OnStar Doesn't Get Reception?

[Mightygrasshopper]

Ok, thought i'd take a mini road trip down to Seattle/Bellevue, WA and so far, ONSTAR has been a real let down. It can't send me directions at all to anywhere because the coverage is weak...apparently.

I mean, this is ONSTAR!! i thought it would be able to hook me up in downtown seattle..couldn't even do that.

Seen about 3 camaros so far in the area..but still getting some attention from people at lots..maybe it helps that i've got BC plates on her US customs gave me props too! This car's been a lot of fun during the drive, love that I can change the units to US as well, comes in very handy.

Anyone familiar with these coverage issues with Onstar?? at this rate, i might as well give up onstar once the year's up and just get a Garmin Navi..

[slick rick]

Q6. Is OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation available everywhere?

A6. Because OnStar's Turn-by-Turn Navigation service relies on Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless data coverage and agreements with carriers to provide this service, Turn-by-Turn routing is only available to customers residing in and initiating or updating a route while traveling through OnStar's contracted carriers' enhanced service capable areas. This covers approximately 98 percent of the U.S. population, and approximately 80 percent of the population in Canada.

Q7. What if I'm in an area where OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation is not available?

A7. Live OnStar Advisors are available via a blue button push to provide assistance with Driving Directions should the Directions & Connections subscriber be traveling in an area where OnStar Turn-by-Turn routing is not available.

I guess you're in the 2% area.

[slick rick]

From the website

Important Information about OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation and this Coverage Map

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation Information

* OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation works using wireless phone networks in the continental United States, Hawaii and Canada, as well as the Global Positioning System ("GPS") satellite network. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation is not available everywhere, particularly in enclosed or remote areas. OnStar services available to you, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation, may vary by the location where your OnStar subscription was/is established or the location of your vehicle when requesting OnStar services.
* As illustrated by this map, OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation works where your vehicle is in a place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless service provider for data and voice services in that area. GPS satellite signals must also be unobstructed and available in that location.

Coverage Map Information

* This map illustrates approximate service areas based upon computer-generated radio frequency coverage estimates and may not reflect actual coverage.
* Service availability is subject to wireless transmission limitations, including network congestion, network design and signal strength, foliage, weather, topographical conditions (mountains) and nearby structures (tall buildings, tunnels) and therefore cannot be predicted precisely.
* Coverage information is based on information provided by OnStar vendors and wireless service providers. OnStar does not guarantee its accuracy.

[Mightygrasshopper]

ha i guess so..but i thought a city like Seattle would've at least had coverage..

[Steve Dallas]

I live in Seattle, and have used it quite a bit around here. I have had issues with the representative either not being able to find, cannot understand names of towns (Puyallup, Sequim for example), or just routing me to a place that doesn't exist.

I have not, however, had problems connecting with OnStar.

I probably will be dumping the service after the year, though it can be handy. I get the same features with my Android though, and I can just say "Directions to Puyallup" or "Directions to businessname" and 90% of the time the voice recognicion routes me to the right place...much better than the live people of On-Star.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mightygrasshopper

ha i guess so..but i thought a city like Seattle would've at least had coverage..

It does...Maybe it's a Canadian thing

[Mightygrasshopper]

maybe it is a canadian thing?? i dunno..it's onstar..you would think it's pretty much the same system they'd use everywhere else. my "canadian" cell phone works great!

yea, i don't have a problem connecting to them, but they just can't upload the turn by turn.

[Sterling]

Originally Posted by Mightygrasshopper

maybe it is a canadian thing?? i dunno..it's onstar..you would think it's pretty much the same system they'd use everywhere else. my "canadian" cell phone works great!

yea, i don't have a problem connecting to them, but they just can't upload the turn by turn.

I had that problem when I first got my car... I thought it was a fluke the first time I tried it... then the second try I was a little annoyed. The third time, they got a tech to check it out and he uploaded a software update and I haven't had a problem since. I hope that's all you need too...

[WhoDat24]

Mississippi has terrible turn by turn coverage.. I've always just assumed it used cell phone-like service to connect. Almost every time I don't have service on my phone, I won't have OnStar reception when I try to press in.

[thebighar]

I was up the pocono mountains and was looking for a few streets to get to and onstar seemed clueless trying to help. They were not dirt roads i was looking for, they were streets that had been there for years. I had to tell them where to give me directions to. I think it also helps if you get a person with a brain in their head.