Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Remote Vehicle Speed Limiting Description and Operation
Certain vehicles equipped with OnStar now have an additional feature that allows for remote limiting of the vehicle's speed. This OnStar feature is called Stolen Vehicle Slow-Down and is now part of the OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance service. This feature, when used in conjunction with local law enforcement and strict guidelines at the OnStar Call Center, will slow the vehicle by interacting with the engine control system.
When the engine control system receives a valid request from the OnStar telematics communications interface module, it will enter into a reduced engine power/vehicle speed limiting mode, which will decelerate the vehicle. Once the request is active the engine control module begins reducing engine torque to match requested vehicle speed and a REDUCED ENGINE POWER indication is displayed. No DTCs will be set during this process.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.