Abstract: An apparatus and a method for distributing torque from a power source to a plurality of vehicle wheels, where the method can include obtaining data indicative of a rotational velocity of one of the wheels and data indicative of a position of the accelerator, determining a wheel acceleration based on the rotational velocity data, comparing the wheel acceleration and at least one of the rotational velocity data and the position data with a respective threshold condition, signaling the actuator to engage the second subset with the torque of the power source when at least one of the threshold conditions is met, and signaling the actuator to disengage the second subset from the power source when none of the threshold conditions is met. The apparatus can include a powertrain with a system having a control device that can distribute the torque in accordance with the method.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for distributing torque from a power source to a plurality of vehicle wheels, where the method can include obtaining data indicative of a rotational velocity of one of the wheels and data indicative of a position of the accelerator, determining a wheel acceleration based on the rotational velocity data, comparing the wheel acceleration and at least one of the rotational velocity data and the position data with a respective threshold condition, signaling the actuator to engage the second subset with the torque of the power source when at least one of the threshold conditions is met, and signaling the actuator to disengage the second subset from the power source when none of the threshold conditions is met. The apparatus can include a powertrain with a system having a control device that can distribute the torque in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having an engine configured to output a variable torque, can include a transmission with a plurality of gear ratios and selectively driven by the variable torque, and a pair of wheels selectively driven by the transmission. The system can include a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a controller. The controller can be in electrical communication with the longitudinal acceleration sensor. The controller can be configured to determine an inertial value of the vehicle based on data from the longitudinal acceleration sensor prior to a shift from one of the plurality of gear ratios to another of the plurality of gear ratios.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain can include a primary pair of drive wheels and a secondary pair of drive wheels and can be selectively switched between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. When the drivetrain is in the two-wheel drive mode, the secondary pair of wheels are disconnected from the prime mover and the multi-ratio transmission. Also, when the drivetrain is in the two-wheel drive mode, the components used to drive the secondary pair of drive wheels can be rotationally isolated from each of the secondary pair of wheels, the prime mover and the multi-ratio transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having an engine configured to output a variable torque, can include a transmission with a plurality of gear ratios and selectively driven by the variable torque, and a pair of wheels selectively driven by the transmission. The system can include a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a controller. The controller can be in electrical communication with the longitudinal acceleration sensor. The controller can be configured to determine an inertial value of the vehicle based on data from the longitudinal acceleration sensor prior to a shift from one of the plurality of gear ratios to another of the plurality of gear ratios.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain can include a primary pair of drive wheels and a secondary pair of drive wheels and can be selectively switched between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. When the drivetrain is in the two-wheel drive mode, the secondary pair of wheels are disconnected from the prime mover and the multi-ratio transmission. Also, when the drivetrain is in the two-wheel drive mode, the components used to drive the secondary pair of drive wheels can be rotationally isolated from each of the secondary pair of wheels, the prime mover and the multi-ratio transmission.