GM OnStar: a curious bug allows impossible tire pressure
Connected vehicles bring a host of benefits to consumers, but also come with their fair share of frustrations. GM, which is not its first computer bug related to its multimedia systems, must deal with another problem, that of the operation of tire pressure sensors. Indeed, according to what some concerned owners have reported on online forums and on social networks, the application OnStar of GM displays data that makes no sense.
“Very low” tire pressure
In one of the screenshots shared in the Facebook group C8 Corvette Owners (And Friends), we could see an alert in the OnStar mobile application regarding tire pressure. This informed the owner of a Chevrolet Corvette that the pressure is dangerously low.
However, the image below this message shows a pressure of 30, 29, 29 and 30 psi, normal figures for this type of vehicle. The app then suggests the owner set their Corvette’s tire pressure to 480 psi, a number that’s impossible to achieve without blowing the tires.
This would not be an isolated case, because another owner, this time of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup truck, also shared a screenshot in the forum Duramax Forum. This shows the OnStar application suggesting a pressure of 958 psi at the front and 1,119 at the rear!
Remember that a light vehicle, whether a car, SUV or van, must maintain its tire pressure between 30 and 50 psi. Pressure above 50 psi is normally considered dangerous. Even heavy trucks don’t exceed the 100 psi threshold.
A bug that would be corrected through an update
In all likelihood, this is just a simple bug that affects, according to our sources, all GM connected vehicles, that is to say all Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick models. Some affected owners have reportedly announced on forums and social media that after updating the mobile app, the problem disappeared. That’s why it’s always wise to rely on your owner’s manual when it comes to your vehicle’s tire pressure.
Conclusion
Although this is an insignificant computer bug, such a situation is nonetheless frustrating for the motorist. It also does not help solidify consumer confidence in connected vehicles. In fact, in a world where all manufacturers, especially GM, are leaning more and more towards digital and data collection practices, such bugs have the potential to seriously damage a brand’s reputation.
If automobile manufacturers wish to launch into connected services, they must offer consumers a reliable and transparent service.
