Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, periodically adjusting powertrain operation of an electrified vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine to progressively influence oil quality of oil of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are configured to simultaneously generate power in a hybrid mode. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand decreasing to less than a first threshold while the vehicle is operating in the hybrid mode, shutdown the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand decreasing to less than the first threshold and an operator input to extend the hybrid mode, override shutting down the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand exceeding a first threshold while the electric machine is generating power alone, start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand exceeding the first threshold and an operator input to suppress an engine startup, override starting the engine for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having a traction battery are for improving the drivability of the vehicle the battery has low discharge limits. The battery may have such low discharge limits due to the battery being cold and/or the battery state-of-charge (SOC) being low. In operation, upon the battery having a discharge limit lower than a threshold while the vehicle is operating in a charge sustain mode, the engine of the vehicle is used to charge the battery to increase the SOC of the battery such that the battery has a discharge limit greater than the threshold. The vehicle is operated in the charge sustain mode using the battery with the increased SOC.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing reverse driving torque in a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In one example, a method may include accelerating an engine via a generator functioning as a motor, any number of times, to provide an engine braking torque that may increase a reverse driving torque to enable the vehicle to be propelled in reverse at a vehicle speed above a threshold vehicle speed. In this way, reverse gradability may be improved and customer satisfaction increased.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having a traction battery are for improving the drivability of the vehicle the battery has low discharge limits. The battery may have such low discharge limits due to the battery being cold and/or the battery state-of-charge (SOC) being low. In operation, upon the battery having a discharge limit lower than a threshold while the vehicle is operating in a charge sustain mode, the engine of the vehicle is used to charge the battery to increase the SOC of the battery such that the battery has a discharge limit greater than the threshold. The vehicle is operated in the charge sustain mode using the battery with the increased SOC.

Abstract: A hybrid electric power-split vehicle, equipped with a continuously variable transmission coupling an electric motor/generator (EM) with a combustion engine (CE), includes systems and methods that reduce possible resonant noise and vibration during CE startup, by improved EM control, to generate compensating EM torque to counter act such possible resonant noise and vibration. The systems and methods include predetermined baseline CE operating condition (OC) cranking torque profiles stored as OC grids (SOCGs). A start profile is generated from selected cranking torque SOCGs, and also from selected historical start OCGs (HOCGs) of prior engine and/or CE starts, which include prior start noise and vibration metrics along with prior start OCs and related parameters. The start profile is calibrated using a blend factor that is generated from comparisons of SOCGs, and utilized to generate a feed-forward torque signal that adjusts EM torque to reduce the startup noise and vibration resonances.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine, an engine mount, and a controller. The engine has a base speed that corresponds to a speed of the electric machine and an engine power demand. The engine mount is disposed between the engine and a vehicle structure such as a frame or unibody. The controller is configured to, in response to compression of the engine mount, increase an engine speed to a value that is greater than the base speed to reduce engine lugging.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand exceeding a first threshold while the electric machine is generating power alone, start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand exceeding the first threshold and an operator input to suppress an engine startup, override starting the engine for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A hybrid electric power-split vehicle, equipped with a continuously variable transmission coupling an electric motor/generator (EM) with a combustion engine (CE), includes systems and methods that reduce possible resonant noise and vibration during CE startup, by improved EM control, to generate compensating EM torque to counter act such possible resonant noise and vibration. The systems and methods include predetermined baseline CE operating condition (OC) cranking torque profiles stored as OC grids (SOCGs). A start profile is generated from selected cranking torque SOCGs, and also from selected historical start OCGs (HOCGs) of prior engine and/or CE starts, which include prior start noise and vibration metrics along with prior start OCs and related parameters. The start profile is calibrated using a blend factor that is generated from comparisons of SOCGs, and utilized to generate a feed-forward torque signal that adjusts EM torque to reduce the startup noise and vibration resonances.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing reverse driving torque in a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In one example, a method may include accelerating an engine via a generator functioning as a motor, any number of times, to provide an engine braking torque that may increase a reverse driving torque to enable the vehicle to be propelled in reverse at a vehicle speed above a threshold vehicle speed. In this way, reverse gradability may be improved and customer satisfaction increased.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine, an engine mount, and a controller. The engine has a base speed that corresponds to a speed of the electric machine and an engine power demand. The engine mount is disposed between the engine and a vehicle structure such as a frame or unibody. The controller is configured to, in response to compression of the engine mount, increase an engine speed to a value that is greater than the base speed to reduce engine lugging.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, periodically adjusting powertrain operation of an electrified vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine to progressively influence oil quality of oil of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper system and vibration damper method for a hybrid electric road vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a powertrain with an engine, at least one electric machine and a battery. The battery mass forms a part of a vehicle vibration absorber that attenuates vibrations induced by road wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: An alternative fuel vehicle having a fuel economy control module with associated logic that allows the vehicle to operate in a fuel economy mode based on a desired fuel economy preference. The fuel economy control logic is in electrical communication with a vehicle system controller (VSC) and may be integrally formed as a sub-module within the VSC. A fuel economy control switch controlled by the fuel economy control logic toggles between an on and an off position to enable or disable a fuel economy mode. A fuel economy control selector allows a user to select a desired fuel economy mode preference once the fuel economy control switch is on. The fuel economy mode selected represents a predefined desired fuel economy preference such as a distance per amount of fuel consumed, or alternatively, a percentage of a balance between a fuel economy operation and a fuel performance operation.

Abstract: An engine lubrication oil flow control system and control method for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. An engine lubrication oil pump is powered by a lubrication oil pump motor. Provision is made to start the lubrication pump motor at the initiation of engine cranking upon a transition from an engine-off driving mode to an engine-on driving mode. An engine oil pressure signal is used to indicate engine filter maintenance is needed. The oil pump motor may be powered by a vehicle powertrain traction battery.

Abstract: An engine lubrication oil flow control system and control method for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. An engine lubrication oil pump is powered by a lubrication oil pump motor. Provision is made to start the lubrication pump motor at the initiation of engine cranking upon a transition from an engine-off driving mode to an engine-on driving mode. An engine oil pressure signal is used to indicate engine filter maintenance is needed. The oil pump motor may be powered by a vehicle powertrain traction battery.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a traction battery. A rotating electrical machine coupled to said engine charges the traction battery. A motor driven charge air booster operatively connected with said traction battery and with said air inlet functions as an electrically driven supercharger.