Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle condition associated with a warning light. The processor is also configured to obtain explanatory information explaining the cause of the warning light. The processor is further configured to present the explanatory information via a vehicle display. Also, the processor is configured to present a plurality of options for further action with the explanatory information and, upon selection of one of the options, take further steps in accordance with the selection option.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.

Abstract: A vehicle computer is disclosed that includes one or more processors and memory that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors. The computer may be programmed to: receive a light input from an array of photovoltaic cells carried by a vehicle; based on the light input, determine that an infrastructure lamp is in a degraded state or a failure state; and transmit a report to a backend system based on the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cleaning an exhaust particulate filter by routing air via the exhaust particulate filter during a vehicle-off condition. In one example, during vehicle-off conditions, a turbocharger may be reverse rotated via an electric motor or an engine may be reverse rotated via an electric machine to route air via the exhaust particulate filter and the soot collected from the particulate filter may then be deposited on an air filter coupled to the intake manifold. During a subsequent engine start, the soot from the intake air filter may be routed to the engine cylinders for combustion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust particulate filter regeneration. In one example, an engine controller may generate an exotherm at the filter by operating engine cylinders with air-fuel imbalance while using electric assist to a turbocharger to meet a torque demand and raise an intake airflow to enhance the effect of the exotherm. Once heated, the filter may be regenerated by flowing extra air to the exhaust via an air pump and injecting extra fuel to an exhaust passage via an exhaust injector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for an acoustic vehicle altering system (AVAS) based on existing sensors. An example vehicle includes speakers, sensors, and an acoustic vehicle alerting system. The speakers are positioned to play sound to an area external to the vehicle. The sensor is not part of an acoustic vehicle alerting system. Additionally, the acoustic vehicle alerting system plays a test frequency on the speakers, evaluates feedback from the sensor to determine whether there is an error in the acoustic vehicle alerting system, and when there is an error, displays an alert.

Abstract: A system for transferring harvested drinking water from a vehicle to a trailer towed behind the vehicle includes a vehicle reservoir for collecting water from a vehicle heat-exchanger. The reservoir includes a heating element for heating water within the vehicle reservoir. A vehicle controller is coupled with the vehicle reservoir and is programmed to boil the water in the vehicle reservoir. The controller is further programmed to measure a fill level of the vehicle reservoir. A trailer reservoir receives water from the vehicle reservoir. A trailer controller is coupled with the trailer reservoir and is programmed to measure a fill level of the trailer reservoir. The trailer controller is further programmed to transmit a wireless communication to the vehicle controller. The wireless communication is indicative of the fill level of the trailer reservoir. A fluid conduit fluidly connects the vehicle reservoir to the trailer reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicle jump start system includes an aerial drone including first and second electrically conductive end effectors electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system comprises a vehicle computer programmed actuate a vehicle charger to receive electricity from an aerial drone. Actuation of the vehicle charger is performed in response to determining the aerial drone has landed on the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water stored in a water reservoir at a plurality of locations in an engine system, including directly into engine cylinders, upstream of a turbocharger turbine, and at an exhaust manifold, and controlling a water level of the water reservoir. In one example, a method may include supplying the water stored in the water reservoir to one or more of a water injection system, a windshield wiper system, an engine coolant system, and a drinking water system based on water supply conditions and responsive to engine operating conditions. When the water level is low (e.g., below a threshold), supply to the water injection system may be prioritized.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes a processor programmed to apply, on the vehicle, upon detecting an occupant alertness level below a first threshold, a first periodic component to a first torque applied to one or more first-end wheels and a second periodic component to a second torque applied to one or more second-end wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller programmed to, responsive to an estimated oil dilution level of the engine exceeding a first threshold, issue commands such that regenerative braking is inhibited to increase a temperature of the engine, and responsive to the estimated oil dilution level falling below the first threshold, discontinue issuing the commands.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include during conditions where a differential pressure sensor is exposed to changing exhaust pressure, indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter in an exhaust system responsive to a change in differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor being different than an expected change, the differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose and the particulate filter positioned upstream of an exhaust tuning valve.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a processor of a vehicle configured to communicate with an update server hosting software updates; and a software update management module connected to the processor and vehicle modules over a vehicle bus and configured to send an update command over the vehicle bus to invoke a software update mode for one of the vehicle modules identified by a software update, and apply the software update to the one of the vehicle modules. A computing system of a vehicle may be configured to request consent from a user to install a software update, when consent is received, install the software updates using a software update management module configured to invoke software update mode for a vehicle module identified by the software update, and apply the software update to the vehicle module, and when consent is not received, display an indication that software updates are available.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a VCR engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain a current compression ratio or transition to an alternate compression ratio based on the fuel economy benefit of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a compression ratio transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor diagnosis system includes a computer programmed to collect data from a hydrocarbon sensor while an exhaust gas recirculation system is in an open state. The hydrocarbon sensor is mounted along an engine air intake between an exhaust port of the exhaust gas recirculation system and an intake port of a cylinder head. The computer is further programmed to determine whether a hydrocarbon sensor fault exists based at least on the collected data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an emission control device that includes a particulate filter with a bypass. In one example, a method includes bypassing the particulate filter when the exhaust gas has a decreased soot load and when the particulate filter has a decreased soot storage. The method further includes reducing the filter bypass flow and terminating or adjusting a deceleration fuel shut-off operation due to an exhaust temperature proximate to the particulate filter being above a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine air intake having a humidity sensor, and a system having a nozzle positioned in the air intake and fluidly connected to a reservoir. The vehicle has a controller configured to activate the system to deliver fluid from the nozzle into the intake while the engine is inoperative and generate a diagnostic code in response to a change in humidity measured by the sensor being less than a threshold value. A method of controlling a vehicle includes measuring a baseline humidity (H1) using a humidity sensor in an air intake of an engine, and controlling a misting system to mist fluid from a reservoir into the air intake and adjacent to the humidity sensor while the engine is inoperative. The method measures a post-fluid delivery humidity (H2) using the humidity sensor, and generates a diagnostic code based on a comparison of H1 and H2.