GM To Pair OnStar With Smartphone App

We've all had times where we've wondered if we remembered to lock our car doors or forgotten where we parked our vehicle in a parking lot. Now, a new smartphone application from GM could help provide answers to these questions and more.

GM plans to offer a mobile application for smartphones that will let OnStar users access information and control their vehicle directly from their handsets. The application will provide users with vehicle information such as fuel level, fuel range, remaining oil life, tire pressure and fuel economy averages. The app will also be able to start the vehicle, turn on the lights and control the door locks.

In addition to providing helpful vehicle information, the OnStar mobile app will store helpful information such as odometer readings, your vehicle identification number and your OnStar account number. An OnStar representative will also be available via phone if necessary.

The new OnStar mobile app is expected to be available for most new 2011 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models. Each of the brands will have functionality and features specific to its brand. These features will be announced in the future. 

"We're working aggressively to bring the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC applications to market as soon as possible," said Joel Ewanick, vice president of GM Marketing, in a statement. "Because we know that each brand's customers have different tastes, wants and needs, the apps will be very specifically tailored to offer them the services they value most, leveraging these innovative OnStar features as a compelling mutual foundation."