Abstract: There is disclosed a motor vehicle control system having a vehicle control unit located in the motor vehicle and a hand held portable control unit, which are in two-way communication. The vehicle control unit which is located in the motor vehicle includes a receiving antenna, a receiver, a decoder and a plurality of functional control circuits, with each control circuit for a respective functional operation of the motor vehicle such as ignition, starter activation, heater, air conditioner, door locks, etc. The control unit in the motor vehicle also includes a transmitter and a scanner unit which has a like plurality of sensors for sensing the condition of the various functional operations such as the ignition, engine operation, air conditioner status, heater status, etc. The control unit transmits a radio frequency signal to the remote control unit, which indicates the condition of the sensed operations. The remote control unit has an antenna and receiver with an audio amplifier and speaker.