The present disclosure relates to a control apparatus (1) for automatically activating a vehicle propulsion apparatus (4). The control apparatus (1) includes a controller (6) comprising an electronic processor (7) having an electrical input for receiving at least a first control signal generated in dependence on driver operation of a transmission controller (12) or a primary vehicle control (15, 16, 17). An electronic memory device (8) is electrically coupled to the electronic processor (7) and has instructions stored therein. The electronic processor (7) is configured to access the memory device (8) and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to receive the first control signal from the first vehicle control (10); and, in dependence on said first control signal, output at least a first activation signal (SIG.sub.EG) for automatically activating the vehicle propulsion apparatus (4).

A remote vehicle starter system for vehicles with manual transmission with improved safeguards for preventing the vehicles from being remotely started while the manual transmission is in gear. The remote vehicle starter system for vehicles with manual transmission may also include additional safeguards to prevent the vehicles from being remotely started when there is a risk that the vehicle may move upon being remotely started, such as when the door has been opened after the vehicle has been placed in state safe for remote start.

The present disclosure provides a method in a vehicle, comprising detecting an engine stop opportunity and recording, in a memory, data corresponding to a first engine stop that occurred in response to detection of the engine stop opportunity. The method further includes detecting an engine stop inhibit, and recording, in a memory, data corresponding to a first missed engine stop wherein the first missed engine stop indicates detection of the engine stop opportunity without an engine stop in response to the detection of the engine stop opportunity.

When a non-hybrid motor vehicle is stopped, its engine is shut-off upon concurrence of certain conditions precedent without turning off the ignition switch.

A vehicle includes a door opening, a door mounted adjacent the opening and moveable relative to the opening between a closed position and a range of open positions, and a controller. The controller determines whether an instantaneous door position is the closed position or within the range of open positions and prevents one of vehicle movement and engine ignition in response to the door being within the range of open positions.