Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive information indicating the presence of an upcoming obstacle along a route and determine a vehicle-control strategy to minimize expected fuel usage between a current location and an obstacle location. The processor may further control the vehicle in accordance with the control strategy or recommend driver actions in accordance with the control strategy.

Abstract: A storage maintains energy estimates corresponding to function requests for vehicles. A processor of a server is programmed to receive a function request for a vehicle, and direct the vehicle to perform the function request responsive to determining, according to battery information received from the vehicle and an energy estimate corresponding to the function request, that the vehicle has sufficient energy to perform the function request.

Abstract: A system includes a memory storing a battery profile corresponding to a battery identifier of a high-voltage battery of a vehicle and a processor. The processor is programmed to periodically send the battery profile to a server, and, responsive to detecting a change in the battery identifier, request the server to send a battery profile corresponding to the battery identifier as changed.

Abstract: Responsive to a powerline connection of a vehicle to electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), vehicle version information is received indicative of whether the vehicle requires software updates that are downloaded to a non-transitory storage. If so, the software updates are sent to the vehicle over the powerline connection. If not, the software updates are requested over a wide-area connection to a remote server to be cached in the storage for use in subsequent vehicle powerline connections.

Abstract: A system includes a memory storing diagnostic data and survey requirements indicating a survey question and vehicles to receive the survey question. A processor is programmed to identify vehicles that match the survey requirements, send a survey question for the identified vehicles to be answered by vehicle occupants, receive answer to the question from the vehicles, and annotate the diagnostic data with to the answer.

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: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a coolant circuit and a controller configured to selectively direct energy into at least one component of the coolant circuit to provide a negative wheel torque.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system for a vehicle includes a first and second memory device (e.g., erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)). The system further includes a circuit that selectively switches between the first and second memory device. The system further includes a first vehicle control module configured to receive notification that a software update is available at the second memory device. The first vehicle control module controls the circuit to switch from the first memory device to the second memory device at an initialization event. The first vehicle control module executes the software update based on communication with the second memory device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, various vehicle operating modes may be entered from a baseline vehicle operating mode and the vehicle operating modes may revert back to the baseline vehicle operating mode in a plurality of stages so that returning to the baseline operating mode may be less noticeable to vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive information indicating the presence of an upcoming obstacle along a route and determine a vehicle-control strategy to minimize expected fuel usage between a current location and an obstacle location. The processor may further control the vehicle in accordance with the control strategy or recommend driver actions in accordance with the control strategy.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an embedded modem that includes with a cellular transceiver and a wireless network transceiver. The embedded modem is configured to communicate with a cellular network to provide internet access. The embedded modem is further configured to establish a private wireless network and authenticate devices connecting to a private wireless network to allow access to the cellular network. The embedded modem is further configured to establish a public wireless network in which data traffic is routed to a remote server over the cellular network for authentication and processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for classification of the type and weight of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The classification is based on a comparison between a real-time road gradient as determined by the vehicle system and an expected road gradient as determined from an off-board or an onboard map. Vehicle operations may be adjusted based on the classification of the attached trailer.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive an input question relating to a vehicle-detectable vehicle issue. The processor is also configured to determine a parameter, the occurrence of which indicates the possible existence of the vehicle-issue. The processor is further configured to determine a vehicle-system in which the vehicle issue occurs. The processor is additionally configured to identify a plurality of individual vehicles including the vehicle-system in their respective configurations.

Abstract: Responsive to a powerline connection of a vehicle to electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), vehicle version information is received indicative of whether the vehicle requires software updates that are downloaded to a non-transitory storage. If so, the software updates are sent to the vehicle over the powerline connection. If not, the software updates are requested over a wide-area connection to a remote server to be cached in the storage for use in subsequent vehicle powerline connections.

Abstract: A storage maintains energy estimates corresponding to function requests for vehicles. A processor of a server is programmed to receive a function request for a vehicle, and direct the vehicle to perform the function request responsive to determining, according to battery information received from the vehicle and an energy estimate corresponding to the function request, that the vehicle has sufficient energy to perform the function request.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine that a first user will transition from a first climate-controllable environment to a second climate-controllable environment within a threshold time. The processor is also configured to compare first and second environment temperatures. The processor is further configured to detect whether a second-user control device is in communication with a second-environment climate control and set the second-environment climate control to a desired temperature, based on the first environment temperature, responsive to an absence of the second-user control device.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an energy recovery mechanism, and a controller configured to selectively activate at least a battery cooling mode to dissipate excess power from the energy recovery mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting loss of communication in a vehicle network. In one example, a method may include determining a diagnostic time threshold based on an estimated duration for failure of vehicle operation under current operating conditions due to a loss of communication with a control module in the vehicle network. Further, in response to a duration of loss of communication exceeding the time threshold, a loss of communication DTC may be activated.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a server, in communication with a vehicle controller. The server, in response to receiving from the controller a software update request including a timestamp, identifies a long key associated with the vehicle, encrypts the update beginning at a key offset into the long key generated from a manipulation of a data ordering of the timestamp, and transmits the encrypted update to the controller. A controller, in communication with a server, in response to receiving from the server an encrypted software update triggered by an update request transmitted by the controller and including a timestamp, identifies a long key associated with the vehicle, decrypts the update beginning at a key offset into the long key generated from a manipulation of data ordering of the timestamp, and initiates an installation of the decrypted update on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine signal strength of a broadcast radio signal received at a vehicle. The processor is also configured to wirelessly transmit the determined signal strength, a corresponding radio station identifier and GPS coordinates where the vehicle was located when the signal strength was determined to a remote server responsive to occurrence of one or more predefined reporting conditions.