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: Systems and methods for determining when one or more cylinders of an engine may be activated or deactivated are presented. In one example, an actual total number of active cylinder modes may be increased in response to engine speed and load. Further, dimensions of an engine cylinder mode region of an engine cylinder activation may be adjusted responsive to a change in mass of a vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, engine volumetric efficiency actuators are adjusted in response to a request to activate engine cylinders so that engine intake manifold pressure is drawn down quickly toward its normal state at the engine's present speed and torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on a number of occupants in the vehicle. In one example, a method may include responsive to detecting zero occupants, reducing NVH constraints for operating the vehicle and adjusting one or more vehicle operating parameters based on the reduced NVH constraints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of deactivated engine cylinders are presented. In one example, intake valve timing of deactivated engine cylinders is advanced to reduce amplitudes of intake pressure pulsations while exhaust valves of the deactivated engine cylinders are held closed. Further, intake valve timing of deactivated cylinders may be advanced responsive to output of an intake manifold pressure sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining when one or more cylinders of an engine may be activated or deactivated are presented. In one example, an actual total number of active cylinder modes may be increased in response to engine speed and load. Further, dimensions of an engine cylinder mode region of an engine cylinder activation may be adjusted responsive to a change in mass of a vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, an estimate of an amount of oil that may intrude into a deactivated cylinder is made. The deactivated cylinder may be reactivated in response to the amount of oil estimated to be in the deactivated cylinder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of an engine air intake throttle is adjusted during cylinder deactivation to control intake manifold pressure for cylinder reactivation. Closing of the throttle may be timed based on an actual total number of cylinder induction events expected to provide a desired engine intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. A common engine block and cylinder head may be used in two different vehicles where a first of the two different vehicles includes valves of selected cylinders that are always active when the first of the two different vehicles is operating. The second of the two different vehicles includes valves of selected cylinders that are always active when the second of the two different vehicles is operating, the valves of the selected cylinders of the second vehicle different from the valves of the selected cylinders of the first vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, engine volumetric efficiency actuators are adjusted in response to a request to activate engine cylinders so that engine intake manifold pressure is drawn down quickly toward its normal state at the engine's present speed and torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves is presented. In one example, the engine may include non-deactivating intake valves, deactivating intake valves, and only non-deactivating exhaust valves. The non-deactivating exhaust valves may operate to open and close during an engine cycle while deactivating intake valves remain closed during the engine cycle to prevent air flow through selected engine cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, fuel supplied to cylinders being reactivated is supplied by direct fuel injectors even though the engine is operating in a region (e.g., speed and torque) where under conditions where cylinders are not being reactivated the engine injects fuel solely via port fuel injectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag by directing intake air from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold. The intake air may be directed via an EGR passage by opening an EGR valve or by may be directed via engine cylinders by increasing positive valve overlap. Amounts of air directed via external EGR and air directed via positive valve overlap are based on engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag by directing intake air from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold. The intake air may be directed via an EGR passage by opening an EGR valve or by may be directed via engine cylinders by increasing positive valve overlap. Amounts of air directed via external EGR and air directed via positive valve overlap are based on engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a charge air cooler fan or charge air cooler coolant pump and an engine cooling fan and/or vehicle grille shutters based on a target manifold charge air temperature. In one example, the grille shutter position and/or engine cooling fan speed may be adjusted based on a difference between a target manifold charge air temperature and a temperature of the charge air cooler cooling medium. Further, the charge air cooler fan speed or charge air cooler coolant pump speed may be adjusted based on a difference between a charge air cooler inlet charge air temperature and the target manifold charge air temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.