Abstract: A method for recommending fuel filling stations based on water in fuel content is disclosed. In one example, a data structure is generated to house data from a plurality of fuel filling stations. The data structure may include data that is indicative of water in fuel. A recommendation for refilling a fuel tank may be provided according to data that is held in the data structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine fuel system. In one embodiment the method comprises indicating degradation of each of a low-pressure fuel pump and a fuel filter based on a comparison of a pressure differential between a high-pressure pump pressure setting to an actual pressure and a demanded fuel flow to an engine, the indication distinguishing between pump ageing and filter degradation. The method may include adjusting operation of the low-pressure fuel pump in response to the comparison of the high-pressure pump pressure setting and pressure of fuel entering a high-pressure pump. In one example, the fuel filter may be positioned to filter fuel drawn from a fuel tank before entering the low-pressure fuel pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to sense brake pad wear are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory device and at least one processor to execute instructions to determine whether a braking event corresponds to an anti-lock braking event or a non-anti-lock braking event, in response to the braking event corresponding to the anti-lock braking event, determine at least one of a thickness of a brake pad or a wear of the brake pad based on at least operating parameters of a motor associated with pumping a brake fluid, and in response to the braking event corresponding to the non-anti-lock braking event, determine at least one of the thickness or the wear based on at least a first measurement from a rotary sensor operatively coupled to a brake rotor and a second measurement from a pressure sensor operatively coupled to a flow path of the brake fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of water and diesel exhaust fluid mixed with diesel fuel is disclosed. In one example, output pressure of a fuel pump may be indicative of the presence or absence of water in diesel fuel. The presence or absence of water in fuel may be evaluated in response to filling a fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine fuel system. In one embodiment the method comprises indicating degradation of each of a low-pressure fuel pump and a fuel filter based on a comparison of a pressure differential between a high-pressure pump pressure setting to an actual pressure and a demanded fuel flow to an engine, the indication distinguishing between pump ageing and filter degradation. The method may include adjusting operation of the low-pressure fuel pump in response to the comparison of the high-pressure pump pressure setting and pressure of fuel entering a high-pressure pump. In one example, the fuel filter may be positioned to filter fuel drawn from a fuel tank before entering the low-pressure fuel pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to sense brake pad wear are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory device and at least one processor to execute instructions to, in response to an anti-lock braking system event, determine a volume of brake fluid in a brake piston chamber based on a flow rate of the brake fluid and a pressure within the brake piston chamber, and determine at least one of a thickness of a brake pad or a wear of the brake pad based on the volume of the brake fluid in the brake piston chamber and a volume of the brake piston chamber.

Abstract: A method for recommending fuel filling stations based on water in fuel content is disclosed. In one example, a data structure is generated to house data from a plurality of fuel filling stations. The data structure may include data that is indicative of water in fuel. A recommendation for refilling a fuel tank may be provided according to data that is held in the data structure.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of water and diesel exhaust fluid mixed with diesel fuel is disclosed. In one example, output pressure of a fuel pump may be indicative of the presence or absence of water in diesel fuel. The presence or absence of water in fuel may be evaluated in response to filling a fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to sense brake pad wear are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory device and at least one processor to execute instructions to, in response to an anti-lock braking system event, determine a volume of brake fluid in a brake piston chamber based on a flow rate of the brake fluid and a pressure within the brake piston chamber, and determine at least one of a thickness of a brake pad or a wear of the brake pad based on the volume of the brake fluid in the brake piston chamber and a volume of the brake piston chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel economy and reducing undesired emissions. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine speed being within a first threshold speed of an engine idle speed during a speed reduction request with engine cylinders unfueled, maintaining the cylinders unfueled, and controlling the engine to a desired stopping position responsive to the engine speed being greater than a second threshold speed lower than the idle speed. In this way, fuel usage and emissions may be reduced and engine restart requests may be conducted at least in part via vehicle inertia.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel economy and reducing undesired emissions. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine speed being within a first threshold speed of an engine idle speed during a speed reduction request with engine cylinders unfueled, maintaining the cylinders unfueled, and controlling the engine to a desired stopping position responsive to the engine speed being greater than a second threshold speed lower than the idle speed. In this way, fuel usage and emissions may be reduced and engine restart requests may be conducted at least in part via vehicle inertia.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust residuals during light load conditions in a split exhaust engine via a check valve. In one example, a scavenge exhaust manifold may be maintained above a threshold pressure by introducing fresh air into the scavenge manifold during a valve overlap period, the scavenge manifold coupled to a cylinder of an engine and coupled to an intake passage of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine knock. In one example, a method may include decreasing intake valve lift at a first set of cylinders where knock is indicated and increasing intake valve lift at a second set of cylinders where knock is not indicated. A stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio is thereby maintained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an internal combustion engine via flowing air through the internal combustion engine during select conditions are presented. In one example, lift of intake and/or exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature. In addition, opening and closing timings of intake and exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an internal combustion engine via flowing air through the internal combustion engine during select conditions are presented. In one example, lift of intake and/or exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature. In addition, opening and closing timings of intake and exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine torque response during transient condition. In one example, a method may include adjusting intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve based on the operator torque demand and concurrently, scheduling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and variable cam timing (VCT) based on a predicted torque shortfall ratio. The scheduling of EGR and VCT is independent of the actual position of intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve.

Abstract: A method for adjusting boost provided via a turbocharger or supercharger is described. In one example, boost is increased in response to a change in road conditions before a driver reacts to the change in road conditions by applying an accelerator pedal. The boost is increased to reduce compressor lag, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the engine and vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reduction of VDE harmonics and improvement in the phase alignment of powertrain sensor signals that are asynchronously tasked. In one example, torque converter slip control is improved in a variable displacement engine by processing a raw torque converter turbine speed signal with a moving average filtered engine speed signal. By determining an actual delay between the sampled signals and adjusting a downstream filter parameter, a desired delay can be provided between the samples to align the phases and reduce the signal harmonics.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reduction of VDE harmonics and improvement in the phase alignment of powertrain sensor signals that are asynchronously tasked. In one example, torque converter slip control is improved in a variable displacement engine by processing a raw torque converter turbine speed signal with a moving average filtered engine speed signal. By determining an actual delay between the sampled signals and adjusting a downstream filter parameter, a desired delay can be provided between the samples to align the phases and reduce the signal harmonics.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a boosted engine system, having a turbocharger and a charge air cooler, to limit overheating of a compressor outlet. In one example, a method includes predicting an engine torque profile based on current and future engine operating conditions. The method then models a compressor outlet temperature profile and reduces engine torque output to limit overheating of the compressor outlet.