9  EP 2 100 018 B1 10  [0038] In the eventofthe ISD override,the engine cool- ing fan may be immediately disengaged orengaged until a desired temperature is reached. [0039] The present invention eliminates the existing maximum engine coolant temperature constraint by op- erating the engine cooling fan(s) in a controlled manner to achieve rapid cooling of the engine in preparation for shutdown. [0040] The ISD further provides thermal engine dam- age protection while meeting a 5-minute maximum idle time limit as enacted in some jurisdictions. For other ju- risdictional locations with longer duration idle limits, the ISD can be configurable to conform with such regula- tions, or operator preference. [0041] TheISD timertime-parameter,that is,the shut- down countdown,may be madeadjustable.Such adjust- ability enables the system to operate for a period of time sufficient to cool the engine to desired levels, while still complying with idle-limit laws in the particular location in which the vehicle is located. This embodiment is  ex- tremely desirable for situations in which the vehicle is located in very hot environments (e.g., desert). [0042] While preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed solutions have been shown and descri bed herein, itwillbe obvious that such embodiments are pro- vided by way of example only. Numerous variatio ns, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention herein. Ac- cordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims. determining that vehicle engine shutdown con- ditions exist, said conditions including at least that the engine is running at a predefined idle speed; determiningan engine-associatedtemperature; comparing the engine associated temperature to a first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated tempera- turebeing above thefirstthreshold temperature, operating a cooling fan directlydriven bythe en- gine and operating the engine at the predefined idle speed to allow the engine-associated tem- perature to fall below the first threshold temper- ature; and responsive to said engine-associated tempera- turebeing below the firstthreshold temperature, reducing cooling fan operation; and completing an engine shutdown process re- sponsive tothepredetermined shutdown condi- tions being determined to exist, said conditions including at least that the engine-associat ed temperature is not greater than the first thresh- old temperature, characterized inthat  said methodfurthercom- prises: comparing the engine associated tempera- ture to a second threshold temperature higher than the first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated tem- perature being above the second threshold temperature, operating said cooling fan di- rectly driven by the engine and operating the engine ataspeed above thepredefined idlespeed toincreasethe cooling fanspeed formore rapid coolingofthe engineto allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the second threshold temperature. 1. A method for controlling a vehicle engine for an au- tomated shutdown process,comprising the steps of: 2. The method as recited in claim 1,further comprising controlling the engine speed and cooling fan so that the engine-associated temperature decreases, said controlincluding the occurrenceand timeperiod dur- ing which increased engine speed is affected while the cooling fan is engaged. 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of completing the engine shutdown process further comprises initiating a time delay period before shut- down of the engine. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said ve- hicle engine shutdown conditions include the condi- tion ofwhetherthe vehicle isstationary,and wherein theengineshutdown process is interrupted iftheve- hicle is no longer stationary. 5. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising the steps of monitoring the vehicle engine shutdown conditions and engine associated temperature with an onboard microprocessor-based control system, and further comprising sending a signal to alert an operator that the engine shutdown process has ini- tiated. 6. The method as recited in claim 5,further comprising the steps of accepting a manual override request and interrupting the engine shutdown process. 7. The method as recited inclaim1,whereinthe engine- associated temperature is taken as a direct temper- ature measurement obtained from a sensor located directly on the engine. 8. The method as recited inclaim1,whereinthe engine- associated temperature is a measured temperature of circulated engine oil. 9. The method as recited inclaim1,whereinthe engine- Claims 6