diff --git a/python/fastsim/__init__.py b/python/fastsim/__init__.py
index 583bb5c2..e3dbd0e8 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/__init__.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/__init__.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from . import fastsimrust
 from . import fastsimrust as fsr
 from . import parameters as params
-from . import utilities as utils
+from . import utils
 from . import simdrive, vehicle, cycle, calibration, tests
 from . import calibration as cal
 from .resample import resample
diff --git a/python/fastsim/auxiliaries.py b/python/fastsim/auxiliaries.py
index 22dd08bb..86d465ab 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/auxiliaries.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/auxiliaries.py
@@ -1,26 +1,29 @@
 """Auxiliary functions that require fastsim and provide faster access FASTSim vehicle properties."""
-import fastsim as fsim
-from fastsim.vehicle import Vehicle
-from fastsim import parameters as params
 from scipy.optimize import minimize, curve_fit
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from typing import Tuple, List
 
-from fastsim.utilities import get_rho_air
+# Local imports
+import fastsim as fsim
+from fastsim.vehicle import Vehicle
+from fastsim import parameters as params
+from fastsim.utils import get_rho_air
 
 props = params.PhysicalProperties()
 R_air = 287  # J/(kg*K)
     
 
-def abc_to_drag_coeffs(veh: Vehicle,
-                       a_lbf: float, b_lbf__mph: float, c_lbf__mph2: float,
-                       custom_rho: bool = False,
-                       custom_rho_temp_degC: float = 20.,
-                       custom_rho_elevation_m: float = 180.,
-                       simdrive_optimize: bool = True,
-                       show_plots: bool = False,
-                       use_rust=True) -> Tuple[float, float]:
+def abc_to_drag_coeffs(
+    veh: Vehicle,
+    a_lbf: float, b_lbf__mph: float, c_lbf__mph2: float,
+    custom_rho: bool = False,
+    custom_rho_temp_degC: float = 20.,
+    custom_rho_elevation_m: float = 180.,
+    simdrive_optimize: bool = True,
+    show_plots: bool = False,
+    use_rust=True
+) -> Tuple[float, float]:
     """For a given vehicle and target A, B, and C
     coefficients; calculate and return drag and rolling resistance
     coefficients.
@@ -41,13 +44,16 @@ def abc_to_drag_coeffs(veh: Vehicle,
     """
 
     # TODO: allows air density read APIs for whole project; `get_rho_air()` not used for `SimDrive` yet
-    cur_ambient_air_density_kg__m3 = get_rho_air(
-        custom_rho_temp_degC, custom_rho_elevation_m) if custom_rho else props.air_density_kg_per_m3
+    
+    if custom_rho:
+        cur_ambient_air_density_kg__m3 = get_rho_air(custom_rho_temp_degC, custom_rho_elevation_m)  
+    else:
+        cur_ambient_air_density_kg__m3 = props.air_density_kg_per_m3
 
     vmax_mph = 70.0
 
     a_newton = a_lbf * params.N_PER_LBF
-    b_newton__mps = b_lbf__mph * params.N_PER_LBF * params.MPH_PER_MPS
+    _b_newton__mps = b_lbf__mph * params.N_PER_LBF * params.MPH_PER_MPS
     c_newton__mps2 = c_lbf__mph2 * params.N_PER_LBF * \
         params.MPH_PER_MPS * params.MPH_PER_MPS
 
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/demo.py b/python/fastsim/demos/demo.py
index 1714b176..4581db2e 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/demo.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/demo.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 # local modules
 import fastsim as fsim
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
+
 # importlib.reload(simdrive) importlib.reload(cycle)
 
 #for testing demo files, false when running automatic tests
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/demo_abc_drag_coef_conv.py b/python/fastsim/demos/demo_abc_drag_coef_conv.py
index 4c97a92e..daf9b2e4 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/demo_abc_drag_coef_conv.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/demo_abc_drag_coef_conv.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import fastsim as fsim
 from fastsim.auxiliaries import abc_to_drag_coeffs, drag_coeffs_to_abc
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
 v = fsim.vehicle.Vehicle.from_vehdb(1).to_rust()
 v2 = fsim.vehicle.Vehicle.from_vehdb(1).to_rust()
 
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/demo_eu_vehicle_wltp.py b/python/fastsim/demos/demo_eu_vehicle_wltp.py
index 3e95e7e3..228f404d 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/demo_eu_vehicle_wltp.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/demo_eu_vehicle_wltp.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import time
 import fastsim as fsim
 import fastsim.parameters as params
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
+import fastsim.utils as utils
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/fusion_thermal_demo.py b/python/fastsim/demos/fusion_thermal_demo.py
index 85b71649..c9f90e7f 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/fusion_thermal_demo.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/fusion_thermal_demo.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 import os
 import sys
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
 
 #for testing demo files, false when running automatic tests
 SHOW_PLOTS = fsim.utils.show_plots()
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/stop_start_demo.py b/python/fastsim/demos/stop_start_demo.py
index 6e09e429..d8e7de02 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/stop_start_demo.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/stop_start_demo.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 import importlib
 import seaborn as sns
 import fastsim as fsim
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
 
 sns.set()
 
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/time_dilation_demo.py b/python/fastsim/demos/time_dilation_demo.py
index 87ad45a4..e5e6f83a 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/time_dilation_demo.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/time_dilation_demo.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 from fastsim import parameters as params
 
 import fastsim as fsim
-import fastsim.utilities as utils
 
 # importlib.reload(simdrive)
 
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/utils.py b/python/fastsim/demos/utils.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 46959772..00000000
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/utils.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-"""
-Utility functions for demo code
-"""
-DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR = 'FASTSIM_DEMO_IS_INTERACTIVE'
-
-def maybe_str_to_bool(x, default=True):
-    """
-    Turn values of None or string to bool
-    - x: str | None, some parameter, a string or None
-    - default: Bool, the default if x is None or blank
-    RETURN: True or False
-    """
-    if x is None:
-        return default
-    if x is True or x is False:
-        return x
-    try:
-        lower_cased = x.lower().strip()
-        if lower_cased == 'false':
-            return False
-        if lower_cased == 'true':
-            return True
-        return default
-    except:
-        return default
diff --git a/python/fastsim/demos/vehicle_import_demo.py b/python/fastsim/demos/vehicle_import_demo.py
index 358229be..26789d88 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/demos/vehicle_import_demo.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/demos/vehicle_import_demo.py
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@
 import os, pathlib
 
 import fastsim.fastsimrust as fsr
-from fastsim.demos.utils import maybe_str_to_bool, DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR
+import fastsim.utils as utils
 
-RAN_SUCCESSFULLY = False
-IS_INTERACTIVE = maybe_str_to_bool(os.getenv(DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR))
+#for testing demo files, false when running automatic tests
+SHOW_PLOTS = utils.show_plots()
 
 # %%
 # Setup some directories
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@
 # Python pathlib.Path object will be rejected.
 
 options = fsr.get_options_for_year_make_model(year, make, model)
-if IS_INTERACTIVE:
+if SHOW_PLOTS:
     for opt in options:
         print(f"{opt.id}: {opt.transmission}")
 
 # %%
 # Get the data for the given option
 data = options[1]
-if IS_INTERACTIVE:
+if SHOW_PLOTS:
     print(
         f"{data.year} {data.make} {data.model}: {data.comb_mpg_fuel1} mpg ({data.city_mpg_fuel1} CITY / {data.highway_mpg_fuel1} HWY)"
     )
@@ -81,11 +81,6 @@
 # Python pathlib.Path object will be rejected.
 
 vehs = fsr.import_all_vehicles(int(year), make, model, other_inputs)
-if IS_INTERACTIVE:
+if SHOW_PLOTS:
     for v in vehs:
-        print(f"Imported {v.scenario_name}")
-
-
-# %%
-# Used for automated testing
-RAN_SUCCESSFULLY = True
+        print(f"Imported {v.scenario_name}")
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/fastsim/tests/test_auxiliaries.py b/python/fastsim/tests/test_auxiliaries.py
index 58a8595b..9891f3d2 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/tests/test_auxiliaries.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/tests/test_auxiliaries.py
@@ -15,16 +15,28 @@ def test_abc_to_drag_coeffs(self):
             a = 25.91
             b = 0.1943
             c = 0.01796
-            drag_coeff, wheel_rr_coef = auxiliaries.abc_to_drag_coeffs(veh=veh,
-                                                                        a_lbf=a, 
-                                                                    b_lbf__mph=b, 
-                                                                    c_lbf__mph2=c,
-                                                                    custom_rho=False,
-                                                                    simdrive_optimize=True,
-                                                                    show_plots=False,
-                                                                    use_rust=False)
+            drag_coeff, wheel_rr_coef = auxiliaries.abc_to_drag_coeffs(
+                veh=veh,
+                a_lbf=a, 
+                b_lbf__mph=b, 
+                c_lbf__mph2=c,
+                custom_rho=False,
+                simdrive_optimize=True,
+                show_plots=False,
+                use_rust=False
+            )
             self.assertAlmostEqual(0.29396666380768194, drag_coeff, places=5)
             self.assertAlmostEqual(0.00836074507871098, wheel_rr_coef, places=7)
+            drag_coeff, wheel_rr_coef = auxiliaries.abc_to_drag_coeffs(
+                veh=veh,
+                a_lbf=a,
+                b_lbf__mph=b,
+                c_lbf__mph2=c,
+                custom_rho=True,
+                simdrive_optimize=True,
+                show_plots=False,
+                use_rust=False
+            )
 
     def test_drag_coeffs_to_abc(self):
         veh = Vehicle.from_vehdb(1).to_rust()
diff --git a/python/fastsim/tests/utils.py b/python/fastsim/tests/utils.py
deleted file mode 100644
index a2e09d7a..00000000
--- a/python/fastsim/tests/utils.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-"""
-Utilities for Testing
-"""
-import os
-import fastsim.demos.utils as utils
-
-def start_demo_environment():
-    original_value = os.getenv(utils.DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR)
-    os.environ[utils.DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR] = 'False'
-    return original_value
-
-def end_demo_test_environment(original_value):
-    if original_value is not None:
-        os.environ[utils.DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR] = original_value
-    else:
-        del os.environ[utils.DEMO_TEST_ENV_VAR]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/fastsim/utils/__init__.py b/python/fastsim/utils/__init__.py
index e69de29b..01ec46c3 100644
--- a/python/fastsim/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/python/fastsim/utils/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+from .utilities import *
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/fastsim/utilities.py b/python/fastsim/utils/utilities.py
similarity index 100%
rename from python/fastsim/utilities.py
rename to python/fastsim/utils/utilities.py