DETROIT, MI (10.01.2026) – You know that blue button? This year marks the 30th anniversary of OnStar, and it does a lot more now than just call for help after an accident. GM’s connected services portfolio includes several OnStar plans built for different kinds of drivers. Together, they cover safety, remote commands, connectivity, navigation, entertainment, and advanced driving aids.
OnStar isn’t just in your car, either. Many features work with apps from each of our brands: MyBuick, MyCadillac, MyChevrolet, and MyGMC. They’re available to download for Android and iOS.
Here’s a look at what OnStar can do, including a few capabilities that might surprise you:
Safety
Safety is at the heart of what OnStar does, whether you’re behind the wheel or your kid has borrowed the car for the night.
- Automatic Crash Response: After a collision, OnStar automatically checks on you and alerts first responders to your location and situation.
- Roadside Assistance: If you have an issue on the road, like a flat tire, a dead battery, or the need for a tow truck, we’ll send help directly to your location and get you back on your way.
- Stolen Vehicle Assistance: OnStar works with law enforcement to track a stolen vehicle and can slow it to a stop or prevent it from starting.
- Safety Services: In any emergency, press the red button to reach one of GM’s 24/7 Emergency Advisors, who can assist and send help to you or someone else on the road. OnStar Crisis Assist also provides special routing help during severe weather events or natural disasters.
Remote Commands
Having control of your car when you’re not in it grants some peace of mind. It’s also convenient, like when you want to send navigation directions directly to your car.
- Remote lock and unlock: Forget to lock up? Check and do it from your vehicle app. You can also unlock remotely for someone else, honk the horn, or flash the lights to find where you parked. EV owners can start or stop charging, too.
- Remote start: Start your engine or turn on your EV and set the climate so the cabin is ready when you are.
- Send directions: Choose a destination in your app and send it directly to your vehicle’s navigation system before you even get in.
- Vehicle status: Check the fuel level, the battery charge, tire pressures, and more. You also get the odometer reading, remaining oil life, and EV charging status.
- Vehicle location: Forget where you parked? The app shows your vehicle’s current location.
Connectivity
When you need to communicate or navigate, OnStar’s connected services are there to make things simpler.
- In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot: Connect up to 18 devices, with signal reaching up to 50 feet away, good enough to cover the whole tailgate or get you online from your campsite.
- Navigation: Live traffic information helps you find the best route right now, and built-in navigation can help you pick a destination if you need some ideas.
- Google Gemini: Vehicles with Google built-in get the Google Gemini, which offers AI assistance in your vehicle. With Gemini, you can get hands-free help using natural, free-flowing conversation like setting the cabin temperature or planning a more efficient route.”
- Over-the-air updates: OnStar delivers the latest software for your vehicle. You can get new features and refinements while your car sits in the driveway.
Entertainment
Everyone gets bored from time to time. OnStar features can offer some more fun for the driver and passengers.
- Audio streaming: A variety of music, podcasts, audiobooks, and news is available directly to your speakers.
- News: Stay informed with real-time news updates that OnStar sends directly to your vehicle’s center display.
- Video Streaming: Passengers can watch movies and shows in high quality through the infotainment system.
- Games: Interactive games keep everyone entertained, whether it’s a short trip to the store or an epic road trip.
- Internet browser: You can surf the web directly from your car, which can be helpful if you need to look something up on the go.
Advanced driver assistance
OnStar supports GM’s goal of bolstering driver safety by delivering the infrastructure for different advanced driver aids.
- Super Cruise: Vehicles equipped with Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance hardware receive the most up-to-date map data through OnStar, so your car or truck knows where you’re able to take hands off the wheel.
- Hands-free trailering: GM trucks and SUVs with Super Cruise let you tow a trailer hands-free, taking into account the length of the trailer for lane changes.
- Turn signal-activated lane change: Just activate your turn signal, and the system will find a clear spot, smoothly changing lanes without any further action needed from you.
- Automatic lane change: If enabled, your car will automatically pass slower vehicles in your lane without you having to touch any controls.
Every new Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicle comes with an OnStar trial. Just press the blue button to get started. Available plans include Connect, Connect Plus, Protect, and Super Cruise, with pricing from $14.99 per month once the trial ends.
Article Source: GM.com
