Exiting vehicle transport mode using fuel level

1. A method of exiting a vehicle transport mode comprising:

placing a vehicle ignition in a predetermined position;

monitoring a fuel level of a vehicle; and

exiting the vehicle transport mode when said fuel level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fuel level threshold exceeds ninety percent of the filled fuel level of a vehicle fuel tank.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of exiting the transport mode into a normal mode.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transport mode includes an electrical system in the vehicle having limited functionality to reduce power consumption and thereby preserve battery life.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said normal mode includes an electrical system in the vehicle having full functionality.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 including monitoring the inclination of a vehicle.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 including the step of using at least one vehicle sensor to determine the inclination of the vehicle.

8. A method as set forth in claim 6 including the steps of:

determining the inclination angle of the vehicle;

comparing the inclination angle to a predetermined threshold; and

maintaining the vehicle in the transport mode when the inclination angle exceeds the predetermined threshold.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8 including the step of monitoring vehicle stability sensors to determine the inclination angle of the vehicle.

10. A method of exiting a vehicle transport mode comprising the steps of:

placing a vehicle ignition in a predetermined position;

detecting if the vehicle is placed in a transport mode;

monitoring the fuel level of the vehicle; and

exiting the transport mode based on the fuel level.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of exiting the transport mode and entering a normal operating mode.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10 including the steps of:

checking vehicle inclination; and

maintaining the vehicle in the transport mode based on vehicle inclination.

13. A method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of establishing a fuel level threshold and exiting the transport mode when the fuel level exceeds the fuel level threshold.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the steps of:

determining the inclination angle of the vehicle;

comparing the inclination angle to a predetermined threshold; and

overriding the exit into the transport mode and maintaining the vehicle in the transport mode when the inclination angle exceeds the predetermined threshold.

15. A method of transporting a vehicle placed in a vehicle transport mode and exiting the vehicle transport mode after arriving at a preselected location including the steps of:

providing the vehicle with an initial low fuel level during transport;

filling the vehicle with fuel at the preselected location to a fuel fill level exceeding the initial low fuel level;

placing an ignition switch in predetermined position;

monitoring the fuel level; and

exiting the transport mode if the fuel level exceeds a predetermined threshold level.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 including the steps of:

monitoring vehicle inclination; and

maintaining the vehicle in the transport mode if the angle of inclination exceeds a predetermined threshold.