| Q1. | What number do I call if I need assistance? |
| A1. | If you are in your vehicle, push the blue OnStar button. Or you can call us toll free at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer care hours are 6 a.m.-1 a.m. EST, Monday-Friday. |
| Q2. | I am an OnStar subscriber but am not sure of OnStar's capabilities. How do I learn more about it? |
| A2. | Simply push the blue OnStar button. Your Advisor will explain the system capabilities to you. Or just refer to the OnStar Owner's Guide. |
| Q3. | Is there a limit to the number of times I can contact OnStar? |
| A3. | No. You may contact the OnStar center as often as needed. |
| Q4. | Why am I not able to connect to OnStar? |
| A4. | If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to OnStar, contact us at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). Customer care hours are 6 a.m.-1 a.m. EST, Monday-Friday. |
| Q5. | Am I using OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes when I call an OnStar Advisor from my vehicle? |
| A5. | No. You only use your minutes when you push the white-dot or phone button to make or receive calls in your vehicle. |
| Q6. | Can the OnStar Call Center unlock a vehicle if its battery is dead? |
| A6. | No. If the vehicle battery is dead, the OnStar cellular connection cannot be used to unlock the door. However, the OnStar Call Center can contact a locksmith or other service provider as required. Refer to the OnStar Owner's Guide for details. |
| Q7. | Is OnStar better than a handheld cell phone? |
| A7. | Yes, OnStar has an improved reception because your antenna is generally mounted outside and up high on your vehicle. Your antenna is away from the metal and glass that can interfere with cellular signals. |
| Q8. | Can I add a phone to my current system? |
| A8. | Not at this time. |
Analog phone service is required for the older OnStar phone-based handset system.
| Q1. | What is OnStar Hands-Free Calling?* |
| A1. | With an OnStar subscription, you have access to hands-free, voice-activated, wireless calling in your vehicle, just in case your hand-held cell phone is lost, forgotten or has a low battery. You can prepurchase OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes to use on the road. The package is billed to a credit card you keep on file with OnStar. You can order minutes packages by pushing the white-dot or phone button at any time.
*OnStar Hands-Free-Calling-enabled vehicle, existing OnStar service contract, and prepaid calling minutes are required. Available in most markets. OnStar voice recognition system may not work with some voices. |
| Q2. | Can I combine my cell phone service with OnStar Hands-Free Voice-Activated Calling? |
| A2. | Not at this time. |
| Q3. | Do I need to be an OnStar subscriber to have access to Hands-Free Calling? |
| A3. | Yes, OnStar Hands-Free Calling is only available to OnStar subscribers. You must subscribe to the Safe & Sound Plan, the Directions & Connections Plan, or the Luxury & Leisure Plan. |
| Q4. | Do all vehicles have Hands-Free Calling? |
| A4. | Most 2001 and newer model-year OnStar-equipped vehicles provide access to Hands-Free Calling. Please see your dealer or click here for make and model specifications. |
| Q5. | How do the 30 trial OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes work? |
| A5. | OnStar offers 30 complimentary OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes on new OnStar-equipped vehicles so you can get comfortable with the system. There are no additional commitments. For your convenience, the system will notify you when 10 minutes of use are remaining, so you will have ample time to purchase more minutes. Remember that these 30 minutes are only available during the first 2 months of service. |
| Q6. | Do I need to purchase extra cellular equipment? |
| A6. | No. Hands-Free, Voice-Activated Calling uses the OnStar three-button system and embedded wireless equipment in the vehicle. |
| Q7. | How will I be billed for OnStar Hands-Free Calling? |
| A7. | OnStar Hands-Free Calling is an advance payment program, so all you need to do is select a package of calling minutes and pay for them in advance with a credit card. The charge for your minutes will then appear on your credit card bill. Please note that any minutes not used before the expiration date will be forfeited. |
| Q8. | What is my in-vehicle phone number? |
| A8. | To get your OnStar Hands-Free Calling phone number, simply push the white-dot or phone button and when the system says "OnStar Ready," say "My Number."
NOTE: A small group of OnStar members may be unable to retrieve their phone numbers in this way. If your vehicle is affected, your system will state a number that does not allow people to dial into your vehicle. Despite this, your Hands-Free Voice-Activated Calling system is fully functional. To learn more about this issue, click here.
If you cannot retrieve your number by pushing the white-dot or phone button, please use one of these options:1. Push the blue OnStar button to speak with an Advisor. 2. Dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and provide your OnStar account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Advisor. |
| Q9. | Why don't some of the voice commands listed on your site work in my vehicle? |
| A9. | Beginning with select 2004 models, OnStar started using dual-mode analog/digital technology. This new integration changes some of the voice recognition commands to make it easier for you to operate. The most noticeable difference occurs when you dial a number using Hands-Free Calling. You can now say the entire number all at once rather than one digit at a time. This means that you'll be able to relay numbers in "strings" that OnStar can recognize, such as: - Three digits like "911"
- Seven digits
- Ten digits
- Ten digits preceded by the number 1
Here are some of the commands that have changed: |
| "Pound" | "Pound Key" | | "Star" | "Star Key" | | "Store" | "Store"
"Digit Store*" | | "Security" | "Security Code" | | "Memo Record" | "Advisor Playback" | | "Dial" | "Dial"
"Digit Dial*" |
Please consult the OnStar Owner's Guide that came with your vehicle for all the commands needed to operate your OnStar system. *Used with discrete-digit dialing. Discrete-digit dialing means that the system recognizes one number at a time. So, to dial a number, you say "one" and the system says "one"; you say "two" and the system says "two," and so on. Continuous-digit dialing means that you can say the number all at once with no pauses; for example, "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0." |
| Q10. | What is a PIN and what is it used for? |
| A10. | All OnStar subscribers either choose or are assigned a personal identification number (PIN). This important identifier is necessary to access many of OnStar's services, such as Remote Door Unlock. For instance, if you're locked out of your vehicle or your vehicle has been stolen, you will need your PIN for an Advisor to provide assistance. |
| Q11. | What do I do if I don't know, forget, or want to change my PIN? |
| A11. | No problem. Simply push your blue OnStar button or call OnStar at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) to reset your PIN. |
| Q12. | Do I need a cellular phone to operate the three-button system? |
| A12. | No. To enjoy the benefits of OnStar, all you need to do is purchase a subscription and activate your service. |
| Q13. | Where is the three-button system installed in my vehicle? |
| A13. | In most vehicles, the three-button system is built into the rearview mirror. In other vehicles, the buttons will be within the overhead console, in the headliner, or on the instrument panel. |
This is the first place to find answers to the most common questions asked about OnStar. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us or call us directly at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). Or if you are an OnStar subscriber, push the blue OnStar button in your vehicle.
Back to top