A method for controlling a vehicle engine for an automated shutdown process, comprising the steps of: determining that vehicle engine shutdown conditions exist, said conditions including at least that the engine is running at a predefined idle speed; determining an engine-associated temperature; comparing the engine associated temperature to a first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated temperature being above the first threshold temperature, operating a cooling fan directly driven by the engine and operating the engine at the predefined idle speed to allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the first threshold temperature; and responsive to said engine-associated temperature being below the first threshold temperature, reducing cooling fan operation; and completing an engine shutdown process responsive to the predetermined shutdown conditions being determined to exist, said conditions including at least that the engine-associated temperature is not greater than the first threshold temperature, characterized in that said method further comprises: comparing the engine associated temperature to a second threshold temperature higher than the first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated temperature being above the second threshold temperature, operating said cooling fan directly driven by the engine and operating the engine at a speed above the predefined idle speed to increase the cooling fan speed for more rapid cooling of the engine to allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the second threshold temperature. determining that vehicle engine shutdown conditions exist, said conditions including at least that the engine is running at a predefined idle speed; determining an engine-associated temperature; comparing the engine associated temperature to a first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated temperature being above the first threshold temperature, operating a cooling fan directly driven by the engine and operating the engine at the predefined idle speed to allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the first threshold temperature; and responsive to said engine-associated temperature being below the first threshold temperature, reducing cooling fan operation; and completing an engine shutdown process responsive to the predetermined shutdown conditions being determined to exist, said conditions including at least that the engine-associated temperature is not greater than the first threshold temperature, characterized in that said method further comprises: comparing the engine associated temperature to a second threshold temperature higher than the first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated temperature being above the second threshold temperature, operating said cooling fan directly driven by the engine and operating the engine at a speed above the predefined idle speed to increase the cooling fan speed for more rapid cooling of the engine to allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the second threshold temperature. comparing the engine associated temperature to a second threshold temperature higher than the first threshold temperature; responsive to said engine-associated temperature being above the second threshold temperature, operating said cooling fan directly driven by the engine and operating the engine at a speed above the predefined idle speed to increase the cooling fan speed for more rapid cooling of the engine to allow the engine-associated temperature to fall below the second threshold temperature.