Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle system, an outside air temperature (OAT) sensor, a clock, and a controller. The controller includes recorded garage temperatures and actual OAT profiles. At the key-on event, a controller-executed method includes recording an initial temperature reading from the OAT sensor and corresponding time of day from the clock. The controller determines whether the vehicle is in a garage using the profile of recorded temperatures and the time of day, and estimates an OAT for the corresponding time of day when the vehicle is in the garage. An operation of the vehicle system is controlled using the estimated OAT before the vehicle leaves the garage. The system may be a navigation system, and the operation may be modification of a calculated electric vehicle range. The system may be an HVAC or other system in another embodiment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for estimating a range of a vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A sensor unit is configured to measure one or more input values pertaining to the RESS. A processor is coupled to the sensor unit, and is configured to determine an amount of energy available from the RESS using the input values and to obtain a time of day. An estimate of the range for the vehicle is determined based on the time of day and the amount of energy available.

Abstract: A method for predicting the remaining travel distance of an electric vehicle. The method includes determining a useable battery energy value based on battery state-of-charge and battery capacity and a power value needed to heat or cool a vehicle cabin. The method determines an available battery energy value based on the useable battery energy value and an estimated energy value to provide the vehicle cabin heating or cooling, where the estimated energy value is determined using the power value. The method determines a recent energy used value based on an actual recent HVAC energy used value, a recent energy used value with no HVAC system loads and a recent energy used value with maximum HVAC system loads. The method determines a recent distance traveled value and determines the range by dividing the recent distance traveled value by the recent energy used value and multiplying by the available battery energy value.

Abstract: A method for predicting the remaining travel distance of an electric vehicle. The method includes determining a useable battery energy value based on battery state-of-charge and battery capacity and a power value needed to heat or cool a vehicle cabin. The method determines an available battery energy value based on the useable battery energy value and an estimated energy value to provide the vehicle cabin heating or cooling, where the estimated energy value is determined using the power value. The method determines a recent energy used value based on an actual recent HVAC energy used value, a recent energy used value with no HVAC system loads and a recent energy used value with maximum HVAC system loads. The method determines a recent distance traveled value and determines the range by dividing the recent distance traveled value by the recent energy used value and multiplying by the available battery energy value.