A multistage vehicle security system includes a transceiver that receives a first
signal sent from a transponder and a controller that processes the first signal.
The controller activates low level operational features of the vehicle if the signal
is associated with an authorized transponder. The system also includes an entry
sensor that detects the physical presence of a user. The transponder sends a second
signal to the transceiver when the presence of the user is detected. The controller
processes the second signal and activates midlevel operational features of the
vehicle if the second signal is associated with the authorized transponder. Once
the user is inside the vehicle, a sensor detects a biometric characteristic of
the user. The user obtains access to one or more high level operational features
of the vehicle if the detected biometric characteristic matches that of an authorized user.
