PROTECTED IDLE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

A computer-implemented method when executed by data processing hardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include detecting a park mode of a vehicle equipped with an automatic protected idle function and activating the automatic protected idle function automatically in response to the detected park mode. A state of a control switch associated with the automatic protected idle function is determined, and a hold time is set in response to a respective determined state of the control switch. The operations also include modifying the automatic protected idle function for one or more ignition cycles in response to the set hold time.