Having your car stolen can be a stressful and frightening experience. In such a situation, your initial instinct may be to contact the police, as his step is extremely important.
However, if you have an OnStar account, you have an additional tool.
OnStar’s tracking feature can help locate your car and provide specific about the vehicle.
This information can assist you, and the authorities in tracking down the car and recovering it safely.
What Is OnStar?
OnStar is a subscription-based service available in General Motors (GM) vehicles that provides vehicle safety and security features.
One of its key features is the ability to track your vehicle.
If your car is stolen and you have an active OnStar account, you can easily use this feature to help locate your car.
Services Provided By OnStar
Emergency Services
If an emergency occurs, drivers can press the red emergency button in their vehicle to connect with an OnStar advisor who can provide help.
Roadside Assistance
OnStar can send roadside assistance if the vehicle breaks down or has a flat tire.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
If the vehicle is reported stolen, OnStar can assist law enforcement in locating it.
Turn-By-Turn Navigation
If the driver needs directions, they can press the blue OnStar button and get turn-by-turn directions sent to their vehicle.
Hands-Free Calling
Allows drivers to make phone calls safely while driving.
Vehicle Diagnostics
OnStar can run monthly checks on the vehicle’s key systems and email the driver the results.
Remote Access
With the OnStar app, drivers can remotely start their vehicle, lock and unlock doors, and even check the vehicle’s fuel level.
Activating OnStar After Your Car Is Stolen
After your car has been stolen, you can activate OnStar.
To initiate this process, you must contact OnStar and furnish them with your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and its make and model.
Once they have this information, they can activate your account and track your car.
This tracking will allow you to receive alerts if your car is recovered or if it’s moved.
You can also use the tracking features to find out where your car is being taken, which can help you to recover it faster.
Step-By-Step Process To Activate Your OnStar After Your Car Is Stolen
Here is a step-by-step process to activate your OnStar after your car is stolen:
- Call OnStar at 1-800-222-1222 from your phone and provide the following information:
- Your vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Your subscriber’s name, address, and phone number
- You will be asked to provide your current location. This is used to help locate your car if it is being used in a theft.
- The OnStar representative will ask for your vehicle’s location and contact information (name, contact number, and email address).
- Finally, you will be asked to enter a security code that will be sent to your phone. Enter this code into the OnStar app on your phone or online to complete the activation.
Benefits Of Onstar Subscription Service
Roadside Assistance
OnStar can provide necessary assistance if you have car trouble while on the road.
This includes services like fuel delivery, flat tire changes, battery jump starts, and vehicle unlocking.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can help law enforcement locate it using GPS.
Sometimes, they can even slow down the vehicle or prevent it from starting, assisting in recovery.
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
OnStar provides voice-guided directions to your destination.
This feature can be beneficial if you’re driving in an unfamiliar area or your vehicle doesn’t have a built-in GPS.
Vehicle Health Reports
OnStar can monitor your vehicle’s key systems and send you regular health reports, alerting you to any potential issues before they become serious problems.
Hands-Free Calling And Wi-Fi
OnStar provides in-vehicle data services, including hands-free calling and an available Wi-Fi hotspot, keeping you connected even on the road.
Remote Access
With the OnStar mobile app, you can remotely start your vehicle, lock and unlock your doors, and even check your vehicle’s oil life and tire pressure.
On-Demand Diagnostics
At the push of a button, OnStar can perform a real-time check of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, antilock brakes and more.
How Does OnStar Assist In Recovering A Stolen Vehicle?
OnStar uses GPS technology to locate your stolen vehicle.
Once you report the theft to the police and provide them with your OnStar account information and OnStar can start tracking your vehicle’s location.
Additionally, if safe and under the guidance of law enforcement, OnStar may slow down your Stolen Vehicle.
This feature can gradually reduce the vehicle’s speed, making it easier for authorities to recover.
What Steps Do I Need To Take To Use OnStar For Stolen Vehicle Recovery?
First, file a police report and ensure you have an active OnStar subscription.
Then contact OnStar and provide the stolen vehicle report number.
OnStar will work with law enforcement, using GPS technology to locate your vehicle.
They may also initiate Stolen Vehicle Slowdown if conditions are safe.
Can OnStar Locate My Vehicle If I Didn’t Have A Subscription At The Time Of The Theft?
Unfortunately, OnStar cannot locate a vehicle if the service was not active at the time of the theft.
The GPS tracking feature is dependent on an active subscription.
If you find yourself in this situation, your best action is to report the theft to local law enforcement.
Can OnStar Prevent My Car From Being Stolen?
While OnStar cannot directly prevent theft, it does offer features that can deter thieves.
For example, the Remote Ignition Block feature can prevent a thief from restarting your vehicle once it’s been turned off.
However, these features are only effective if you have an active OnStar subscription before the theft occurs.
What Happens If My Stolen Vehicle Is Moved Outside The Coverage Area Of OnStar?
Tracking may become more challenging if your stolen vehicle moves outside of OnStar’s coverage area.
While OnStar uses GPS technology, the ability to assist, including location tracking and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, is dependent on the vehicle being within a network coverage area.
It’s best to report the theft to local law enforcement, who can coordinate with other agencies if the vehicle is moved across regions.