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PixelSorcerer77

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Joined
Mar 7, 2025
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4
So... I don't really post much but this has been bugging me and I feel like others should know.

First off, anyone else feel a little misled about the whole ONSTAR thing? When I got my car I was told Id have 8 years of service included. Cool, right? But what wasn't mentioned was that to actually use things like Google, Alexa, Waze, or Siri in the car system, you need a separate $20 a month ONSTAR/AT&T plan. Yes, thats $240 a year! That's just for Wifi so you can say "Hey Google" in your own car. Otherwise, nope, not happening.

Here's the kicker. You don't even need it. If you just connect your phone via Bluetooth like we've been doing for years, you can use your own data plan and get the same functionality. Plus, the 8-year emergency service still works without this extra charge. I get that some people might want Wifi for passengers, but at least be upfront about the cost. If youre reading this and still in your trial period, cancel it before you get charged unless you actually want it.

Now, my second issue... what's up with the heater?? It's winter, and if I turn it on too soon after starting the car, the fan kicks in and just blows ice-cold air in my face. Like, seriously?? I thought most modern cars waited until the engine warmed up first. Maybe I'm missing something, but having to sit for 5 minutes shivering or drive cold before the heat actually kicks in just feels... outdated.

Anyway, rant is over. Am I just overthinking this?
 
that fine print can be a bitch so a lesion learned for your next purchase and for the 2 question, yeah you are and this is coming from someone that looks at his equinox like a space ship
 
So... I don't really post much but this has been bugging me and I feel like others should know.

First off, anyone else feel a little misled about the whole ONSTAR thing? When I got my car I was told Id have 8 years of service included. Cool, right? But what wasn't mentioned was that to actually use things like Google, Alexa, Waze, or Siri in the car system, you need a separate $20 a month ONSTAR/AT&T plan. Yes, thats $240 a year! That's just for Wifi so you can say "Hey Google" in your own car. Otherwise, nope, not happening.

Here's the kicker. You don't even need it. If you just connect your phone via Bluetooth like we've been doing for years, you can use your own data plan and get the same functionality. Plus, the 8-year emergency service still works without this extra charge. I get that some people might want Wifi for passengers, but at least be upfront about the cost. If youre reading this and still in your trial period, cancel it before you get charged unless you actually want it.

Now, my second issue... what's up with the heater?? It's winter, and if I turn it on too soon after starting the car, the fan kicks in and just blows ice-cold air in my face. Like, seriously?? I thought most modern cars waited until the engine warmed up first. Maybe I'm missing something, but having to sit for 5 minutes shivering or drive cold before the heat actually kicks in just feels... outdated.

Anyway, rant is over. Am I just overthinking this?
Nah you're not overthinking. I heard a lot of people feeling the same way. Unless you need a hotspot data for passengers, the plan you're mentioning isn't really essential. Why give your passengers VIP treatment while you drive?! hahaha. Regarding the heater, they don't really delay the fan in most cars so whatever's there is there even when the engine is cold.
 
So... I don't really post much but this has been bugging me and I feel like others should know.

First off, anyone else feel a little misled about the whole ONSTAR thing? When I got my car I was told Id have 8 years of service included. Cool, right? But what wasn't mentioned was that to actually use things like Google, Alexa, Waze, or Siri in the car system, you need a separate $20 a month ONSTAR/AT&T plan. Yes, thats $240 a year! That's just for Wifi so you can say "Hey Google" in your own car. Otherwise, nope, not happening.

Here's the kicker. You don't even need it. If you just connect your phone via Bluetooth like we've been doing for years, you can use your own data plan and get the same functionality. Plus, the 8-year emergency service still works without this extra charge. I get that some people might want Wifi for passengers, but at least be upfront about the cost. If youre reading this and still in your trial period, cancel it before you get charged unless you actually want it.

Now, my second issue... what's up with the heater?? It's winter, and if I turn it on too soon after starting the car, the fan kicks in and just blows ice-cold air in my face. Like, seriously?? I thought most modern cars waited until the engine warmed up first. Maybe I'm missing something, but having to sit for 5 minutes shivering or drive cold before the heat actually kicks in just feels... outdated.

Anyway, rant is over. Am I just overthinking this?
Don't worry you're not overthinking it. There are lots of people midled by the OnStar/AT&T data plan upsell too! That includes me LOL. And yeah the basic emergency services stay active for 8 years but the streaming apps? They all need to be PAID.
 
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