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: 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: A destination request may specify a destination location for an autonomous vehicle identified by a vehicle identifier. The request may be for uniqueness of a timestamp of the destination request. An encrypted payload of the request may be decrypted to identify the destination location using a long key associated with the vehicle identifier and indexed to a key offset determined using the timestamp. A driving command may be sent to the autonomous vehicle specifying the destination location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating loss of engine torque due to cavitation in a fuel pump. One example approach is adjusting engine operation or fuel pump operation based on ambient conditions and a measured engine torque being lower than a desired engine torque after a pre-determined duration. The ambient conditions may include one or more of ambient temperature being higher than a temperature threshold, barometric pressure lower than a threshold pressure, and fuel volatility higher than a threshold volatility.

Abstract: A vehicle may receive an encrypted software update responsive to an update request to an update server; identify a key offset into a long key stored to the vehicle according to a timestamp of the update request; and decrypt the encrypted software update according to the long key indexed to the key offset. An update server may receive, from a vehicle, an update request including a timestamp and a vehicle identifier; retrieve a long key according to the vehicle identifier; identify a key offset into the long key according to a timestamp of the update request; and encrypt a software update into an encrypted software update to send to the vehicle according to the long key indexed to the key offset.

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 may receive a software update to be installed to a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU); perform compatibility testing for vehicle ECUs according to tokens from the vehicle ECUs indicating respective software version levels of the vehicle ECUs to determine a compatibility result; and switch the software update into active use on the vehicle when the compatibility result indicates an allowable configuration of software version levels. A vehicle ECU may receive tokens from other of the vehicle ECUs indicating respective software version levels of the other vehicle ECUs; determine whether the ECU is the most up-to-date ECU based on the tokens; and if so, determine a compatibility result indicative of compatibility of the version levels, or otherwise, receive the compatibility result from the ECU that is the most up-to-date.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a traction battery having a battery fan, an engine, an electric machine coupled to the battery, and a controller or at least one powertrain module having a controller. The controller is programmed to respond to a change in a user selected powertrain operating mode to a performance mode. This change may occur while a pedal demand is generally constant. The controller may increase an available power of the battery to drive the electric machine without altering state of charge operating limits of the battery. The increase in available power of the battery may include increasing a state of charge of the battery or reducing the battery temperature such that a current may flow from the battery for a longer time period. Also, the overall available power for the vehicle may include operation of the engine at a higher rotational speed.

Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a battery pack, a cabin heater, and a coolant loop that communicates liquid coolant from the battery pack to the cabin heater. The cabin heater configured to heat a cabin of a vehicle with thermal energy from liquid coolant.

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 method of controlling a cabin temperature of a hybrid or a start-stop equipped vehicle when idling is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of the vehicle transmission; (b) sensing a temperature within the cabin of the vehicle; and (c) overriding an initial setting of a climate control system of the vehicle after the state of the vehicle transmission has been in park for a predetermined period of time and the sensed cabin temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. The initial setting of the climate control system may be adjusted to maintain the cabin temperature within the predetermined temperature range. A vehicle operator may be informed of the override via wireless communication or a visual indication.

Abstract: A destination request may specify a destination location for an autonomous vehicle identified by a vehicle identifier. The request may be for uniqueness of a timestamp of the destination request. An encrypted payload of the request may be decrypted to identify the destination location using a long key associated with the vehicle identifier and indexed to a key offset determined using the timestamp. A driving command may be sent to the autonomous vehicle specifying the destination location.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a destination and advertiser selection criteria. Further, the processor is configured to determine an advertiser route, including an advertiser location, alternative to a fastest or shortest route, based on the advertiser selection criteria. The processor is additionally configured to present the advertiser route to a vehicle occupant. The processor is also configured to receive an occupant decision of either acceptance or avoidance of the advertiser route and augment an eventual trip cost based on whether the advertiser route was accepted or avoided.

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: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating loss of engine torque due to cavitation in a fuel pump. One example approach is adjusting engine operation or fuel pump operation based on ambient conditions and a measured engine torque being lower than a desired engine torque after a pre-determined duration. The ambient conditions may include one or more of ambient temperature being higher than a temperature threshold, barometric pressure lower than a threshold pressure, and fuel volatility higher than a threshold volatility.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a traction battery having a battery fan, an engine, an electric machine coupled to the battery, and a controller or at least one powertrain module having a controller. The controller is programmed to respond to a change in a user selected powertrain operating mode to a performance mode. This change may occur while a pedal demand is generally constant. The controller may increase an available power of the battery to drive the electric machine without altering state of charge operating limits of the battery. The increase in available power of the battery may include increasing a state of charge of the battery or reducing the battery temperature such that a current may flow from the battery for a longer time period. Also, the overall available power for the vehicle may include operation of the engine at a higher rotational speed.

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: 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 vehicle may receive an encrypted software update responsive to an update request to an update server; identify a key offset into a long key stored to the vehicle according to a timestamp of the update request; and decrypt the encrypted software update according to the long key indexed to the key offset. An update server may receive, from a vehicle, an update request including a timestamp and a vehicle identifier; retrieve a long key according to the vehicle identifier; identify a key offset into the long key according to a timestamp of the update request; and encrypt a software update into an encrypted software update to send to the vehicle according to the long key indexed to the key offset.

Abstract: A vehicle may receive a software update to be installed to a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU); perform compatibility testing for vehicle ECUs according to tokens from the vehicle ECUs indicating respective software version levels of the vehicle ECUs to determine a compatibility result; and switch the software update into active use on the vehicle when the compatibility result indicates an allowable configuration of software version levels. A vehicle ECU may receive tokens from other of the vehicle ECUs indicating respective software version levels of the other vehicle ECUs; determine whether the ECU is the most up-to-date ECU based on the tokens; and if so, determine a compatibility result indicative of compatibility of the version levels, or otherwise, receive the compatibility result from the ECU that is the most up-to-date.