A system for automatically controlling shut-off of a vehicle includes: a sensor that senses existence of a user in the vehicle; and a vehicle controlling device that determines whether the vehicle is in an idle state, determines whether a user exists in the vehicle based on a sensing value of the sensor, controls the vehicle to automatically shut off, and notifies a user of a vehicle state.

A system and method for controlling the operations of a vehicle in response to an analysis of the vehicle's status and performance compared to a set of external performance parameters. The vehicle may be operable to adjust its performance in response to the analysis in order to comply with the performance parameters. The vehicle may further be operable to prevent activation or continued operation of one or more components in response to the analysis.

A vehicle control device configured to be capable of executing idle stop control to automatically stop an engine when a predetermined automatic stop condition is satisfied and restart the engine when a predetermined restart condition is satisfied during the automatic stop of the engine, the vehicle control device includes: a start request detector, a shift position detector, and a delay time setting module. A start request detector detects a driver operation indicating a request for starting the engine by a driver. A shift position detector detects a shift position of a shift changer. A delay time setting module sets, on a basis of presence or absence of the driver operation and the shift position, a delay time from when the engine is restarted until when an automatic stop of the engine is permitted.

An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.

A method of controlling operation of an engine includes providing power to a control module and/or a controller included in the control module, providing an engine start input where the engine start input is communicated with the controller, determining or detecting actuation of the engine start input, sending a signal from the controller to begin an engine starting procedure to start the engine, providing multiple engine operating mode inputs via the module, determining or detecting actuation of one of the engine operating mode inputs, and controlling the engine in accordance with one or more predetermined engine control instructions associated with the engine operating mode that is associated with the actuated engine operating input.

A method for automatically starting and stopping engine(s) of a vessel based on the position of a handle. Automatic starting occurs by activating an ignition circuit, receiving a signal indicating handle position, and providing a signal to start the engine when the handle is out of neutral position. A signal to shift the transmission into gear is sent when the handle is in an idle position. Automatic stopping of the engine includes receiving a signal the handle is in neutral, receiving status information of the engine, and providing a signal to stop the engine when the handle is in neutral and either the engine is not running or at least one of a number of conditions are met. A shutoff timer may delay auto stop of the engine, which may reset whenever any of the conditions ceases to be true.

A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle provided with an engine and an electric motor includes a vehicle state evaluator, an exit evaluator, a shutdown evaluator, and a request output unit. The vehicle state evaluator conducts a vehicle stop evaluation and a driving state evaluation on the engine. The vehicle state evaluator evaluates whether the vehicle is stopped in a ready-on state in the vehicle stop evaluation. The exit evaluator conducts an exit evaluation as to whether an exit of an occupant from the vehicle is detected. The shutdown evaluator conducts a shutdown evaluation as to whether a vehicle drive system is to be shut down based on the results of the vehicle stop evaluation, the driving state evaluation, and the exit evaluation. The request output unit outputs a request for shutting down the vehicle drive system based on the result of the shutdown evaluation.

Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine start/stop function in a vehicle with a detachable door. In one example, a method may include, adjusting an engine start/stop strategy responsive to a driver side door of the vehicle been detected to be absent. The adjustment to the start/stop strategy further may be modified based on a type of transmission system coupled to the vehicle.

In response to a triggering event, changing a vehicle remote engine start system from a first state to a second state. In the first state a remote engine start mode, a drive engine of the vehicle and a plurality of vehicle functions are deactivated. In the second state the remote engine start mode, at least one of the plurality of vehicle functions and the drive engine of the vehicle are activated. After activating the remote engine start mode, a timer is incremented or decremented from a predetermined start value. If the timer has not elapsed and the presence of a user is detected, the remote engine start system changes to a third state in which the last timer value and the current state of the remote engine start mode are stored and then the remote engine start mode and the timer are stopped, wherein the drive engine remains switched on.

A work vehicle includes an engine controller for driving an engine, a power supply line, a power supply control line, and a display signal line. When a check switch switchable into a safe position corresponding to safe drive of the engine and a non-safe position is switched to the safe position, the power supply control line renders a power supply relay ON. The display signal line transmits a signal indicative of the switched state of the check switch to a display.