
you need to do is push your OnStar button, or sign up online with
your e-mail address at onstar.com.

GM Goodwrench On Demand Diagnostics

While OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics can check your vehicle automatically
every month, you can also request a remote diagnostic check on-demand by
pushing the blue button . If your “Check Engine” light comes on, an
OnStar Advisor can tell you whether or not the problem requires immediate
attention. If it does, OnStar can help you fi nd a dealership near your current
location, give you directions to get there, and can call the dealership to help
get you back on the road. So wherever you drive, whenever you might have
a concern about your vehicle, you have the peace of mind of knowing an
OnStar Advisor and thousands of GM dealers are ready to assist you.

Remote Door Unlock*

You locked your keys in the car. It happens to everybody at one time or
another. OnStar can get you back into your vehicle quickly. Just call OnStar at

1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and an Advisor can send a signal to unlock
your door. In order for this feature to work, your
vehicle must be equipped with power door locks.

Stolen Vehicle Location
Assistance*

OnStar doesn’t just help protect you, it helps
protect your vehicle too. If your vehicle is stolen,
call law enforcement immediately and then call
OnStar at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). Or
call OnStar fi rst and an Advisor can conference you in with law enforcement
so that you can fi le a stolen vehicle report. An Advisor will work with authorities
to attempt to locate your vehicle and report its location to the police.

*Stolen vehicle location assistance and remote door unlock success varies
with conditions. Remote Door Unlock not available on Pontiac Vibe.

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The Safe & Sound Plan includes:

Fuel Station Location

You’re on a long trip, you weren’t watching the fuel gauge, and the “LOW
FUEL” light just came on. Where’s the next station? How far away is it?

Should you turn around? Don’t panic, it happens to everyone, and you’ve got
OnStar onboard. A helpful Advisor can locate the nearest gas station or diesel
fuel station, and all the E85 Ethanol stations in the U.S. and Canada. And they
can give you exact driving directions to get there. If your vehicle has Turn-by­Turn Navigation capability, the Advisors can send you a planned route.
Relax and push the blue button , we’ll be happy to help you.

OnStar Subscriber Window Stickers

Having OnStar can even be a theft deterrent.
You’ll fi nd two small OnStar stickers in your
OnStar Subscriber Information kit in your
glove box. Place one on the lower portion of
your side windows to warn potential thieves
and, if you do lock your keys in your vehicle,
the OnStar phone number will be right there
in front of you so you won’t have to search
for it. You should also talk to your insurance
company; many offer discounts to owners of
OnStar-equipped vehicles with active subscriptions.

Remote Horn and Lights

Have you ever forgotten where you parked? Is there someone suspicious
hanging around your car?

• Call OnStar, we can send a message to sound your vehicle’s horn.

• Need to be more discreet? Ok, OnStar can just fl ash your vehicle’s lights.

• Or, pull out all the stops and OnStar can sound the horn and fl ash
the lights.

24 hours a day, you can call an OnStar Advisor at 1.888.4.ONSTAR
(1.888.466.7827) and ask for this service.

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Recording Driving Directions - Advisor Playback

What was that again? Your OnStar system is equipped with an
Advisor playback recorder to store information given to you during
a call with an OnStar Advisor, like driving directions or Hands-Free
Calling instructions. You can play back the stored audio information at a
later time.

TO RECORD:

1. While you’re on the call, push the blue OnStar button .
You will hear the system beep (starts recording).

2. To stop recording, push the blue OnStar button again.
You will hear the system beep again (ends recording).

Note: Start of recording may be delayed up to fi ve seconds to clear any
previous recorded information. Recording starts immediately after the
last beep. Your voice and the Advisor’s voice will be recorded.

TO RECALL STORED INFORMATION:

1. Push the phone button . When OnStar responds with
“OnStar ready,” say “Advisor playback.”

2. Your recorded information plays back.

3. Push the phone button again to stop the playback (if you need
to pause).

4. To continue your paused playback, push the phone button again
and say “Advisor playback.” OnStar responds with “Please

say play, or resume.”

5. Say “Resume” to continue playback from where it was
previously stopped or “Play” to start at the beginning.

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The Directions & Connections Plan
includes:

Directions

The Directions & Connections Plan gives you all the services included in the
Safe & Sound Plan, plus Driving Directions, Information Services and Ride
Assist. If you have the Safe & Sound Plan, you can easily upgrade to Direc­tions & Connections for an additional cost. Your OnStar Advisor has instant
access to names, phone numbers, and addresses for millions of businesses,
and will assist you with the following:

Driving Directions

From OnStar Advisors:

Helpful OnStar Advisors can give you directions verbally. Just tell them your
destination, or ask them to fi nd the destination for you. They’ll tell you each
turn you need to make, how many miles to take each road and how far it is
to your destination. If you can’t remember all the turns, you can easily record
the directions and play them back. Refer to the previous paragraph on
Advisor Playback, or your Advisor can tell you how to do this.

Using OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

If your vehicle is properly equipped, the OnStar Advisors can deliver a
planned route to your vehicle with a system called OnStar Turn-by-Turn
Navigation.* As you drive, this system automatically knows each turn you
need to make, tells you when the next road to turn on is coming up, and can
correct your route if you miss a turn. You’ll be amazed. Refer to page 12 for
the details on how OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation works.

* Anti-lock braking system required. Only available to subscribers residing in and initiating
updating route while traveling through OnStar’s contracted carriers enhanced service
capable areas. Not currently available in Alaska. Road, environmental and tire condi­tions that affect ABS or GPS may degrade service. See onstar.com or call 1.888.4.ONSTAR
(1.888.466.7827) for details.

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Connections

Information/Convenience Services

You have the ready assistance of Advisors, who can access more than eight
million service listings, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, dealerships,
hospitals, ATMs, and airports – more than 250 service categories in all. Our
Advisors can even assist you with reservations.

If you get low on gas in the middle of nowhere, just push the blue button and
ask an Advisor for help. Looking for a fi ve-star restaurant on the Miracle Mile
in Chicago? No problem. A veterinarian that’s open 24 hours in Dubuque? We
can fi nd one. While anybody can make a call to an Information operator to fi nd
a business for you, a call to an OnStar Advisor allows them to fi nd a business
that’s closest to your current location. You won’t waste time driving out of your
way, because the Advisor can fi nd a location for you that’s in the direction of
where you’re going. If you need them to, the Advisor can give you directions
on how to get there.

Number Download

If you had an Advisor locate a business or other point of interest and you
would like to call the business, just ask the Advisor to download the phone
number into your vehicle’s OnStar system.

1. When you end your call with the Advisor, push the phone button.
After the “OnStar Ready” prompt, say “Number recall.”

2. The downloaded phone number will automatically dial for you.

3. You’ll be using minutes. See page 39 for information on
purchasing Hands-Free Calling minutes.

RideAssist

If you need a lift, any time of the day or night, just call OnStar. By pushing
the blue button, or dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). We’ll contact
available transportation providers and send them to you.

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OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation:
Getting Your Planned Route

Push the blue button to connect to an OnStar Advisor. Tell the Advisor
the state, city, address, or the name of your desired destination, or, you can
have the Advisor fi nd it for you. If you would like to avoid traveling on high­ways or toll roads, be sure to tell the Advisor and they’ll create a planned
route that will attempt to avoid those types of roads. Keep in mind that
planned routes usually use main roads and may not take into account traffi c
congestion or new road construction projects.

Here’s how it works. The OnStar Advisor will create a planned route and
send it to your vehicle. The instructions begin by playing three initial messages,
similar to:

• “Directions are now being sent to your vehicle.”

• “Your destination is 10 miles away.”

• “Start out by going north on Main Street.”

If you don’t know which way north is, don’t worry, just start driving. Your
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system can identify where you are and knows
where you should be. Within a few seconds, if you’re not going north on Main
Street the system will recognize this and give you turn instructions to get you
going in the right direction. The system continually checks your position on the
planned route the Advisor sent to make sure you’re always going the right way.

Note: Once your planned route has been sent, if you’re curious to know
what roads you’ll be taking, you can press the phone button and give the
“route preview” command. The system tries to create the simplest driving
route to get you to your destination. See page 17 for all the voice commands
you can use.

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Turn Instructions

The OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system can guide you through each turn
or driving maneuver you need to make to get to your destination. In most
cases you’ll get up to three messages about upcoming turns. It doesn’t matter
if your radio is on or not, the turn instructions will play through the vehicle
speakers. You can control the message volume using the radio volume
control – only when the Turn-by-Turn Navigation messages are playing.

1. Your directions will announce the upcoming turn.

2. When you get close to the turn a second message plays.

3. When you get within a half or quarter mile from the turn the last
message plays.

4. As a fi nal reminder, a turn tone plays when you are at the turn.

If your route has several consecutive turns that occur quickly, you may only
get one turn message. As you continue to drive, whenever you approach an
upcoming turn, the messages will sound something like, “In a half-mile
turn right onto Miller Road.” As you get close to the turn you’ll hear a
second message similar to, “Turn right onto Miller Road.” Then when
you’re at the turn you need to make, you’ll hear a fi nal turn-tone to alert you
one last time.

Note: Not every route will take you to your exact destination. In some cases
the directions may only take you in close proximity to the address. You may
have to visually locate your desired destination. If this happens, you can push
the OnStar button and ask an Advisor to help you fi nd the exact location.

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