2015 or older….. BYE BYE ONSTAR

[LHC Kirby]

Just got a call today, end of the year your Onstar goes dead. The system in the 2015 and older vehicles operate on 2G …. ATT and Verizon are no longer supporting that at the end of year.

So, basically you have nothing. They said something about an app that I could subscribe to for $15.00 a month with a couple of months credit for my inconvenience. The app basically monitors every move of your cell phone and if a severe sudden stop, Onstar will call you or emergency contacts and could start emergency services. Welllll…. Time to consider a hide a key… because they can’t unlock my doors anymore. Just for fun, occasionally as I walked to my car I would call them and have them unlock it. The “cell phone” part of it dropped a year or more ago. That was super convenient.

Oh welllll… my 2005 suburban still rolls along.

 

[LHC Kirby]

You would think a software upgrade could have been done instead…. They said that’s a GM thing to do. But not available at this time that they know of.

 

[Racey]

You would think a software upgrade could have been done instead…. They said that’s a GM thing to do. But not available at this time that they know of.

2G to 3G/4G would require new hardware in the cars modem, the signal modulation took a huge step between 2G and 3G

They are killing 2G off because its basically a bandwidth pollutant for newer generation radios in your 4g phones etc. It eats up a ton of spectrum for very litte throughput

 

[Roosky01]

A blessing in disguise?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

2G to 3G/4G would require new hardware in the cars modem, the signal modulation took a huge step between 2G and 3G

Yeah but still that’s like a module swap as it’s a self contained part? They act like you need to swap the chassis to get a fix.

 

[Racey]

Yeah but still that’s like a module swap as it’s a self contained part? They act like you need to swap the chassis to get a fix.

Im not sure where it's located in the car or how it's connected into the stereo, ignition, locks, etc. And what the constraints of those interconnects are. This is kinda on the cusp of pre CANBUS wide adoption so it could be a pretty complex part.

Someone probably makes a bluetooth door unlocker that will work with your smartphone nowadays

Although im rather surprised it goes all the way to 2015 as that is well into 4G territory.

That may be part of the radios having a 2g fallback and they want all 2g equipment done and off as it's very noisy for the spectrum

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Yeah but still that’s like a module swap as it’s a self contained part? They act like you need to swap the chassis to get a fix.

They cannot even generate enough parts to build new junk. There isn't a chance they have the bandwidth to generate something that appeals to so few.

 

[pronstar]

This is the second time OnStar has sunsetted a system.

They did something similar about a decade ago for early systems with old technology, I believe they were analog.

At some point carmakers will just run everything off your phone.

 

[JBZ]

Yeah but still that’s like a module swap as it’s a self contained part? They act like you need to swap the chassis to get a fix.

I had to put a new module in my alarm for the same reason.
They sent me the module and I plugged it in

 

[Member: 71]

Right about now, every car thief reading the OnStar article. Yay!

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Right about now, every car thief reading the OnStar article. Yay!

This is also a picture of a thief in the future. Theyll just roll up beside your car and hack it to get in and take over the computer.

 

[grumpy88]

This is not shit compared to what's coming . Oh your dodge 12 inch screen is no longer supported . For 8k we can update it . Oh your tesla is outdated . Suck a dick . For 25k we can update it . Obsolescence is real

 

[pronstar]

I had to put a new module in my alarm for the same reason.
They sent me the module and I plugged it in

SimpliSafe?
I had to do that a month or two ago.

 

[pronstar]

This is not shit compared to what's coming . Oh your dodge 12 inch screen is no longer supported . For 8k we can update it . Oh your tesla is outdated . Suck a dick . For 25k we can update it . Obsolescence is real

How about a monthly subscription if you want to use your heated seats?

BMW's Heated Seat Subscription Fee Will Start a War With Hackers

As more subscriptions appear, the gray market of unofficial paywall removals could spark a cat and mouse game between coders and automakers.

www.thedrive.com

 

[grumpy88]

How about a monthly subscription if you want to use your heated seats?

BMW's Heated Seat Subscription Fee Will Start a War With Hackers

As more subscriptions appear, the gray market of unofficial paywall removals could spark a cat and mouse game between coders and automakers.

www.thedrive.com

We are screwed going forward . We will look like Cuba soon . A bunch of old Hondas and old trucks running around bandaid together .

 

[napanutt]

Same thing happening to our 2016 MBZ GLC.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

This is the second time OnStar has sunsetted a system.

They did something similar about a decade ago for early systems with old technology, I believe they were analog.

At some point carmakers will just run everything off your phone.

Yes. I had a 2002 Escalade AWD and I had to take it in to have the onstar platform unplugged or it would drain the battery trying to find a signal when the went from analog to digital.

I just gave up a 2009 Yukon 2500 XL to my brother which he has to have it done now. Thankfully he’s challenged changing a light bulb so he won’t even notice it missing.

I just barely escaped the cutoff with the used 2016 Yukon I got a year ago.

 

[Chili Palmer]

F OnStar! Their shit doesn’t work if roll you over and lose the shark fin antenna. Ask me how I know. (picture added)

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I think I've used the onstar in my 2011 GMC exactly once, in the dealership parking lot setting it up. More worried the equipment will drain the battery, wonder if there is a way to completely disable it?

 

[Uncle Dave]

3g is basically dead as well.

All my friends with Solar Edge Inverters and 3g wireless cards are basically non operational.

Cellphone companies are making the switchover to 5 with 4 as a fallback.

 

[DaveH]

2G to 3G/4G would require new hardware in the cars modem, the signal modulation took a huge step between 2G and 3G

They are killing 2G off because its basically a bandwidth pollutant for newer generation radios in your 4g phones etc. It eats up a ton of spectrum for very litte throughput

I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did. the vast majority of the 2G networks were shut down TEN years ago.

the only reason it drug on as long as it did was because so many 2g devices that people take for granted....credit card terminals, home alarm systems, modems for industrial systems, obviously on-star and so forth used 2g air cards. 3g is all but dead. 4g is on its way out.

but maybe everyone should give up their 5g ultra fast phone so we can keep an inefficient outdated technology going. This is the equivalent of bitching your landline 56k dial up modem has been shut off.

it is highly likely a hardware update kit could be retrofit to older vehicles. but at what cost and how many would actually buy them? my guess is that's the reason they arent offered.

 

[Gramps]

Looks like the "My Chevrolet" app is mostly not working anymore also. I just loaded it on my new phone and it isn't/won't talk to my truck anymore. No mileage, no remote start, no tire pressures.......it does still do "parked location".

 

[Ladsm]

My new Jeep Gladiator is completely connected to phone apps, I didnt like how much power it gives others to see and manipulate my car but its the vehicle I wanted

 

[BoatCop]

My 2019 Silverado had the On-Star "Turn-by-turn" Navigation, (which is a subscription deal) instead of a GPS based map, which I'd prefer to use. I found a company, www.infotainment.com, that offers upgrades and replacement modules that replaced the turn-by-turn module, so I have the map display, instead of the turn-by-turn.

The module is located behind the glove box. The new one is plug and play, has its own GPS transponder that mounts underneath the top of the dash, and installs in less than 30 minutes.

You'd think that, if there's enough demand to upgrade from 2g, somebody would come up with a work-around, new module, or other relatively inexpensive solution.

 

[retaocleg]

doesnt mean the spying will stop, just the servicing part.......

 

[pronstar]

You'd think that, if there's enough demand to upgrade from 2g, somebody would come up with a work-around, new module, or other relatively inexpensive solution.

True.

But realistically, the vast majority of folks who own cars old enough to be affected, are the 2nd ior 3rd+ owner…these people aren’t investing in OnStar upgrades.

It’s a small market for questionable ROI