Remote start system including temperature based engine stoppage and related methods

A remote start controller for a vehicle having an engine, a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, at least one external temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an external temperature, and at least one internal temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an internal vehicle temperature, the remote start controller comprising:

• a processor and memory cooperating therewith and coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to
• start the engine based upon a wireless remote control device,
• determine an idle time threshold based upon the external temperature, and
• stop the engine based upon reaching the idle time threshold or an internal vehicle temperature threshold.

A method of remote control operation of an engine of a vehicle having a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, the method comprising:

• starting the engine based upon a wireless remote control device;
• determining an idle time threshold based upon an external vehicle temperature sensed from at least one external temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus;
• and
• stopping the engine based upon reaching the idle time threshold or an internal vehicle temperature threshold based upon an internal vehicle temperature sensed from at least one internal temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus.