[JTCorbin]

I have been using the My Chevy App during the free OnStar period after buying my Bolt. The remote start and other functions no longer work unless I'm willing to pay OnStar for it. My key FOB has a button for remote start but it doesn't seem to work. Never tried it while the OnStar was active. Were all bolts made with remote start or just the premium models?

 

[AG5BPilot]

I have been using the My Chevy App during the free OnStar period after buying my Bolt. The remote start and other functions no longer work unless I'm willing to pay OnStar for it. My key FOB has a button for remote start but it doesn't seem to work. Never tried it while the OnStar was active. Were all bolts made with remote start or just the premium models?

(Caveat: this is in the U.S. Canada might be completely different.)

My understanding, which could be wrong, is that all you need for the app is connectivity to the car.

A) If the car is in your driveway or garage, and is connected to your home wi-fi, and you are also within range of your home wi-fi, your app will work.

D) If you're not connected by wi-fi, but have either of the two AT&T data plans, you can also connect to the car via the Internet directly using the AT&T data plan.

C) If you also don't have an AT&T data plan, the app will be unable to connect to the car.

Can anyone confirm any parts of this with direct experience?

If all of this is correct, the bottom line is that while you're home, you should be able to use the app because the car can be set up to be on you wi-fi network. However, on the road, you can't monitor the charging while you go to get a bite to eat.

EDIT: This is the relevant Bolt website page: https://www.chevrolet.com/connectivity-and-technology Scroll all the way to the bottom.
This chart is also helpful: https://my.chevrolet.com/content/da...cles/onstar-nbm/OC_Chevrolet_ComparePlans.pdf

The $14.99 remote access plan gives you connectivity to do the control functions from the app. The $39.99 unlimited access gives you the wifi hotspot with unlimited data. There's also OnStar Safety and Security, which gives you crash response and similar stuff. Unless, of course, I'm reading it wrong. Or the website is wrong.

EDIT2: The key fob should work as long as you're close enough to the car. Especially with the remote start button on an ICE vehicle, its purpose is to let you start and warm up the car on a cold winter day while nice and warm inside your house. My dad's Saturn's keyfob can start the car from inside the house about 30 feet from the car. If yours doesn't work, I'd check the battery in the key fob, and if that's not it, take it to the dealer.

EDIT3: Revised A, B, & C. Either AT&T plan gives you the app functionality, but the Safety&Security plan by itself does not.

 

[max]

I have been using the My Chevy App during the free OnStar period after buying my Bolt. The remote start and other functions no longer work unless I'm willing to pay OnStar for it. My key FOB has a button for remote start but it doesn't seem to work. Never tried it while the OnStar was active. Were all bolts made with remote start or just the premium models?

For the keyfob, make sure you press lock first then hold down the remote start button for 3 seconds.
Also, if you have Keypass enabled in the app, you should be able to unlock, precondition, etc.. when in Bluetooth range.

 

[GregBrew]

My OnStar "Trial" subscription lapsed several months ago. Since I bought my Premiere before April 2018, I have free OnStar Basic until December 2022 (5 years).

I have not set up the vehicle to connect to the home WiFi, nor did I buy a data plan. I *did* get minutes for the in-vehicle phone, because they were relatively cheap. I've never been successful setting up Keypass, so it's never been used.

I have preconditioned my 2017 Bolt remotely on several occasions using the MyChevrolet app on an old Android (5.0) Samsung Note 3. Once in the Anaheim Stadium parking lot from the concession stands inside, before walking out to it. My guests were surprised and *very* impressed, as it was an exceptionally hot day. The other times preconditioning was used is while the Bolt was in the driveway, both plugged and unplugged.

If you get OnStar Basic for free for five years, all of the "Key Fob" commands should work, including preconditioning. There is a data package that should be included in the free five years, that enables the remote functionality. Some here reported that they had to call OnStar to have it included. I don't recall what the package is called. Perhaps someone else here can chime in.

 

[Usain]

If you get OnStar Basic for free for five years, all of the "Key Fob" commands should work, including preconditioning. There is a data package that should be included in the free five years, that enables the remote functionality. Some here reported that they had to call OnStar to have it included. I don't recall what the package is called. Perhaps someone else here can chime in.

It's called, "EV Mobile Command". As far as I know, you still have to call OnStar to get them to add it. It should be included free, so don't let them try to sell you something.


Here is an old thread about it:
https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/178...-battery-level-via-onstar-try.html#post418873

 

[quirkySquirt]

Regarding "EV Mobile Command", I lost it when my 3 month trial period ended. Without it, I couldn't get anything from the Vehicle Info page such as current % State of Charge (SOC), the tire pressure, or the miles traveled. I could, though, perform the lock/unluck and precondition/cancel keyfob functions. Never had need of the horn lights on/off keyfob app buttons.

You're supposed to have "EV Mobile Command" for the 5 years of OnStar Basic, but some how a handful of Bolt owners--including myself--had our "EV Mobile Command" feature turned off while on OnStar Basic. It took Usain a other users on this fine forum to convince GM that they broke something during the month of December '17 and January '18 because newer Bolt owners whose OnStar reverted to the Basic plan after January appeared to have EV Mobile Command on their Basic plan.

I don't know what's wrong with your app's keyfob functions, but there's a slim chance OnStar screwed up again and somehow removed all your OnStar functions, including keyfob ones. Have you tried logging out of the OnStar app, reinstalling it, then logging back in? What about the https://my.chevrolet.com website? Can you at least pull vehicle charge information from that? It's a shame that the myChevy site doesn't have buttons to remote lock/unlock or precondition/cancel for the Bolt as they did for the Volt.

 

[zhuneycutt]

I cancelled my OnStar crap too and am just on basic for 5 years. Wifi is turned off and i didn't buy any mobile data and the FOB functions on the APP (IOS) work just fine. In fact i use the app pretty much everyday twice a day to precondition my car and it works every time.

 

[JTCorbin]

Regarding "EV Mobile Command", I lost it when my 3 month trial period ended. Without it, I couldn't get anything from the Vehicle Info page such as current % State of Charge (SOC), the tire pressure, or the miles traveled. I could, though, perform the lock/unluck and precondition/cancel keyfob functions. Never had need of the horn lights on/off keyfob app buttons.

You're supposed to have "EV Mobile Command" for the 5 years of OnStar Basic, but some how a handful of Bolt owners--including myself--had our "EV Mobile Command" feature turned off while on OnStar Basic. It took Usain a other users on this fine forum to convince GM that they broke something during the month of December '17 and January '18 because newer Bolt owners whose OnStar reverted to the Basic plan after January appeared to have EV Mobile Command on their Basic plan.

I don't know what's wrong with your app's keyfob functions, but there's a slim chance OnStar screwed up again and somehow removed all your OnStar functions, including keyfob ones. Have you tried logging out of the OnStar app, reinstalling it, then logging back in? What about the https://my.chevrolet.com website? Can you at least pull vehicle charge information from that? It's a shame that the myChevy site doesn't have buttons to remote lock/unlock or precondition/cancel for the Bolt as they did for the Volt.

It seems they're still breaking it. I bought by Bolt in June '18 and when the free OnStar period ended in July, my ability to precondition and almost everything else that the app controlled stopped.

 

[quirkySquirt]

It seems they're still breaking it. I bought by Bolt in June '18 and when the free OnStar period ended in July, my ability to precondition and almost everything else that the app controlled stopped.

"The greasy wheel gets the grease."

If you have twitter or facebook, address their PR department directly with your complaints. Call if you've got the patience.

I ended up googling Mary Barra's email address (most likely handled by her assistants and not her real email address) and sent my complaint about my 2017 Volt there. It got traction too late, though, but I did score a $500 gift card to spend on accessories for my Bolt.

 

[JTCorbin]

Got with OnStar this morning. They couldn't find my account! Did I activate it? Yes..... Gave then date of purchase, then remembered I had a diagnostic report, gave them the VIN and Account Number from it. The only thing in the account information is my name! WTH? Now I have to wait until I get off work to get on OnStar in the vehicle and have them re-initiate my account. This is not going to be good. My wife is ready to gut the person at Chevrolet Customer Service as it is. I'm just trying not to be collateral damage!

 

[SilentQ]

For the keyfob, make sure you press lock first then hold down the remote start button for 3 seconds.

This is the key point for using the remote start on the key fob. Super frustrating trying to figure this part out. I struggled with it for a couple months before I downloaded the owner's manual and read the instructions.

 

[JTCorbin]

Tried that and it still don't work. According to Chevy, remote start (with the FOB) is standard on all 2018 and 19 models. But not the 2017 (I know, boggles the mind!)

 

[max]

Tried that and it still don't work. According to Chevy, remote start (with the FOB) is standard on all 2018 and 19 models. But not the 2017 (I know, boggles the mind!)

Where did you see that? My MY2017 works fine with remote pre-condition from the key fob.

 

[beeguz]

My on star ended a few months ago I still can use the app on my phone to precondition and do remote commands, (I haven't done it in so long I just checked it just now its still working I never had Onstar at all for this car.



The first time I had success setting it up I was sitting in the car with the ign on, it took me many tries to get it working, make sure your phone is connected to the internet before you sign in, or you will keep going round and round asking for your password.

 

[JTCorbin]

Where did you see that? My MY2017 works fine with remote pre-condition from the key fob.

That is what Chevrolet Customer Support told us when we called to try and figure out why things stopped working.

 

[Sean Nelson]

According to Chevy, remote start (with the FOB) is standard on all 2018 and 19 models. But not the 2017 (I know, boggles the mind!)

Whoever told you that didn't know what they were talking about. I use the preconditioning feature (remote start) on my 2017 Bolt with the key fob all the time and it works just fine.

 

[quirkySquirt]

Tried that and it still don't work. According to Chevy, remote start (with the FOB) is standard on all 2018 and 19 models. But not the 2017 (I know, boggles the mind!)

In the "Getting To Know" guide for my 2017 Bolt, it states on pg 4 how to Remote Start with the Remote Keyless Entry FOB (RKE FOB).

First tier support from Chevy are clueless about the Bolt and Volt. Remote start via RKE FOB is done the same on both the 2017 Volt and Bolt.

 

[PhilBo]

In the "Getting To Know" guide for my 2017 Bolt, it states on pg 4 how to Remote Start with the Remote Keyless Entry FOB (RKE FOB).

First tier support from Chevy are clueless about the Bolt and Volt. Remote start via RKE FOB is done the same on both the 2017 Volt and Bolt.

Manual can be found here:
https://my.chevrolet.com/content/da.../2017/Chevrolet/BOLT EV/Get to Know Guide.pdf

 

[zebraitis]

My .02... No OnStar contract, no wifi setup

I love to fly back to Denver, once on the ground, still on the plane, I pull out my phone, launch the app, lock the door, and precondition.

By the time I get my bags (if I have bags) and get to the car, it's warm or cool as the season requiees. I unplug from the free charge, and off I go!

(… and yes, Key Fob works without OnStar)

 

[quirkySquirt]

My .02... No OnStar contract, no wifi setup

I love to fly back to Denver, once on the ground, still on the plane, I pull out my phone, launch the app, lock the door, and precondition.

By the time I get my bags (if I have bags) and get to the car, it's warm or cool as the season requiees. I unplug from the free charge, and off I go!

(… and yes, Key Fob works without OnStar)

Same here, but because my car is so far from my office the FOB won't reach it while the cell towers can be reached by both my phone and my Bolt.