Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting an unattended parked vehicle from being impacted by a moving vehicle under control of a driver. The apparatus comprises a detection and alarm system built into the unattended parked vehicle. When a moving vehicle comes within a predetermined distance from the unattended parked vehicle, the apparatus senses the presence of the moving vehicle and activates the alarm system. If the moving vehicle continues to approach the unattended parked vehicle, the activated alarm signals are increased in intensity. Typically, the alarm signals would be in the form of lights flashing and/or horn blowing, or any appropriate combination of audible and visual signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting engine operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, an engine control for enabling or disabling operation of the engine, one or more sensors for detecting whether (i) a cap is on the vehicle fuel fill-pipe, and (ii) a fueling nozzle is in the fuel fill-pipe, a processor coupled to the engine control and the one or more sensors receiving information therefrom and directing the engine control to enable or disable the vehicle engine depending upon the sensor outputs, thereby, disabling the engine when the cap is not on the fill-pipe and/or a fueling nozzle is in the fill-pipe, and enabling the engine when not true. In a further embodiment, a fuel level sensor coupled to the processor is used to detect whether a fuel level change rate R(t)?Rc where Rc is a predetermined value, and if so, disabling the engine.