Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting an ejector system diagnostic under conditions where an engine of a vehicle is not combusting air and fuel. In one example, a method comprises directing a positive pressure to the ejector system while the engine is off in order to communicate a negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure on a fuel system and an evaporative emissions system of the vehicle, and indicating that the ejector system is degraded responsive to the negative pressure not reaching a vacuum build threshold. In this way, the ejector system may be diagnosed under conditions where boosted engine operation is infrequent and/or of durations insufficient for conducting such an ejector system diagnostic.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an extent of clogging of a canister filter included in a fuel vapor storage canister of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises determining an extent to which the canister filter is clogged based on an output of an exhaust gas sensor, and adjusting one or more parameters related to purging of the fuel vapor storage canister as a function of the extent to which the canister filter is clogged. In this way, canister lifetime may be improved, and release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling an overheated engine using a combination of variable displacement engine (VDE) technology and direct injection technology. In one example, a method may include deactivating a subset of engine cylinders based on an engine temperature and directly injecting liquid fuel into the deactivated cylinders. In this way, an increased thermal conductivity of the liquid fuel compared to air decreases the engine temperature at a faster rate than when air-based engine cooling methods are used, thereby preventing overheating-related engine degradation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine stall incidence during canister purging. A fuel vapor canister is purged at a higher purge ramp rate to an engine with one or more cylinders selectively deactivated. In response to an indication of potential or partial engine stall, the deactivated cylinders are reactivated and the canister purge ramp rate is lowered.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preparing an energy receiving apparatus of a vehicle for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage prior to a vehicle reaching an energy replenishment station for receiving the increase. In one example, a method comprises via a controller, requesting a confirmation as to whether a vehicle operator intends to stop at a particular energy replenishment station, and when confirmation is received, commanding one or more actions to prepare the energy receiving apparatus for accepting the energy level increase. In this way, a time-frame for accepting the energy level increase may be reduced as compared to situations where the one or more actions are not undertaken.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preparing an energy receiving apparatus of a vehicle for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage prior to a vehicle reaching an energy replenishment station for receiving the increase. In one example, a method comprises preparing an energy receiving apparatus for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage while the vehicle is traveling to the energy replenishment station, in response to a vehicle operator confirming at the controller an intent to stop at the energy replenishment station to increase the level of energy storage at the energy receiving apparatus. In this way, a time-frame for increasing the energy level increase may be reduced as compared to situations where such preparations are not undertaken.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for inferring a current operational state of one or more fuel tank grade vent valves. In one example, a method comprises predicting an upcoming fuel slosh event in a fuel tank positioned in a fuel system of a vehicle, and in response to such a prediction, sealing the fuel system within a threshold duration of the upcoming fuel slosh event and diagnosing a grade vent valve as a function of fuel level in the tank at the time of the fuel slosh event and a pressure monitored in the fuel system during the fuel slosh event. In this way, issues related to fuel tank overpressurization and/or release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank of a vehicle by routing fuel tank vapors to an engine for combustion. In one example, a method may include reducing a pressure in the fuel tank by routing vapors from the fuel tank through a portion of a fuel vapor storage canister and, in response to an indication of a condition of degraded engine stability, re-routing the vapors from the fuel tank through an entirety of the fuel vapor storage canister. In this way, under conditions of degraded engine stability, a rate at which fuel tank vapors are directed to the engine may be reduced, which may thus mitigate the condition of degraded engine stability without aborting the operation to reduce the fuel tank pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an efficiency of a purging operation of a fuel vapor storage canister of a vehicle, the fuel vapor storage canister configured to capture and store fuel vapors stemming from a fuel tank of the vehicle. As one example, a method comprises reactivating one or more cylinders of an engine during a purging operation, in response to an indication that the purging of stored fuel vapors from the fuel vapor storage canister is compromised as a result of fuel vaporization stemming from the fuel tank. In this way, the canister may be effectively cleaned even under high fuel vaporization circumstances, which may improve fuel economy and may reduce release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank of a vehicle by routing fuel tank vapors to an engine for combustion. In one example, a method may include reducing a pressure in the fuel tank by routing vapors from the fuel tank through a portion of a fuel vapor storage canister and, in response to an indication of a condition of degraded engine stability, re-routing the vapors from the fuel tank through an entirety of the fuel vapor storage canister. In this way, under conditions of degraded engine stability, a rate at which fuel tank vapors are directed to the engine may be reduced, which may thus mitigate the condition of degraded engine stability without aborting the operation to reduce the fuel tank pressure.

Abstract: A capless fuel system comprises a fuel inlet body, a flapper pivotably mounted within the fuel inlet body, a biasing member associated with the flapper, an axially movable shaft associated with the biasing member, and a tension calibrator associated with the biasing member, whereby tension on the controller spring may be adjusted by the calibrator. The biasing member may be of a variety of biasing elements but is preferably a controller spring. The shaft is reversibly movable from a tensioning position in which the electromechanical driver assembly is deactivated to a tension-lowering position in which the electromechanical driver assembly is activated. The capless fuel system includes a fuel pump nozzle position sensing system. The capless fuel system relies upon a single, multi-function flapper that functions as both the capless fuel system debris cover and a sealing member to prevent evaporative emission leaks.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for inferring a current operational state of one or more fuel tank grade vent valves. In one example, a method comprises predicting an upcoming fuel slosh event in a fuel tank positioned in a fuel system of a vehicle, and in response to such a prediction, sealing the fuel system within a threshold duration of the upcoming fuel slosh event and diagnosing a grade vent valve as a function of fuel level in the tank at the time of the fuel slosh event and a pressure monitored in the fuel system during the fuel slosh event. In this way, issues related to fuel tank overpressurization and/or release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing improving customer satisfaction during a vehicle fuel tank refueling event. A fuel system is configured with a three-way isolation valve and a four port canister. Fuel tank depressurization is expedited by directing fuel tank vapors to a dedicated depressurization port of the canister.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing a working capacity of a fuel vapor storage canister positioned in an evaporative emissions system configured to capture and store fuel vapors from a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises, in response to fuel vapor being adsorbed by, or desorbed from, the fuel vapor canister, sealing the evaporative emissions system and indicating degradation of the fuel vapor canister in response to a monitored pressure change in the evaporative emissions system less than a threshold pressure change. In this way, working capacity of the fuel vapor storage canister is inferred, which may allow for a reduction in undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving customer satisfaction during a vehicle fuel tank refueling event. A customer refilling fuel in a fuel tank is provided a real-time update regarding the status of a fuel system, including a time remaining until the fuel tank is depressurized and ready to receive fuel. The update is provided visually by projecting the countdown on a ground surface via a puddle light, and acoustically via an external microphone or speaker of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle having an air dam for improving vehicle aerodynamics. In one example, during steady-state vehicle cruising, a baseline fuel economy for the vehicle is established with the air dam deployed. Then, the air dam is actively retracted and air dam hardware issues are identified based on a change in fuel economy following the commanded change in air dam position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing bleed emissions and exhaust emissions from a vehicle that may be operated autonomously as well as part of a car-sharing model. A parking location of the vehicle is selected at the end of a vehicle event requested by an operator as a function of fuel system and evaporative emissions system variables such that the solar loading of the parking location enables reduced emissions. The parking location selection is further coordinated with the pick-up time and location of a subsequent vehicle event requested by another vehicle operator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle having an air dam for improving vehicle aerodynamics. In one example, during steady-state vehicle cruising, a baseline fuel economy for the vehicle is established with the air dam deployed. Then, the air dam is actively retracted and air dam hardware issues are identified based on a change in fuel economy following the commanded change in air dam position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller, programmed to responsive to user input to pick up an item at a shop, calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to the shop and a predicted preparation time for the item by the shop; and responsive to a current time being within a grace period to the preparation time before the ETA, place an order for the item.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing degradation and issues related to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) for a canister purge valve. In one example, a method may include sequentially increasing a duty cycle of a canister purge valve over a course of a purging operation to purge fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor canister to an intake of an engine, while timing opening and closing events of the canister purge valve to coincide with pressure differences lower than a threshold in terms of pressure oscillations across the canister purge valve. In this way, purging of the canister may be efficient while additionally reducing degradation and NVH issues related to the CPV.