Should you get SiriusXM Guardian? Well, it’s not a simple yes or no. Let me explain the good and bad points so you can make up your mind.
In my pointt of view, if you often need services like Theft Alarm Notification, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance Call, Remote Vehicle Start, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Send and Go, Vehicle Finder, Speed Alert, Boundary Alert, and Curfew Alert from SiriusXM Guardian, then they’re important for you.
Also, if you can haggle the price down, it’s worth it. But if you don’t use these features a lot, it might be too expensive. Sometimes these features don’t even work properly.
Before you decide, read the article. It explains what SiriusXM Guardian is, its features, the good and bad sides, the plans and costs, how to get it, and how to use it with your phone.
Let’s dive in.
How Does SiriusXM Guardian Work?
Nowadays, most people own a smartphone, and there’s a way to connect it to your car. This connection is made possible for Jeeps through the Uconnect Infotainment System, which is what Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Jeep’s parent company, calls its multimedia system. It has features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system as standard.
The Uconnect system itself is free, but for additional remote services like SiriusXM Guardian, you’d need to pay a monthly subscription fee to have extensive access to your car from almost anywhere.
When you buy a Jeep, you receive a complimentary 12-month trial of SiriusXM Guardian starting from the day you purchase the car. To activate the services, you have to sign up for the subscription. After the trial period ends, you’ll be asked to renew it for a monthly subscription fee. There are six different SiriusXM Guardian Packages available, and we’ll explain those in more detail later.
Now that you understand what the SiriusXM Guardian service is and how it operates let’s talk about what it includes to decide whether SiriusXM Guardian is worth it for you.
Is SiriusXM Guardian Worth It? Let’s Understand!
SiriusXM Guardian subscription offers two main categories of features: Safety and security and convenience. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Safety and Security Features:
SiriusXM Guardian has many ways to keep you and your loved ones safe. Wondering if SiriusXM Guardian is worth it? These features might help you decide.
SOS Call: If you’re in trouble, press the SOS button in your car. SiriusXM Guardian helps connect you with local emergency services quickly, whether a medical emergency or something else.
Automatic SOS (ASOS) Call: If your car’s airbags deploy during an accident, ASOS automatically calls for help. An agent contacts you to figure out what kind of help you need and alerts authorities to the accident using GPS to find your car’s location.
Roadside Assistance Call: If you run out of gas or get a flat tire while driving, this feature helps you get roadside service quickly.
Theft Alarm Notification: If someone tries to break into your car, this feature sends you alerts so you can take action to protect your vehicle and belongings.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance: If your car gets stolen, this feature uses GPS to track and locate it, increasing the chances of returning your car.
SiriusXM Guardian Assistance: You can get help and support from customer care if you have any issues or questions about the SiriusXM Guardian service.
Convenience Features:
SiriusXM Guardian also offers convenient features that might help you decide if it’s worth it.
Smartphone / Smartwatch App: With this app, you can access your car’s features from your phone or smartwatch no matter where you are.
Remote Vehicle Start: Start your car from a distance, making it warm and comfortable before you get in, especially on cold mornings.
A Remote Door Lock/Unlock: Lock or unlock your car’s doors using your phone, giving you control over your car’s security.
Remote Horn and Lights: Easily find your car in a parking lot by activating the horn or flashing the headlights through the app.
Send and Go: Send locations from your phone to your car’s navigation system with a touch, avoiding the hassle of entering addresses manually.
Vehicle Finder: Locate your car in a crowded parking lot using the app on your phone.
Alexa Built-In Onboard: Link your Alexa device to SiriusXM Guardian for easy voice-controlled access to features.
Family Drive Alert (formerly Speed Alert, Boundary Alert, Curfew Alert): Monitor your car’s speed, boundaries, and curfew timings, getting alerts if someone goes beyond set limits. These are now part of one feature.
Note: Not all features are available on all vehicles. You can check which features are available for your vehicle here.
Read also: ACC FCW Unavailable Service Required 14 Tips to Fix the Warning
Pros and Cons of SiriusXM Guardian
Pros of SiriusXM Guardian:
Let’s see why SiriusXM Guardian is helpful.
- Easy to Use: SiriusXM Guardian works through your phone or smartwatch. You can control different parts of your car from a distance, which makes things easier.
- Start Your Car Remotely: You can make your car warmer or cooler before you get in by starting it from far away.
- Lock or Unlock Your Car from Afar: You can lock or unlock your car’s doors without being near it, so you don’t have to worry if you forget to lock it.
- Control Your Car Anywhere: You can use your phone or smartwatch to manage your car’s functions from a distance. This adds a lot of convenience to owning a car.
- Find Your Car Easily: You can use the app to honk the horn or control the headlights from far away. This helps in busy parking lots when you need to find your car quickly.
- Alexa Built-In: Having Alexa in the service lets you ask questions and do tasks without using your hands.
- Emergency Help: SiriusXM Guardian can assist you with SOS calls and roadside help in emergencies or when you’re stuck.
- Safety Alerts: It can alert you about speed, boundaries, or curfew, giving you peace of mind by helping you track how your car is used.
Apart from these, SiriusXM Guardian also offers:
- 24/7 Customer Support: You can contact customer service whenever you have questions or issues.
- Free Trial: When you buy your car, you can try SiriusXM Guardian for free if your car works with it.
SiriusXM Guardian keeps you connected to your car all the time. You can keep an eye on how your loved ones drive, encourage safe driving, travel worry-free on long trips, and get help whenever needed. It’s all about making life easier and more convenient.
Cons of SiriusXM Guardian:
Issues with SiriusXM Guardian Service Explained Simply:
- Expensive Subscription: SiriusXM Guardian costs a lot compared to other car companies offering similar features for free. Even with discounts, the price remains high, adding to your overall vehicle expenses.
- Persistent Notifications: Once you provide your information, you can’t stop receiving notifications even if you sell your car. These messages can be bothersome and continue unnecessarily.
- Service Reliability Problems: Sometimes, the service doesn’t work correctly, causing delays, inaccuracies, or even complete connection failures. Considering the high cost, this unreliability is unacceptable.
- Complex Installation for Some Systems: Setting up SiriusXM Guardian is easy if your car’s multimedia system supports it. However, if not, installation might become complicated, requiring additional equipment or expert assistance.
- Duplicate Features: Some features offered by SiriusXM Guardian may already exist in the Jeep app or your car’s key fob, leading to redundant services.
- Security Risks: Being an internet-connected service, there’s a risk of potential cybersecurity threats. It’s crucial to safeguard your data and privacy while using this service.
SiriusXM Guardian Packages
SiriusXM Guardian offers various packages tailored to different needs:
Convenience + Security Package:
This is the most complete and expensive package from SiriusXM Guardian. It lets you start your car remotely, lock/unlock the doors from afar, find your vehicle, honk the horn and flash the lights remotely, send your car’s location to someone, get alerts for speed, boundaries, and curfew, make emergency calls, get automatic help in emergencies, and roadside assistance. It’s got everything for both convenience and safety.
Convenience Package:
It keeps you connected to your car all the time. You can start your car remotely, lock/unlock the doors from a distance, make emergency calls, and get roadside help. It’s good if you want remote control without extra safety features.
Remote Package:
It lets you connect to your car from almost anywhere. You can start your car remotely, lock/unlock the doors from far away, honk the horn, flash the lights remotely, and find your car. It also has security features like setting alerts for speed, boundaries, or curfew.
Assist Package:
Focuses on features that help in emergencies. It includes making emergency calls, getting automatic emergency help, and roadside assistance. It’s for those who want safety and emergency help but don’t need remote control.
Assist + Security Package:
This package has emergency features (emergency calls, automatic help, and roadside assistance) and security-specific features like theft alerts and help if your car is stolen. It’s good if you want emergency help and some basic security.
Security Package:
The most basic option for people who mainly want security features. It includes theft alerts and help if your car is stolen but doesn’t have remote control or emergency help features.
SiriusXM Guardian Prices
The subscription costs for SiriusXM Guardian vary depending on the chosen package and the vehicle’s make and model. Prices typically range from a few dollars to a higher monthly fee for packages combining more features.
SiriusXM Guardian has different packages that offer various services. Each package has its own monthly cost:
- Convenience + Security Package: $25.98 per month
- Convenience Package: $20.99 per month
- Remote Package: $12.99 per month
- Assist Package: $13.99 per month
- Assist + Security Package: $18.98 per month
- Security Package: $12.99 per month
The price you pay depends on the package you choose.
Is SiriusXM Guardian Worth It or Not?
SiriusXM Guardian’s worthiness depends on individual needs and preferences. If safety, remote vehicle access, and peace of mind are priorities, the service can be beneficial.
However, the additional subscription cost should be weighed against the utility and necessity of the features offered.
SiriusXM Guardian offers packages with both helpful features and security measures. But I think it might not be a good choice if you’re unfamiliar with technology and won’t use these features much.
Plus, the cost is quite high. SiriusXM Guardian should offer better service for the price you pay, but it often doesn’t work well. That’s why many people stop using it after a while.
If you’re okay with spending more money for added security and convenience, you can go for it, but remember, it might not be worth it for everyone.
Future Scope of SiriusXM Guardian
SiriusXM Guardian has established itself as a comprehensive vehicle safety, security, and convenience service, but its future scope suggests exciting developments and enhancements. As technology continues to evolve, several potential avenues and improvements could shape the service’s future:
Advanced Integration with Vehicle Systems:
Future iterations of SiriusXM Guardian might involve deeper integration with vehicle systems. This could include enhanced compatibility with more vehicle makes and models, allowing for a broader reach and accessibility across various automotive brands.
AI and Predictive Features:
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) could enable predictive maintenance capabilities, offering insights into potential vehicle issues before they escalate. Predictive analytics might help preemptively identify maintenance needs, optimize vehicle health, and ensure a smoother driving experience.
Expanded Remote Functionality:
Future versions might expand the array of remote functionalities, allowing for more intricate control over vehicle systems. This could involve features such as adjusting climate settings, controlling entertainment systems, or monitoring additional vehicle parameters remotely.
Enhanced Connectivity and Network Reliability:
Improvements in network technology could bolster the reliability of SiriusXM Guardian. This might involve advancements in satellite and cellular connectivity, ensuring a more stable service even in remote areas with traditionally poor network coverage.
Integration with Emerging Technologies:
Integration with emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) or enhanced driver-assistance systems could increase safety features. AR might provide real-time navigation overlays or vehicle diagnostics, enhancing the user experience.
Customization and Personalization:
Future iterations might emphasize greater customization options, allowing users to tailor alerts, preferences, and safety settings more precisely to their needs. This could involve more flexible subscription packages catering to individual preferences.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainability Features:
Considering the growing focus on sustainability, future developments might introduce features that promote eco-friendly driving practices. This could include insights into optimizing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and promoting environmentally conscious driving behaviors.
Conclusion
SiriusXM Guardian offers a comprehensive suite of safety, security, and convenience features for vehicles, catering to different preferences through its various subscription packages. It provides peace of mind and remote control over the car, but users should assess whether the features align with their needs before subscribing.
No matter where you travel or how much time it takes, SiriusXM Guardian ensures you’re never alone on the road. It helps you keep track of your family. If these things matter to you and you’re okay spending $15-30 each month or getting a great deal, then it might be worth it for you. Otherwise, it might not be worth considering. I hope this helps you figure out if SiriusXM Guardian is valuable to you.
If any of you chose to sign up for SiriusXM Guardian, I’d like to know why. If you didn’t, please share your reasons why not and your experiences with SiriusXM Guardian in the comments below.
Meet James Wilson, the driving force behind “Jeeps Geek.” As a dedicated Jeep enthusiast, I’ve navigated the trails, tinkered under the hood, and conquered every off-road challenge. Join me on the Jeeping journey where I share insights, troubleshoot issues, and celebrate the thrill of the open road.