Abstract: A control system is for a vehicle with vehicle devices and a data communications bus extending through the vehicle and coupled to the vehicle devices. The control system may include a vehicle wireless device, and a vehicle controller configured to communicate, via the data communications bus, with a vehicle device based upon an authorized wireless control device, and send a request for authorization, via the vehicle wireless device, of a new wireless control device to be able to operate the vehicle controller. The control system may include a remote wireless device away from the vehicle and configured to receive the request for authorization from the vehicle controller, present the request for authorization to a user, and permit the user to send a response to the request for authorization to the vehicle controller.

Abstract: A vehicle system for a vehicle may include a vehicle tracking unit that includes a first bus interface to be coupled to a first data communications bus of the vehicle, a vehicle position determining device, long-range and short-ranges tracker wireless devices, and a tracker controller to send vehicle position information via the long-range tracker wireless device based upon the vehicle positioning determining device. The system may also include a remote start unit that includes a second bus interface to be coupled to a second data communications bus of the vehicle, a short-range remote start wireless device to establish a short-range wireless link with the short-range tracker wireless device, and a remote start controller to receive a remote start command from the long-range tracker wireless device via the short-range wireless link, and send a remote start data bus command onto the second data communications bus based upon the remote start command.

Abstract: A vehicle security unit is for a vehicle including at least one data communications bus, an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port coupled to the at least one data communications bus, and a vehicle tracking unit to be coupled to the OBD port. The vehicle security unit may include a security unit housing, a short-range security wireless device carried by the security unit housing, and a vehicle security controller carried by the security unit housing and configured to establish a wireless communication link via the short-range security wireless device with the vehicle tracking unit and communicate via the at least one data communications bus responsive to the communication link.

Abstract: A vehicle tracker system for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include a multi-adaptor vehicle tracker controller including a position determining device, a wireless communications device, a controller data link interface, a download learning port, and a processor. The processor may communicate geolocation data via the wireless communications device. A data bus adaptor may adapt the tracker controller to communicate via the data communications bus and include an adaptor data link interface coupled to the controller data link interface. The data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of proprietary remote function controller codes. The processor may be operable with different sets of proprietary remote function controller codes, and determine the given set of proprietary codes based upon the download learning port and use the given set of proprietary codes for communications with the data bus adaptor.

Abstract: A remote control system for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include a remote transmitter, a multi-adaptor vehicle remote function controller being responsive to the remote transmitter, and a data bus adaptor for adapting the multi-adaptor vehicle remote function controller to communicate via the data communications bus. The data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of proprietary remote function controller codes from among a plurality of different sets of proprietary remote function controller codes. The multi-adaptor vehicle remote function controller may be operable with the different sets of proprietary remote function controller codes, and may be configured to learn the given set of proprietary remote function controller codes that the data bus adaptor is operable with based upon the download learning port, and to use the given set of proprietary codes for communications with the data bus adaptor.

Abstract: A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. A wireless data bus device may be coupled to the power system including a wired interface coupled to the data bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device may include a housing removably coupled to the power system, a vehicle position determining device, a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device, and a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle. The remote function device may permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device(s) coupled to the data bus, and perform a tracking function(s) based upon vehicle position.

Abstract: A remote function control system for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to vehicle devices may include a wireless data bus device in the vehicle coupled to a wired vehicle electrical power system. The wireless data bus device may include a wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device coupled to the wired electrical system may include a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device and a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle. The remote function device may also include a controller coupled to the second and third wireless devices to permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device coupled to the data communications bus.

Abstract: A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. A wireless data bus device may be coupled to the power system and include a wired interface coupled to the data bus, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device may be coupled to the power system and include a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless device, a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device, and a controller to permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device(s) coupled to the data bus. A wireless security sensor may be positioned within the vehicle and coupled to the power system, with the sensor being configured to wirelessly communicate with the second wireless device.

Abstract: A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. The system may include a remote function device coupled to the data communications bus and including an interior wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle, an exterior wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the interior and exterior wireless devices to permit communication between the remote control device and at least one vehicle device coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The system may further include a wireless security sensor positioned within the vehicle and coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system, with the wireless security sensor being configured to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle to the interior wireless device.

Abstract: A remote control system may be for a vehicle including a data communications bus and connecting vehicle devices. The vehicle devices may be operable with a set of vehicle device codes from among different sets thereof for different vehicles. A vehicle controller may be responsive to the remote transmitter and may include a controller data link interface. A data bus adaptor may store the set of vehicle device codes and include an adaptor data link interface cooperating with the controller data link interface to provide a communication link for adapting the vehicle controller to communicate with a vehicle device via the data communications bus. The data bus adaptor may be operable based upon a set of adaptor codes from among different sets thereof. The vehicle controller may include an adaptor code determining circuit for determining the set of adaptor codes based upon communication with the data bus adaptor.

Abstract: A remote start system for a vehicle having an engine, and a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include at least one external temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an external vehicle temperature, and at least one internal temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an internal vehicle temperature. The remote start system may also include a wireless remote control device and a controller coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to start the engine based upon the wireless remote control device and determine an idle time threshold based upon the external temperature. The controller may also stop the engine based upon reaching the idle time threshold or an internal vehicle temperature threshold.

Abstract: A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired electrical power system. A wireless data bus device may be coupled to the power system and include a wired interface coupled to the data bus, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device may be coupled to the power system and include a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device, a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle, and a controller to permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device(s) coupled to the data bus. A wireless security sensor may be positioned within the vehicle and coupled to the power system, and wirelessly communicate with the first wireless device.

Abstract: A remote control system may be for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and connecting vehicle devices. The vehicle devices may be operable with a given set of vehicle device codes from among different sets thereof for different vehicles. A vehicle controller that is responsive to a remote transmitter may include a controller data link interface. A data bus adaptor may store the given set of vehicle device codes and include an adaptor data link interface cooperating with the controller data link interface to provide a communication link for adapting the vehicle controller to communicate with a vehicle device via the data communications bus. The data bus adaptor may be operable based upon a set of adaptor codes from among different sets thereof. The vehicle controller may include a controller download interface for downloading the set of adaptor codes to operate the data bus adaptor.

Abstract: A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. The system may include a wireless data bus device coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system and including a wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, and a memory to store vehicle device bus codes for the plurality of vehicle devices. A remote function device may be coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system and may include a controller to wirelessly receive updated vehicle device bus codes from the remote control device to cause at least one of the vehicle devices to perform a new vehicle operation, and wirelessly transmit the updated data bus codes to the wireless data bus device to be stored in the memory.

Abstract: A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, at least one vehicle brake being selectively operable based upon a parking brake command on the data communications bus, and a vehicle climate control system operable based upon a climate control command on data communications bus. The remote start control system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal, and a vehicle remote start controller at the vehicle that may include a receiver to receive the remote start signal, and at least one processor cooperating with the receiver. The at least one processor, in response to the remote start signal, may generate the parking brake command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine.

Abstract: A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, a window motor associated with a window and operating the window based upon a move window command on the data communications bus, and a vehicle climate control system operable based upon a climate control command on the data communications bus. The remote start control system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal, and a vehicle remote start controller at the vehicle that may include a receiver to receive the remote start signal, and at least one processor cooperating with the receiver. The at least one processor, in response to the remote start signal, may generate the move window command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a wireless communications device, a vehicle position determining device, and an accelerometer. The vehicle control system may also include at least one controller configured to communicate vehicle position information based upon the vehicle position determining device via the wireless communications device, and communicate vehicle acceleration data based upon the accelerometer via the wireless communications device. The controller may also be configured to generate a security pre-warning signal based upon the accelerometer.

Abstract: A remote climate control system is for a hybrid vehicle having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical heater selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the hybrid vehicle. At least one of the electrical heater and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the hybrid vehicle for receiving signals from said remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with said receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the hybrid vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical heater responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.