Abstract: A range maximization system for a vehicle accounting for external factors may include a tire pressure sensor and a load carry sensor configured to detect information relevant to a load on the vehicle. A vehicle control unit may be configured to receive detected information from the tire pressure and load carry sensor, and configured to determine a) an expected range for the vehicle with the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure, b) a contribution of the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range, and c) braking parameters, chassis parameters, and engine parameters that maximize vehicle range based on the load and tire pressure. The system may also include a display configured to display the contribution of the detected load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range.

Abstract: A range maximization system for a vehicle accounting for external factors may include a tire pressure sensor and a load carry sensor configured to detect information relevant to a load on the vehicle. A vehicle control unit may be configured to receive detected information from the tire pressure and load carry sensor, and configured to determine a) an expected range for the vehicle with the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure, b) a contribution of the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range, and c) braking parameters, chassis parameters, and engine parameters that maximize vehicle range based on the load and tire pressure. The system may also include a display configured to display the contribution of the detected load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a plurality of drive wheels, a vehicle transmission configured to transmit power from the engine to the plurality of drive wheels, one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the one or more vehicle attitude sensors and the vehicle transmission. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a signal from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, determine a degree of vehicle descent based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and downshift the vehicle transmission based on the degree of vehicle descent determined based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a plurality of drive wheels, a vehicle transmission configured to transmit power from the engine to the plurality of drive wheels, one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the one or more vehicle attitude sensors and the vehicle transmission. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a signal from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, determine a degree of vehicle descent based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and downshift the vehicle transmission based on the degree of vehicle descent determined based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a selected speed of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is powered in part by an electric motor and a battery. The electric motor is operable to drive in either a driving state or a charging state. In the charging state the polarity of the electric motor is modified so as to slow the vehicle down and supply power to the battery. A load bank is provided. The load bank is in electrical communication with the electric motor. The controller is further operable to direct power from the electric motor to the load bank when the electric motor is in the charging state.

Abstract: An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly is configured to improve the aerodynamics of the moving automotive vehicle yet maintain the aesthetic appearance of a spoked wheel. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and interconnected to the rim. The spokes spaced apart from each other so as to define a plurality of openings, giving the wheel an aesthetic look. The spokes having a first part operatively connected to a second part. The wheel assembly includes an actuator mechanically attached to each of the plurality of spokes. The actuator is configured to move the first part with respect to the second part so as to cover each of the plurality of openings and form a generally solid disk when the wheel assembly reaches a predetermined speed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle side viewing system that can replace side view mirrors of the vehicle and provide improved vehicle aerodynamics. The vehicle side viewing system can be part of a vehicle that has a driver's side and a passenger's side as is known to those skilled in the art. The vehicle side viewing system has a driver's side view camera and a passenger's side view camera. The vehicle side viewing system also has a driver's side heads up display (HUD) and a passenger's side HUD. The driver's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the DSV camera and the passenger's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the PSV camera.

Abstract: Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.

Abstract: An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.

Abstract: Arrangements related to the selective indication of features included on a system are described. A plurality of graphical indicator elements can be provided. Each of the feature graphical indicators can represent a respective feature of a predefined set of features that are potentially included on the system. It can be determined whether one or more features of the predefined set of features are included on the system. In response to determining that one or more features of the predefined set of features are included on the system, the feature graphical indicators corresponding to the detected one or more features can be selectively displayed.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly is configured to improve the aerodynamics of the moving automotive vehicle yet maintain the aesthetic appearance of a spoked wheel. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and interconnected to the rim. The spokes spaced apart from each other so as to define a plurality of openings, giving the wheel an aesthetic look. The spokes having a first part operatively connected to a second part. The wheel assembly includes an actuator mechanically attached to each of the plurality of spokes. The actuator is configured to move the first part with respect to the second part so as to cover each of the plurality of openings and form a generally solid disk when the wheel assembly reaches a predetermined speed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle side viewing system that can replace side view minors of the vehicle and provide improved vehicle aerodynamics. The vehicle side viewing system can be part of a vehicle that has a driver's side and a passenger's side as is known to those skilled in the art. The vehicle side viewing system has a driver's side view camera and a passenger's side view camera. The vehicle side viewing system also has a driver's side heads up display (HUD) and a passenger's side HUD. The driver's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the DSV camera and the passenger's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the PSV camera.

Abstract: An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.

Abstract: An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.

Abstract: Arrangements related to determining an estimated time of arrival for vehicle navigation are described. A travel route between an origin and a destination is determined. The travel route includes a toll road. It can be determined whether one or more toll payment areas are located along the toll road. A toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas can be determined. Responsive to receiving an indication of automatic toll payment, the toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas can be adjusted. An estimated time of arrival to the destination can be determined using the adjusted toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas. The determined estimated time of arrival can be presented to a user.

Abstract: Arrangements related to the selective indication of features included on a system are described. A plurality of graphical indicator elements can be provided. Each of the feature graphical indicators can represent a respective feature of a predefined set of features that are potentially included on the system. It can be determined whether one or more features of the predefined set of features are included on the system. In response to determining that one or more features of the predefined set of features are included on the system, the feature graphical indicators corresponding to the detected one or more features can be selectively displayed.

Abstract: Arrangements related to determining an estimated time of arrival for vehicle navigation are described. A travel route between an origin and a destination is determined. The travel route includes a toll road. It can be determined whether one or more toll payment areas are located along the toll road. A toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas can be determined. Responsive to receiving an indication of automatic toll payment, the toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas can be adjusted. An estimated time of arrival to the destination can be determined using the adjusted toll payment delay for the one or more toll payment areas. The determined estimated time of arrival can be presented to a user.

Abstract: A window system for a vehicle includes a control module in communication with the powered window. The control module can cause the powered window to be positioned in response to a vehicle condition. The vehicle condition can include a vehicle speed and/or temperature. Such positioning can reduce cabin wind noise at certain vehicle speeds. The system can also help reduce internal vehicle temperatures without dependence on air conditioning systems.

Abstract: Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.