Technology is both wondrous and frightening. The influx of high technology in the auto space means fighting off bad actors looking to ruin your day – like someone stealing your Cadillac Escalade or any other GM car, for that matter. That’s a dumb and dangerous move if the General Motors vehicle is equipped with OnStar and the vehicle is subscribed to a plan with Stolen Vehicle Assistance.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance is comprised of several services designed to stop a criminal from making off with your car for good. Stolen Vehicle Assistance includes:
- Stolen Vehicle Slowdown – disabling the stolen vehicle’s engine and gradually slows the vehicle to an idle speed.
- Remote Ignition Block – prevents a vehicle’s engine from restarting.
- Theft Alarm Notification – can notify owners if their vehicle’s alarm sounds after the doors are electronically locked.
Together, the three are designed to prevent the stolen vehicle from disappearing while helping law enforcement officers recover the car safely.
The ad seen here highlights the benefits of the OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance suite at a time when vehicle thefts across the U.S. hit an eight-year high in 2017, as we reported earlier this week. However, it should be noted that vehicle thefts in 2017 were still half of what they were in 1998. Either way, discovering your vehicle has been stolen has to be a violent punch to the gut. But OnStar and its plethora of services and features hope to stop would-be criminals from getting far.
Bonus points for those who notice that the police car in pursuit of the Escalade is a current Chevy Impala, which is sadly being discontinued.
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Comments
I think that technology is great but should come included with the vehicle as I understand
some other manufactures include it with the vehicles.
Even if it has to be with a certain package. That monthly thing is a hassle and annoying.
I have used On Star for 6 years now….lucky just for minor issues….BUT they always answer and it seems to work where ever I am…..I had the free/discounted one from Hyundai…Blue link….they never seem to answer…actually get a recording…..wouldn’t work with there remote start…no signal at my house (in Metro NYS)….useless….tried to cancel, took me 4 tries and hours on the phone…..just bought a Buick for my wife and bought On star for that…..at least I feel it will work if we ever need it
It is a nice service but should be offered longer than it is ,especially n Cadillacs .
Should be mandatory at a certain Chattanooga Chevy dealership ?
As I understand it, the service can only be used by law enforcement. Odd. You’d first have to be dealing with law enforcement who are smart enough to be aware of it and how to use it. Why can’t the owner use it? The owner is the first to know the vehicle has been stolen. Owners should be given more access to the data coming from the car. The owner should be able to see where the car is on the OnStar app and be able to shut it off.
Hope GM is dropping an Easter egg by showing an Impala in police gear….