Abstract: A system for a vehicle having a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and an audio entertainment system coupled to the data communications bus may include a vehicle wireless transceiver and a vehicle controller to be coupled to the data communications bus. The vehicle controller may be configured to determine and send a vehicle location alert via the vehicle wireless transceiver, and selectively set the audio entertainment system to link with the vehicle wireless transceiver in a hands-free mode. The system may also include a mobile device to be carried by a user remote from the vehicle that may include a remote wireless transceiver configured to link wirelessly with the vehicle wireless transceiver. The mobile device may also include a remote controller cooperating to command, based upon receiving the vehicle location alert, the vehicle controller to set the audio entertainment system into the hands-free mode.

Abstract: A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, a transmission associated with the engine and having a selectable disengaged position based upon a disengage transmission position 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 system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal. The remote start control system may also include 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 disengage transmission position 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 system for a vehicle having a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and an audio entertainment system coupled to the data communications bus may include a vehicle wireless transceiver and a vehicle controller to be coupled to the data communications bus. The vehicle controller may be configured to determine and send a vehicle speed alert via the vehicle wireless transceiver, and selectively set the audio entertainment system to link with the vehicle wireless transceiver in a hands-free mode. The system may also include a mobile device to be carried by a user remote from the vehicle that may include a remote wireless transceiver configured to link wirelessly with the vehicle wireless transceiver. The mobile device may also include a remote controller cooperating to command, based upon receiving the vehicle speed alert, the vehicle controller to set the audio entertainment system into the hands-free mode.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and an audio entertainment system coupled to the data communications bus may include a vehicle wireless transceiver and a vehicle controller to be coupled to the data communications bus. The vehicle controller may be configured to determine and send a vehicle speed alert via the vehicle wireless transceiver, and selectively set the audio entertainment system to link with the vehicle wireless transceiver in a hands-free mode. The system may also include a mobile device to be carried by a user remote from the vehicle that may include a remote wireless transceiver configured to link wirelessly with the vehicle wireless transceiver. The mobile device may also include a remote controller cooperating to command, based upon receiving the vehicle speed alert, the vehicle controller to set the audio entertainment system into the hands-free mode.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and an audio entertainment system coupled to the data communications bus may include a vehicle wireless transceiver and a vehicle controller to be coupled to the data communications bus. The vehicle controller may be configured to determine and send a vehicle location alert via the vehicle wireless transceiver, and selectively set the audio entertainment system to link with the vehicle wireless transceiver in a hands-free mode. The system may also include a mobile device to be carried by a user remote from the vehicle that may include a remote wireless transceiver configured to link wirelessly with the vehicle wireless transceiver. The mobile device may also include a remote controller cooperating to command, based upon receiving the vehicle location alert, the vehicle controller to set the audio entertainment system into the hands-free mode.

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 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 remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, a transmission associated with the engine and having a selectable disengaged position based upon a disengage transmission position 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 system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal. The remote start control system may also include 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 disengage transmission position command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine.

Abstract: A remote control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending therein, and a plurality of vehicle devices communicating over the data communications bus. The system may include a cellular transceiver within the vehicle, and a multi-vehicle controller within the vehicle and coupled to the data communications bus for communication with at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices to perform a remote vehicle function based upon a received remote control signal. The multi-vehicle controller may be enabled to communicate via the data communications bus using a desired set of signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles based upon learning from at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices on the data communications bus and downloading via the cellular transceiver.

Abstract: A vehicle security device to be installed in a vehicle of a type including a vehicle audio entertainment system being configurable via a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include an audio entertainment system content interface. The audio interface may be selectively operable to communicate audio content relating to a vehicle security breach condition to the vehicle audio entertainment system. The device may also include a controller coupled to the audio entertainment system content interface for detecting a vehicle security breach condition. The controller may also be for configuring the vehicle audio entertainment system, via the vehicle data communications bus, so that the audio content related to the vehicle security breach condition plays through the vehicle audio entertainment system based upon detecting the vehicle security breach condition.

Abstract: A vehicle security system for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus connected to a plurality of vehicle devices may include at least one vehicle security sensor interfacing with the vehicle data communications bus for generating a pre-warning signal or an alarm signal, depending upon a sensed threat level. The vehicle security system may also include an alarm indicator and a vehicle security controller. The vehicle security controller may interface with the vehicle data communications bus for causing the alarm indicator to generate a pre-warning indication based upon the pre-warning signal, or for causing the alarm indicator to generate an alarm indication based upon the alarm signal.

Abstract: A remote starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a remote start handheld unit. A remote start controller may be positioned at the vehicle for starting the engine based upon the remote start handheld unit and causing the engine to run for a run time period before shutting off the vehicle engine. The remote start controller is resettable based upon the remote start handheld unit to cause the engine to run for an additional run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine. The remote start handheld unit includes an audible indicator for providing an audible indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to use the remote start handheld unit to reset the run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine.

Abstract: A remote control system for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and connecting a plurality of vehicle devices within the vehicle may include a remote transmitter and a vehicle remote function controller being responsive to the remote transmitter. The vehicle remote function controller may include a controller data link interface. The remote control system may include a multi-controller data bus adaptor for adapting the vehicle remote function controller to communicate via the data communications bus and may include an adaptor data link interface coupled to the controller data link interface. The multi-controller data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of controller codes for the vehicle remote controller from among a plurality of different sets of controller codes for a plurality of different vehicle function controllers.

Abstract: A remote climate control system for a vehicle includes a remote climate controller to be positioned at a vehicle for starting an electrically powered climate control system based upon a remote climate control handheld unit and causing the electrically powered climate control system to run for a run time period before shutting it off. The remote climate controller is resettable based upon the remote climate control handheld unit to cause the electrically powered climate control system to run for an additional run time period before shutting it off. The remote climate control handheld unit has an indicator for providing an indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to reset the run time period while the electrically powered climate control system is still running and before shutting off the electrically powered climate control system.

Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and including 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 electric 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 electric vehicle for receiving signals from the remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with the receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the electric vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical heater responsive to the sensor and the remote transmitter.

Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical AC unit 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 AC unit 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 AC unit responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.

Abstract: A remote starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a remote start handheld unit. A remote start controller may be positioned at the vehicle for starting the engine based upon the remote start handheld unit and causing the engine to run for a run time period before shutting off the vehicle engine. The remote start controller is resettable based upon the remote start handheld unit to cause the engine to run for an additional run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine. The remote start handheld unit includes a tactile indicator for providing a tactile indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to use the remote start handheld unit to reset the run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine.

Abstract: A remote climate control system is for a hybrid vehicle having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical ventilation blower 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 ventilation blower 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 ventilation blower responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.