A vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to perform authentication of a portable device by communication with the portable device when startup of a system of the vehicle is instructed, when the system is off, or when the startup of the system of the vehicle is instructed and the system is off. The controller is configured to perform the startup of the system of the vehicle when the startup of the system of the vehicle is instructed, under a condition that the authentication of the portable device is successful. The controller is configured to perform reauthentication of the portable device when predetermined movement of the vehicle is detected after the startup of the system of the vehicle, and perform theft prevention processing when the reauthentication of the portable device fails.

A vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to perform authentication of a portable device by communication with the portable device when startup of a system of the vehicle is instructed, when the system is off, or when the startup of the system of the vehicle is instructed and the system is off. The controller is configured to perform the startup of the system of the vehicle when the startup of the system of the vehicle is instructed, under a condition that the authentication of the portable device is successful. The controller is configured to perform reauthentication of the portable device when predetermined movement of the vehicle is detected after the startup of the system of the vehicle, and perform theft prevention processing when the reauthentication of the portable device fails.

A parking brake and anti-theft apparatus as described herein may include a brake assembly, a linear actuator and a plurality of locking pins. The brake assembly may include a rotor plate. The rotor plate may include a plurality of openings in and/or through the rotor plate. The plurality of locking pins may be extendable by the linear actuator. The pins may be aligned perpendicular to a face of the rotor plate such that, as at least one of the pins is disposed over one of the plurality of openings and the actuator extends the plurality of locking pins, the pin disposed over the one of the plurality of openings passes into the one of the plurality of openings. In various embodiments, the plurality of pins may comprise a length equal to or greater than a length between two adjacent openings of the plurality of openings.

A lockable device is arranged for blocking the control lever slot of a zero turn radius (ZTR) vehicle. In one embodiment, the lockable device includes a first portion and a second portion which adjust between a contracted position and an expanded position. The lockable device presents first and second projecting members which can be placed under the edges of a control lever slot of a ZTR vehicle. The lockable device may be contracted to be received by a ZTR control lever slot and then may be expanded so that the first and second projecting members of the lockable device are received under the edges of the control lever slot. The lockable device may also be integral within the vehicle. An integral lock or a padlock may be used to secure the lockable device in the expanded position in a control lever slot to prevent movement of a control lever.

A lockable device is arranged for blocking the control lever slot of a zero turn radius (ZTR) vehicle. In one embodiment, the lockable device includes a first portion and a second portion which adjust between a contracted position and an expanded position. The lockable device presents first and second projecting members which can be placed under the edges of a control lever slot of a ZTR vehicle. The lockable device may be contracted to be received by a ZTR control lever slot and then may be expanded so that the first and second projecting members of the lockable device are received under the edges of the control lever slot. The lockable device may also be integral within the vehicle. An integral lock or a padlock may be used to secure the lockable device in the expanded position in a control lever slot to prevent movement of a control lever.

A method for supporting car wash mode of a vehicle with internal electronic transmission range selection includes entering the vehicle into car wash mode with the engine off and the transmission in the Neutral position. Next, the method continues with monitoring the vehicle for misuse of car wash mode, and transitioning the vehicle transmission to Park from Neutral when misuse of car wash mode is detected.

A method for supporting car wash mode of a vehicle with internal electronic transmission range selection includes entering the vehicle into car wash mode with the engine off and the transmission in the Neutral position. Next, the method continues with monitoring the vehicle for misuse of car wash mode, and transitioning the vehicle transmission to Park from Neutral when misuse of car wash mode is detected.

A biometric access control system and method which provides a biometric fingerprint lock for a vehicle shifter. The device prevents would-be drivers from shifting without proper fingerprint ID. It deters automobile thieves and helps stop unauthorized drivers, like teenagers, from taking the car. The present disclosure allows primary drivers to deactivate the unit, for example, for valet or mechanical work.

An anti-theft device 10 is operatively connected to a vehicle drivetrain, downstream of a power plant. To this end, a gear 12 is mounted for rotation together with a driveshaft 13. The device 10 further includes a pivotally mounted locking pawl 17 which is movable relative to the gear 12 between an open position in which a profiled head 18 of the pawl 17 is spaced away from a periphery of the gear 12 such that the gear 12 is permitted to rotate freely together with the driveshaft 13, and a locked position, in which the profiled head 18 of the pawl 17 engages the gear 12 and prevents rotation thereof, thereby locking the driveshaft 13 in position. The device includes an actuator 23 and ECU 22 in a tamper-proof casing 27. The ECU controls engagement of the pawl depending upon a position of a handbrake and ignition switch.

An anti-theft device 10 is operatively connected to a vehicle drivetrain, downstream of a power plant. To this end, a gear 12 is mounted for rotation together with a driveshaft 13. The device 10 further includes a pivotally mounted locking pawl 17 which is movable relative to the gear 12 between an open position in which a profiled head 18 of the pawl 17 is spaced away from a periphery of the gear 12 such that the gear 12 is permitted to rotate freely together with the driveshaft 13, and a locked position, in which the profiled head 18 of the pawl 17 engages the gear 12 and prevents rotation thereof, thereby locking the driveshaft 13 in position. The device includes an actuator 23 and ECU 22 in a tamper-proof casing 27. The ECU controls engagement of the pawl depending upon a position of a handbrake and ignition switch.