OnStar- A Real Star

By Cleo Simmons, ALDA Chicago Style

I told Linda Belice, our wonderful editor; about my new car having OnStar with a TTY and that the TTY was the first one that the car dealer, Phillips Chevrolet, had ever installed! Linda asked if I would write and explain about OnStar and the TTY.

I never knew anything about OnStar. When I picked up my new Chevy Malibu, David, my son-in-law, actually drove my car. They said to press the blue button which is on the rear view mirror and an Advisor will explain all about the service. Well, David got to hear about all of the features and what it does. Having this little problem of being deaf, I still knew nothing. When we got home, David explained as much as he could. The dealership said they would send me an email and that I could go online to read about all of the features. I thought great but it better tell me how I can “hear” what the OnStar 24/7 Advisor is saying.

If you have never heard of OnStar or only know it by name, I’ll tell you what it does. If I have an accident (bit my tongue), the 24/7 OnStar staff will automatically send the police and an ambulance to the accident site. If I have not had an accident but need help, I can push the red OnStar button on the mirror and they will send help. If I lock my keys in the car, I can call and they can unlock the car. If my car is stolen, they know where it is and can slow the car down or even stop the car from starting.

If there is something wrong with my car, OnStar will email me a notice. I also receive a monthly email with a diagnostic test report on my car. In the first email, they advised me that my tires needed air, how much air was in them and what it should be. They also will tell me when it’s time to change my oil or any other maintenance that is needed. Can you imagine—I don’t even have to take the car in to know if it needs service!

On the email that I received, it said if you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, click here. Needless to say, that was me so I “clicked.” It explained that there is a 24/7 connection to an OnStar TTY Advisor available through the GM/Ultratec Compact TTY. We contacted the special number listed and they explained everything about the TTY and that the car dealer where I bought my car would handle everything, including the installation.

The TTY is now installed in my glove compartment. To connect to OnStar, I push the OnStar button and a TTY Advisor asks, “How can I help you?” Amazing! The guys at Phillips Chevy thought “this is cool.” Me too.

As far as cost, I paid the GM dealer $1,000 for the equipment and installation. I will be reimbursed through the GM Mobility Program. I already received a letter that it is being processed and I should receive my reimbursement check within six weeks.

There is also “icing on the cake.” Most new GM vehicles today come with one year of OnStar service free. My vehicle automatically qualifies for two additional years of the OnStar Safe & Sound Plan at no cost to me through the GM Mobility Program. This is approximately $400 in service costs FREE to me.

(Sales Consultant: Louie Hatzis)

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois’ Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Follow Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook and Twitter to receive coupons, special offers and prizes!