Abstract: In a method of tracking usage habits of a vehicle having a standard vehicle data port, in which a user identification, a start date, a start time, and a start odometer reading are recorded a local vehicle data storage medium upon receipt of an authorized user identification. A shutoff date, a shutoff time and a shutoff odometer reading are recorded in the local vehicle data storage medium upon sensing engine shutoff. A request for vehicle usage information is received from an off-board data storage device. In response thereto the user identification, the start date, the start, the start odometer reading, the shutoff date, the shutoff time and the shutoff odometer reading are transmitted from the local vehicle data storage medium to the off-board data storage device.

Abstract: In a system, used by an automobile dealership having a sales lot, for managing operating parameters of a plurality of vehicles that are responsive to a wireless telephone system-based vehicle management system, a station is responsive to a wireless communications device used by a salesperson. The station includes a receiver and a computer. The computer programmed to receive a communication from the wireless communications device indicating that the salesperson desires to change an operating parameter of a selected vehicle on the sales lot to a desired operating state and send a communication instructing the wireless telephone system-based vehicle management system to send a signal via a wireless telephone system to the selected vehicle that will place the selected vehicle in the desired operating state.

Abstract: In a system, used by an automobile dealership having a sales lot, for managing operating parameters of a plurality of vehicles that are responsive to a satellite-based vehicle management system, a station is responsive to a wireless communications device used by a salesperson. The station includes a receiver and a computer. The computer programmed to receive a communication from the wireless communications device indicating that the salesperson desires to change an operating parameter of a selected vehicle on the sales lot to a desired operating parameter and send a communication instructing the satellite-based vehicle management system to send a signal via satellite to the selected vehicle that will place the selected vehicle in the desired operating parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a door lock of a vehicle having an automatic door locking circuit includes a signal sensor and a removable control unit that is responsive to the signal sensor. The removable control unit generates a door lock state change signal when the signal sensor receives a signal having a first predetermined code value. A first controllable switch that is responsive to the removable control unit is removably couplable to the automatic door locking circuit. The first controllable switch is able to override the automatic door locking circuit so that when the door lock state change signal is asserted, the controllable switch applies power to the automatic door locking circuit, thereby causing a change of state of the door lock.