The Vehicle Diagnostics by Delphi will be available online and in Verizon Wireless stores in the coming weeks.

The Delphi car connectivity service enables drivers to carry out any of the following features remotely:

• Use smartphone, laptop or tablet as a key fob for a car to help when accidentally locked out;

• Connect a smartphone to a car via Bluetooth for key fob commands when in locations such as a parking garage;

• Locate and access family cars anywhere and anytime without having to remember to tag your vehicle’s original location;

• Monitor overall vehicle status;

• Diagnose the vehicle’s engine health;

Receive alerts for driving behavior and vehicle performance issues;

• Set up geo-fences and receive alerts for entry and exit;

• Live tracking; and

• Automatic trip logs to help with things like expense report records.

The system operates through a downloadable Delphi smartphone app, available for Android 2.2 and later and Apple iOS 5.0 and later devices, as well as a Delphi Web portal that is compatible with Internet Explorer 7 and later, Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Firefox browsers. Data transmitted through the Delphi connectivity system remains secure and encrypted over the Verizon Wireless network.

To help families stay aware of their drivers whereabouts, the system will designate up to six circular “fences” around locations where drivers are permitted to travel and will issue alerts when the vehicle enters or exits a fenced area.

The system’s Live Tracking feature enables real-time vehicle tracking with five-second updates, showing vehicle speed and heading. The system also will report on the vehicle’s condition and display a list of issues found.

Among the alerts that can be generated by the connectivity system are:

• Check engine light
• Battery voltage
• High RPM (greater than 4000 for 5 seconds)
• Geo-fences entry and exit
• High speed (over 75 mph for 5 seconds)
• E-mails for geo-fences and high-speed alerts