Abstract: A configurable vehicle monitoring device is disclosed that provides two discrete levels of access to configuration routines. In the first level, the owner/operator can configure the unit at a full access configuration level. At the second configuration level, the driver accesses a limited configuration capability to configure certain non-critical operating features. The configurable vehicle monitoring device gathers data from an engine controller over a standard public domain defined data link. The data is analyzed and vehicle operation data is produced including miles per gallon, fuel consumed, trip time, idle time, fuel consumed during idle versus fuel consumed during driving and other pertinent information relevant to fleet or vehicle operation. An electronic audit trail and data regarding power losses provide an indication of device tampering.

Abstract: An air intake heating system and method for heating intake air for internal combustion engines is disclosed including a microprocessor based controller, intake manifold air temperature monitoring means, engine speed monitoring means, and electrical air heating elements actuated by the controller in response to various combinations of sensed engine speed, sensed intake manifold air temperature and sensed battery condition. Air intake heating is provided to assist cold weather starting of engines as well as for minimizing white smoke pollutants produced by diesel engines after starting of the engine and as required thereafter during engine operation.