Start-up of an engine is prevented, and easier installation to a vehicle can be achieved. A device includes: connectors configured to be connected to battery cables of a vehicle; a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device; a power consuming device configured to consume power of a vehicle battery; and an overall control unit configured to perform control of causing consumption of power of the vehicle battery by using the power consuming device, when the overall control unit receives a signal for instructing consumption of the vehicle battery from the external device through the communication unit.

A method and system determine, during movement of a vehicle system along a route, a tractive load demanded by the vehicle system to propel the vehicle system along the route. The vehicle system includes a propulsion-generating vehicle having plural individually controllable traction motors. A first selected set of the traction motors for deactivation is identified during the movement of the vehicle system along the route based at least in part on the tractive load demanded by the vehicle system. The traction motors in the first selected set are deactivated while at least one of the traction motors in a first remaining set of the traction motors continues to generate tractive effort to propel the vehicle system. The traction motors that are selected for deactivation may all be on the same vehicle in the vehicle system, or may be on different vehicles of the same vehicle system.

A method and system determine, during movement of a vehicle system along a route, a tractive load demanded by the vehicle system to propel the vehicle system along the route. The vehicle system includes a propulsion-generating vehicle having plural individually controllable traction motors. A first selected set of the traction motors for deactivation is identified during the movement of the vehicle system along the route based at least in part on the tractive load demanded by the vehicle system. The traction motors in the first selected set are deactivated while at least one of the traction motors in a first remaining set of the traction motors continues to generate tractive effort to propel the vehicle system. The traction motors that are selected for deactivation may all be on the same vehicle in the vehicle system, or may be on different vehicles of the same vehicle system.

A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.

A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.

A verification procedure is performed when a tracking device is newly installed in a vehicle. The procedure involves transmitting a command to the tracking device to either disable or enable the vehicle starter. The installer is then prompted to engage the starter to start the vehicle. The tracking device then monitors the voltages on the vehicle's ignition wire and starter disable and starter enable wires going to a starter relay. The tracking device also monitors the state of a starter relay control wire. Measurement of the proper voltages on these wires provides verification that the tracking device has been connected properly. Continuing to monitor these voltages after installation provides an indication when a driver engages the starter in an attempt to start the vehicle.

A verification procedure is performed when a tracking device is newly installed in a vehicle. The procedure involves transmitting a command to the tracking device to either disable or enable the vehicle starter. The installer is then prompted to engage the starter to start the vehicle. The tracking device then monitors the voltages on the vehicle's ignition wire and starter disable and starter enable wires going to a starter relay. The tracking device also monitors the state of a starter relay control wire. Measurement of the proper voltages on these wires provides verification that the tracking device has been connected properly. Continuing to monitor these voltages after installation provides an indication when a driver engages the starter in an attempt to start the vehicle.

A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.

A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for locking and/or unlocking a vehicle based on a location of a mobile device associated with the vehicle. In one embodiment a processor in a vehicle analyzes a position of a mobile device relative to the vehicle and allows the vehicle to be unlocked when the mobile device is determined to be approaching the vehicle.