Onstar gets tougher on car thieves

By: drivers.com staff
Date: 2009-07-23

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OnStar has added a new weapon to its already formidable anti-theft array – Remote Ignition Block.

Once an Onstar subscriber reports a vehicle stolen and requests Onstar's Stolen Vehicle Assistance things get tough for car thieves. Onstar's GPS locates the vehicle and reports the location to police. Next, Onstar sends a Remote Ignition Block signal to the vehicle and this makes it impossible to restart the engine once it has been turned off.

If the vehicle is moving, Onstar can slow it down gradually, leaving the thieves a sitting duck for cops to zero in for an arrest.

However, if your vehicle has been towed for illegal parking or repossessed by a leasing company, forget it. Onstar will recommend you contact police to locate it. On the other hand, if you just forgot where you parked it, Onstar can remotely activate horn and lights to help you find it.

See also Problems with immobilizing stolen vehicles

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