Has anyone used this new system? It doesn't do all the things that the original GM system does but it looks promising.

 

Promising for what? I bet 99% of GM owners with OnStar don't use it. Unless you lock your keys in your car, they really don't serve much purpose. In the age of cell phone users, it's just as quick to call AAA if you need a tire changed than it is to call OnStar.

 

Or you could just change the tire yourself... Can save a bunch of money that way...

 

Oh, I agree. I was speaking more towards what someone with OnStar would be needing assistance for. I do my own tire changing.

OnStar just calls a towing service, AAA, etc for you. Well with cell phones, you can just call them yourself and save the OnStar subscription fee. Also, many Ford vehicles are still equipped with the numeric keypads on the outside (my truck is), so locking your keys inside shouldn't pose much of a dilemma. Also, with the gaining popularity of smart keys (i.e. push button start, proximity sensors) you can't lock the keys in the car anyway.

OnStar is for 60+ yr-olds and high-maintenance women who refuse to learn how or do not have the physical ability to handle minor roadside emergencies.

 

Thanks for the sensitive response SoonerTruck. I'm 71 years old and have changed more tires and taken care of more roadside emergencies than you will ever see. I worked as an EMT for years and my job would have been easier and less people would have died if we had gotten to accident and medical emergency victims sooner. OnStarFMV automatically gets help if the air bags deploy or the vehicle rolls. You get an instant person response with the push of a button and it employs GPS technology to instantly locate your vehicle in an emergency or if it gets stolen. It also has hands free cell phone capability.

No I do not sell OnStarFMV.

So has anyone used OnStarFMV? If so what's your feedback?

I'm interested in informed opinions based upon experience with the system.

Thanks

 

Most of the newer FMV already have hands-free bluetooth with their radios. Again, I'm not saying it doesn't have its uses, just that most of the things OnStar lists as features, are items that Ford (and many other car companies) offer in one form or another that negate the need for it. Really, the only benefit I can see is that it automatically calls them up in the event of a crash. If you are worried about being incapacitated or fatally injured during a car wreck, by all means get OnStar as an insurance policy. Otherwise, I just don't see the need for it on most well-equipped modern vehicles. For the record, my parents have had OnStar in two of their vehicles (Grand Prix and a G8), but have not needed to use it for anything.

Also, a side note: unless you activate the OnStar account (meaning use it once) they CANNOT track the vehicle with the GPS system. Meaning, if your car were to get stolen, they can't track the vehicle unless you have previously activated the account with them. Just a bit of info.

 

I would have to agree. As I am part of the local Fire Dept and I have seen many bad accidents around here. Not much for talking on the phone while driving, and have been running a tire service truck for years on the side of the FD. However, that would be the only function I would use it for.
Always makes you think, what would have happened if you could have been there in the first moments of the accident.

Yes, you have to activate the account. But the GPS is active as soon as the account it activated. You can't activate the account for a previous accident.
(ran a call where a lady locked her 7 month old and keys into the car. Just happened to hit the remote start before hand to keep the truck running[10 min window]. Capt. called OnStar identified him self, with a badge number. Asked to unlock or roll down the window, and they wouldn't do it. Because she didn't have an account with them... Long story short we had to break a window on her 2010 Escalade.)