General Motors has announced a feature that will help keep drivers safer and more aware of vehicle issues than ever before.
The Detroit automaker said that the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and Tahoe SUVs will both feature brand new technology capable of predicting future service needs. This means drivers will have more than enough time to get something repaired before an issue occurs on the road.
GM's "prognostic technology" can tell when certain vehicle components need attention and is designed to notify drivers immediately.
"Using our innovative OnStar 4G LTE connectivity platform, we can actively monitor vehicle component health and notify our customers if covered vehicle components need attention," said Alicia Boler-David, GM senior vice president of Global Connected Customer Experience in a company press statement.
You're probably wondering what the big deal is since cars have been predicting maintenance issues for a while now. Chevy owners with an active OnStar account are already capable of monitoring issues like tire oil life and tire pressure through a monthly diagnostic e-mail sent to the vehicle or by using the OnStar smartphone app.
With the new diagnostics upgrade, customers will be able to pick specific data points to find out how their vehicle is doing. For example, if you want to know if your car is low on oil, you won't have to wait for an email to arrive, you can find out on the spot.
The technology will also be featured with vehicles like the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado HD and Suburban, all of which will be equipped with certain powertrains, the automaker confirmed in a press statement.
Though the program isn't currently available, it should be introduced for all 2016 GM vehicles by this summer. At first, the service will be focused on the battery, starter and fuel pump, but more components will likely be added before the end of the year.
Other vehicle parts and components will be announced in future models.
Starting this summer, OnStar will also let subscribers opt-in to a 90-day driving assessment, which will analyze things like braking and acceleration tendencies to compare a driver's performance with averages from other drivers. OnStar will then offer tips on how to improve driving habits, according to GM.
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