GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

OnStar® System If Equipped

OnStar® is a vehicle communications that offers a variety of services and provides a one-touch hands-free communication like between you and the OnStar® Center.

To Receive OnStar® service, a service subscription agreement is required and an additional fee may be required. Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, visit www.onstar.com, contact OnStar® at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-667-8277).


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OnStar® Services Button : Press this button once to contact an advisor who will be able to assist you with these services. If you are not quickly connected, the system will automatically reset and redial. This ensures connection to the center; there is no additional action required. Press the Communication button to cancel the automatic redail.

Emergency Button : In and emergency situation, press the emergency service button. Upon receiving the call, an advisor at the center will locate your vehicle and assess the situation. If necessary, the advisor will alert the nearest emergency service provider.

Communication Button : Press this button at the end of a call. Also press this button to answer a call from the center, or cancel a call if one of the other buttons is accidentally pressed. The button is also used to access OnStar® Personal Virtual Advisor Services. See the OnStar® owner package for more information.

Volume Control : You can control the volume of the OnStar® using the volume knob on the radio or using the steering wheel volume control (If equipped).

Telltale Light : This light will indicate the status of the system. A solid green light will come on when you start the vehicle to let you now that the system is on and is ready to make or receive calls. If the light blinks green, it means that an incoming or out going call is in progress. Press the Communication button if you notice the light blinking and you are not on a call. The light will be red in the event of an OnStar® System malfunction. If this occurs, press the OnStar® button to attempt to contact and advisor. If the connection is made, the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make sure that the system is functioning properly. If you cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to the retailer as soon as possible for assistance.

Cellular Antenna

The cellular antenna on the outside of your vehicle is critical to effective communicate using the OnStar® system. Optimum cellular reception can be obtained when the mast is straight up and down.

OnStar® Services

The following services are available within OnStar® Service plan. Your vehicle comes with a specific on-year service plan that allow use of some or all of the following services.

Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment : If an air bag deploys, a priority emergency signal is automatically sent to the center. An advisor will locate your vehicle's position, try to contact you and assist you in the situation. If the center is unable to contact you and emergency service provider will be contacted.

Stolen Vehicle Tracking : Call the center at 1-800-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report your vehicle stolen. The system can then attempt to locate and track you vehicle and the advisor will assist the proper authorities.

Roadside Assistance with Location : For vehicle breakdowns, press the OnStar® button. An advisor will contact the appropriate help.

Remote Diagnostics : If an instrument panel light comes on, the center can perform a check of the engine on-board computer. An advisor can then recommend what action need to be taken.

OnStar® MED-NET : Med-Net can store your personal medical history and provide it to emergency personnel if necessary. (Requires activation and additional fee. U.S. only.)

Accident Assist : An advisor can provide step-by-step guidance following an accident.

Remote Door Unlock : Contact the call center 1-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to provide your security information. An advisor will send a command to your vehicle to unlock itself. The advisor can delay unlocking your vehicle. Remote Door Unlock is disabled 48 hours after the vehicle is parked to maintain the battery charge.

Vehicle Locator Service : To contact the center, call 1-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to provide your security information. An advisor will send a command to your vehicle to sound the horn and/or flash the lamps.

Route Support : An advisor can provide directions or guidance to anywhere you want to go. In addition, they can help you locate gas station, rest area, ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more.

Ride Assist : An advisor can locate transportation in the event that you are unable to drive.

Concierge Service : The concierge advisor can obtain tickets, reservations, or help with vacation/trip planning and other unique items and services.

OnStar® Personal Calling

With OnStar® Personal Calling, you have a safer way to stay connected while driving. It's a hands-free wireless phone that's integrated into your vehicle. You can place calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no contracts and no additional roaming charges and no access fees.

OnStar® Virtual Advisor

With OnStar® Virtual Advisor you can listen to your favorite news, entertainment and information topics, such as traffic and weather reports, stock quotes and sports scores. You listen to your e-mail through your vehicle's speakers, and reply with your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

A complete Subscription Service Agreement is required prior to delivery of OnStar® service and prepaid calling minuted are also required for OnStar® Personal Calling and OnStar® Virtual Advisor use. Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com.

OnStar® System Limitation

Complete limitations can be found on the Subscriber Service Agreement. In order to provide you with excellent service, calls with the OnStar® Center may be monitored or recorded.

OnStar® Service is:

    • Available in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada.
    • Available when the vehicle is within the operating range of a cellular provider.
    • Subject to limitations caused by atmospheric conditions, such as severe weather or topographical conditions, such as mountainous terrain.
    • Subject to cellular carrier equipment limitations.

Global positioning locating capabilities will not be available if satellite signals are obstructed.

OnStar® will not function if the vehicle's battery is discharged or disconnected. It may also be inoperative if the vehicle is in an accident and the OnStar® or vehicle electrical system components are damaged.

OnStar® is the communications link between you and existing governmental emergency and roadside service providers. OnStar® will receive your call and use reasonable effort to contact an appropriate provider. OnStar® cannot promise that the provider will respond in a timely manner or at all.