| Q1. | What is OnStar Hands-Free Calling? |
| A1. | OnStar Hands-Free Calling is a voice-activated calling system built into the vehicle hardware. It allows users to make and receive hands-free calls at the touch of a single button. You can use your Hands-Free Calling service by purchasing prepaid minutes from OnStar. You may purchase prepaid minutes online now. Push the blue OnStar button in your vehicle, or call 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). OnStar Hands-Free Calling requires a Hands-Free Calling-enabled vehicle, and existing OnStar service contract. Not available in certain markets. Calls may be made to the U.S. and Canada only. |
| Q2. | How can I verify the number of minutes I have remaining? |
| A2. | Simply push the phone or white-dot button. When OnStar responds with "OnStar ready," say "Minutes." When OnStar responds with "Please say verify or add," say "Verify." The system will then respond with the number of minutes remaining on your account. |
| Q3. | In what cases am I using my Hands-Free Calling minutes? |
| A3. | Hands-Free calling minutes will be deducted from your total anytime you:- Place outgoing phone calls via the phone or white-dot button
- Receive incoming phone calls via the phone or white-dot button
- Access the Virtual Advisor via the phone or white-dot button
NOTE: BLUE BUTTON AND EMERGENCY BUTTON PUSHES DO NOT UTILIZE HANDS-FREE CALLING MINUTES |
| Q4. | Can I roll my minutes over to a new package or a new vehicle? |
| A4. | When you purchase any Hands-Free Calling Prepaid Minute Package, we will roll over your current unused minutes, making all your minutes good for a full year or until your subscription ends, at no extra cost. You may also be eligible to roll over your current unused minutes to your new vehicle. Just push your blue OnStar button or call 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) for more information. |
| Q5. | Can I download instructions on how to make and receive calls with Hands-Free Calling? |
| A5. | Yes. You can easily find your Hands-Free Calling Quick Reference Card on our Downloadable Guides page. Simply download and print it to learn the key commands for interacting with Hands-Free Calling. For future reference, there is a Hands-Free Calling Quick Reference Card within your OnStar Owner's Manual located in your vehicle's glove box. |
| Q6. | Do you have any helpful tips for dialing and voice recognition when using Hands-Free Calling? |
| A6. | Yes. In general, to have the best possible interaction when using the Hands-Free Calling feature, please consider the following:- Begin in the driver position - the optimal position for making and placing calls.
- Ensure that the background is quiet. This includes turning down fans, rolling up windows, and limiting other conversations in the vehicle.
- Speak in your normal voice volume. Do not shout.
- Reduce OnStar volume using either the radio knob or the steering wheel control
On occasion, it may be necessary to emphasize certain sounds when dialing. Because everyone's voice is unique, using different voice techniques will help the system to work for you. The following numbers may require emphasis when dialing these digits:
"0"
- If the system does not understand "zero", try "oh" and vice versa
- Try saying "oh" slower or faster
- On zero, emphasize "r" sound
"1"
- Emphasize the "n" sound at the end of the word
"2"
- Say the digit softer
- Emphasize the "t" sound at the beginning
The following tips may be helpful when using these commands:
"Dial"
- Emphasize the "l" sound to reduce confusion with the word call
"Call"
- Emphasize the hard "k" sound
"Store"
- When storing a number with a Nametag, use two words or two syllable words rather than one. For example "My Home" instead of "Home"
If you are still having difficulty after trying the tips provided, simply dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). It is helpful if you have another cellular or cordless phone available so that the OnStar Advisor can use that line to listen while you interact with the system. |
| Q7. | When I attempt to use Hands-Free Calling, the system does not respond - instead it just beeps. What do I need to do? |
| A7. | The system may have inadvertently shut off the Voice Feedback setting that provides a voice response to your commands. Your system is still operational. The next time you are in your vehicle and it is running, push your phone or white-dot button, and after the system beeps, say "Voice Feedback." The system should respond "Voice Feedback on" and then "Ready." You will then receive verification from the system as you use it to place calls. If you still encounter difficulties with this or any other Voice Recognition issue, please push the OnStar button or call us at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) for further assistance. |
| Q8. | How do I answer and end calls using OnStar Hands-Free Calling? |
| A8. | When you are receiving a call in your vehicle, you will hear ringing and the Green System Status light located by your OnStar buttons will be flashing. Simply press the 'Phone Button' or the 'White Dot Button' to answer the call. Press it again to end the call when it is complete. |
| Q9. | What is my in-vehicle Hands-Free Calling number? |
| A9. | To get your OnStar Hands-Free Calling number, simply push the white-dot or phone button in your vehicle and when the system says "OnStar Ready," say "My Number." If you are unable to retrieve your number by pushing the white-dot or phone button, please use one of these options: - Push the blue OnStar button to speak with an Advisor.
- Dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and provide your OnStar account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Advisor.
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| Q10. | How do I change my vehicle Hands-Free Calling number? |
| A10. | It is OnStar's policy to attempt to provide you a number with an area code that matches your home telephone number. If you do not receive a number that matches your home area code, your home area code changes, or you are having issues with unwanted phone calls, please contact us so an OnStar advisor can assist you in obtaining a new phone number. Simply push the blue OnStar button to speak with an Advisor or dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and provide your OnStar account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Advisor to initiate the request. |
| Q11. | What is the difference between my Hands-Free Calling expiration date and my OnStar subscription expiration date? |
| A11. | Your OnStar subscription end date refers to the date when your OnStar subscription is up for renewal. Your Hand-Free Calling minutes may have a different expiration date related to the date the minutes were purchased. Purchased minutes are good for one full year or until your OnStar subscription ends. To check the expiration date of your Hands-Free Calling minutes: - Push the white-dot button or phone button.
- Say "Units" then "Verify." You will hear the expiration date of any unused minutes.
Note: You must have an active subscription to use your Hands-Free Calling minutes. If your OnStar subscription expires, any unused calling minutes will be lost. |
| Q12. | Do I need to be an OnStar subscriber to have access to Hands-Free Calling? |
| A12. | Yes, OnStar Hands-Free is only available to OnStar subscribers. You must subscribe to the Safe & Sound Plan, the Directions & Connections Plan, or the Luxury & Leisure Plan. |
| Q13. | Do all vehicles have Hands-Free Calling? |
| A13. | 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. |
| Q14. | How does the introductory gift of 30 trial OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes work? |
| A14. | 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. |
| Q15. | Do I need to purchase extra cellular equipment? |
| A15. | No. Hands-Free Calling uses the OnStar three-button system and embedded wireless equipment in the vehicle. |
| Q16. | I have a three-button system but some of the voice commands listed on your site are not working in my vehicle. What could be the problem? |
| A16. | Beginning with select 2004 models, OnStar now uses 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 manual 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." |
Analog phone service is required for the older OnStar phone-based handset system.
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.
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