Remote Vehicle Diagnostics Goes Automatic

GM's subsidiary OnStar announced today that OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics Service (VDS) has been added to its in-vehicle communications suite of safety, security and convenience services. OnStar President Chet Huber said that VDS automatically performs 1,600 "real time" diagnostic code checks on four key GM vehicle operating systems - the engine/transmission, anti-lock brake, airbag and OnStar. VDS then sends the results via e-mail to the owner each month. 

The new service is designed to let a customer know about potential problems before they happen. The VDS e-mail report is clearly formatted and easy-to-read, says OnStar. Each of the four key operating systems is tagged with a green, yellow or red icon to clearly indicate the recommended action even before the report is read. Other relevant information includes the percentage of remaining oil life, the mileage and corresponding recommended maintenance, the remaining OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes and the expiration date of the OnStar subscription. Hotlinks within the report open Web pages to provide more detailed information and recommendations.

VDS provides clients convenience and surety that diagnostics checks are done monthly, says the company. Available for GM models only, the service is available on an opt-in basis to current subscribers at no additional charge, and will be a standard part of OnStar service in 2006. For some time now, OnStar subscribers have been able to request a GM Goodwrench Remote Diagnostics on-demand "real time" check at any time during the month by initiating contact with an OnStar advisor. The latter service complements VDS, in cases where a warning light comes on since the last automatic VDS check was done.

GM is leveraging OnStar services to separate itself from other automakers. According to Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, VDS demonstrates GM's intent to deploy innovative new products and services that enhance the vehicle ownership experience and give customers more than they expected. The one-two punch of automatic and on-demand diagnostics is unique to GM, and provides additional peace of mind for drivers, LaNeve adds. "Only GM offers this industry-leading technology, and it's available across the breadth of our portfolio," he stated.

In the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates "U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study," based on responses from more than 17,000 American consumers, 51 percent of those surveyed were interested in remote vehicle diagnostics. Moreover, when asked to allocate a given amount of money toward the features they would like on their next new vehicle, remote vehicle diagnostics ranked third among the 18 traditional and new features included in the question. 

So where to next? In that same matter-of-fact conversation with Larry Burns, he mentioned that as vehicles incorporate more computerization - both hardware and software - OnStar is a viable platform to deliver wireless updates to improve vehicle performance. 

"Imagine owning a Corvette, and with the simple sending of a wireless software update directly to you car, its performance could be improved by 25 horsepower."

(Sources: GM, OnStar)