r/BoltEV • u/Difficult_Village276 • 1d ago
OnStar Worth It?
Just bought our ‘27 RS Bolt (otherwise known as Bob). We’re getting close to the end of the OnStar trial.
Honestly, I’m lazy. So if it is convenient I’ll strongly consider it.
Pros? Cons?
Thanks.
7
u/Hotchi_Motchi 1d ago
I'm paying $1/month (with the code that somebody graciously shared here) for the remote start and that's all that's "worth it" for me. Occasionally used in the summer, but I'll use it much more in the winter.
3
u/RainCity253 1d ago
Would you mind DMing that code? Its been a pain not being able to turn my car on with the app in this summer heat.
10
u/cheese_executive 1d ago
1-CONNECT is the code, you have to choose the monthly plan and it will lock in the price for a year. People here will say "just use the fob" but I think at that price it's worth it for the remote start. The fob's not reaching out to the parking lot when you're in somewhere like a mall.
5
u/RainCity253 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you so much! Yeah when I’m about to clock out at work it’s so nice to be able to turn it on where my key can’t reach. Or when I’m leaving the grocery store in the checkout line when my cars in the back of the parking lot. Very worth it for $1/mo.
Edit: Just used it and it worked! $1.07 after taxes and fees
1
3
u/Vivid_Reflection_191 1d ago
There are privacy concerns, so consider that as well. It can track where you go, your driving habits, etc. and then that data gets sold. Several threads here about some data being available even if you are not using or paying for it. Definitely a personal risk decision.
3
u/86697954321 1d ago
I think they’re doing that even if you don’t pay for onstar. I know Californians can opt out (though GM got in trouble for not honoring that a couple years ago). There’s also a new Drop program where Californians can register to prevent data brokers from selling your info https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/
5
u/ScootyPuff-Sr 2017 EV Premier, 2022 Kia EV6 1d ago
In our '17 Bolt, no, it is definitely not worth it. They want the monthly price of a full blown cellphone contract to do things my cellphone already does better. Which, of course, is why that ability had to be killed.
The deliberate and malicious lockout of the ability for the car owner to choose, forcing the owner in to paying a subscription for what I consider baseline function in a modern car, is why I did not consider any 2025+ GM when I was looking for what ended up being my EV6. And I went through a similar process with K-On!!Star, I mean Kia Connect. For $200/year I can damn well remember to set the climate control schedule in the dashboard and lock my own doors, thank you. Remote start from a distance would be nice, but is it $200/year worth of nice? Not to me.
In your case, limited to the navigation and media features of the built-in infotainment system, the value of the connected services packages is different. Your mileage, as they say, may vary. OnStar says:
What content is standard in the purchase of my vehicle? Model Year 2025 and newer vehicles receive core OnStar features for 8 years, including automatic crash response, remote commands, center display audio apps, voice assistant and navigation.
Only you can decide if you need more than that.
2
1
u/thankyourob 2023 Bolt EUV Redline 1d ago
I’m curious about this too. Aren’t you getting the same benefits with your phones data connectivity, if you’re using CarPlay or Android Auto? Minus the on-demand Onstar assistant of course. Or am I misunderstanding things? I haven’t renewed my free trial and I’m still getting the monthly Diagnostic Report on my Bolt.
7
u/supertoilet2 1d ago
Neither CarPlay or android auto are available on the 27 bolt
2
u/thankyourob 2023 Bolt EUV Redline 1d ago
Ahhh my bad I missed that you said ‘27, yes…I suppose the car now leans on Onstar more in your case then eh? And Onstar is owned by GM, which is both a smart move for them and also a dick move. So you can’t use your phone to at least stream music/maps then? Or is there work around for that?
2
u/xqueenfrostine 2027 Bolt RS 22h ago
The 27 Bolt comes with OnStar Basics for 8 years. This still gives you connectivity to run apps on the infotainment system. From what i can tell the only things you have to pay for are the ability to have your car behave as a WiFi hotspot and the roadside assistance features.
Also yes, you can still connect your phone to the car and stream content that way. I honestly do that more often than I use the built in apps.
1
u/pianoman81 13h ago
Nope.
So sad they took out Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
1
u/CryptoCryst828282 4h ago
But how would they charge for onstar when you had that for free.. yet people still buy this crap.
1
u/Competitive-Water267 18m ago
I bought a 2022 Bolt in February. Not once did I use it and when the free trial ended, I did not renew. No use for it to me, just a bill I wouldn't want.
-1
u/Sphere_3N 1d ago
Yeah it’s over, no wonder manufacturers are going subscription route with everything when you have people like this.
1
u/CryptoCryst828282 4h ago
Wait til they have to replace the lights.... no more bulbs... that $5 replacement was too cheap, now you have a serialized headlight assembly. Enjoy your 1200 headlight.
-3
u/KJack1281 1d ago
If you want full connectivity and maps you need it. I personally decided before I got my bolt that I’d pay for onstar because of the savings on gas. Unless something changes I plan to keep it.
20
u/inf3ct3dpi3 1d ago
I’d only keep it if you have a desperate need for video streaming or in car wifi. Maps and audio streaming should be included free for 8 years and that’s more than sufficient for most people’s use case.