Abstract: Theft deterrent systems and methods using onboard weight sensors are disclosed herein. An example method can include obtaining an image of a location where a scale is located in a vehicle, the scale being used for cargo weight measurement, determining from the image, when the location of the scale is located is empty, determining a weight value output by the scale, determining an offset for the scale when the weight value is greater than a weight threshold, and adjusting the scale using the offset to zero the scale.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for combining two or more common fuel vapor storage canisters to increase storage volume for fuel vapors of a vehicle. In one example, a fuel vapor manifold is constructed to permit communication between ports of carbon filled fuel vapor storage canisters. The fuel vapor manifold is a clam shell design that permits vibration welding.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel vapor recovery system having first, second, and third canisters and a plurality of control valves includes (i) performing a leak test; (ii) in response to the pressure of the entirety of the fuel vapor recovery system increasing to less than a threshold value from a target vacuum pressure within a predetermined period after obtaining the target vacuum pressure during the leak test, outputting a signal indicating that the fuel vapor recovery system is not leaking; and (iii) in response to the pressure of the entirety of the fuel vapor recovery system increasing to greater than the threshold value from the target vacuum pressure within the predetermined period after obtaining the target vacuum pressure during the leak test, outputting a signal indicating that the fuel vapor recovery system is leaking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing reverse dig mode and/or reverse drive mode. Reverse dig mode may involve determining an inner front wheel and outer front wheel relative to steering controls and simultaneously applying a forward torque to the inner front wheel of the vehicle and a reverse torque to the outer front wheel of the vehicle. Reverse drive mode may involve determining steering controls of a vehicle and applying inverted controls to the rear wheels of the vehicle that provides a simulated sense that the driver is handling the vehicle in the forward direction.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods that minimize walking inside a multi-level parking structure. An example method that may be performed by a processor can include determining a first walking distance between a first unoccupied parking spot on a first parking level of a multi-level parking structure and a destination located outside the multi-level parking structure and can further include determining a second walking distance between a second unoccupied parking spot on a second parking level of the multi-level parking structure and the destination located outside the multi-level parking structure. The first walking distance is compared to the second walking distance and based on a shorter of the first walking distance and the second walking distance, guidance is provided to drive to one of the first unoccupied parking spot or the second unoccupied parking spot. The guidance may be provided via an infotainment system of the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to vehicle load balancing systems and methods. An example method executed by a processor includes receiving, from a weight sensor, a first weight measurement of a cargo item placed upon a cargo bed of a vehicle and further includes receiving a second weight measurement from the weight sensor after detecting that the vehicle is in motion. The processor then determines, based on detecting a difference between the first weight measurement and the second weight measurement that the cargo item has shifted from a first spot to a second spot on the cargo bed. The example method can further involve placing the cargo bed in a tilted configuration followed by configuring the vehicle to jerk sporadically while traveling in a first direction that is selected to shift the cargo item back from the second spot to the first spot on the cargo bed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a canister, a heater, a bellows, and a valve. The fuel tank is configured to store fuel. The canister is configured to receive and store evaporated fuel from the fuel tank. The heater disposed within the canister. The bellows is disposed within the fuel tank. The bellows is configured to regulate the pressure within the fuel tank. The valve is configured to isolate an internal volume of the bellows from the canister when in a first position. The valve is configured to establish fluid communication between the internal volume of the bellows and the canister when in a second position.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic control unit of a vehicle, to monitor tires of the vehicle. The method includes evaluating a target location to monitor the vehicle tires. Based on the evaluation that the target location is fit to monitor the tires, the method includes initiating a monitoring mode of the vehicle. In response to initiating the monitoring mode, the method includes rotating front tires and back tires of the vehicle in opposite directions. During the rotation of the front and back tires, the method includes monitoring the rotation of the tires by using one or more vehicle sensors. The method further includes determining one or more anomalies in the vehicle tires based on the monitoring of the rotation of the front and back tires. Based on the determination, the method includes performing one or more remedial actions to mitigate the anomalies.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to parking assistance systems and methods. An example method can include determining, by a processor of a parking assistance system in a first vehicle, a first swing out arc radius of a door of the first vehicle and/or a second swing out arc radius of a door of a second vehicle that is parked adjacent to the first vehicle. The swing out arc radius of a door may, for example, be determined based on vehicle specifications or on data provided by a distance measuring sensor. The processor may then provide to an autonomous driving system of the first vehicle and/or a driver of the first vehicle, guidance for positioning the first vehicle in a parking spot, based, on the first swing out arc radius of the door of the first vehicle and/or the second swing out arc radius of the door of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for reducing turn radius of a vehicle may include a speed sensor to determine a vehicle speed, a steering angle sensor to determine turn angle, and a controller operably coupled to the speed sensor and the steering angle sensor to determine a tight turn event based on the vehicle speed and the turn angle, responsive to the tight turn event, determine driving surface information for a surface on which the vehicle is operating, and set a target speed for an inside rear wheel of the vehicle during a turn causing the determination of the tight turn event based on the driving surface information.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a canister, a heater, a bellows, and a valve. The fuel tank is configured to store fuel. The canister is configured to receive and store evaporated fuel from the fuel tank. The heater disposed within the canister. The bellows is disposed within the fuel tank. The bellows is configured to regulate the pressure within the fuel tank. The valve is configured to isolate an internal volume of the bellows from the canister when in a first position. The valve is configured to establish fluid communication between the internal volume of the bellows and the canister when in a second position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel vapor recovery system having first, second, and third canisters and a plurality of control valves includes (i) performing a leak test; (ii) in response to the pressure of the entirety of the fuel vapor recovery system increasing to less than a threshold value from a target vacuum pressure within a predetermined period after obtaining the target vacuum pressure during the leak test, outputting a signal indicating that the fuel vapor recovery system is not leaking; and (iii) in response to the pressure of the entirety of the fuel vapor recovery system increasing to greater than the threshold value from the target vacuum pressure within the predetermined period after obtaining the target vacuum pressure during the leak test, outputting a signal indicating that the fuel vapor recovery system is leaking.

Abstract: This disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods related to tire air pressure notifications. An example method that can be executed by a processor in a vehicle can include detecting a tire inflation operation performed upon a wheel of the vehicle and determining that air is escaping out of a tire of the wheel of the vehicle during the tire inflation operation. The processor may then issue an alert based on determining that air is escaping out of the tire. The alert may be provided in various ways such as, for example, via a haptic signal transmitted through a vibration element located in the wheel of the vehicle and/or by waggling the wheel of the vehicle. In an example implementation, waggling the wheel of the vehicle may be carried out by the processor by operating a steering wheel control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a front wheel, a rear wheel, a steering system, a sensing system, and a controller. The front wheel and the rear wheel are arranged on a first side of the vehicle. The steering system controls a directionality of the front wheel and a directionality of the rear wheel. The sensing system senses an exterior environment adjacent to the first side of the vehicle. The sensing system also senses a pitch of the vehicle. The controller controls the directionality of at least one wheel chosen from the front wheel and the rear wheel based on the sensed exterior environment, the sensed pitch of the vehicle, and the vehicle being in a parked condition.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for heating a fluid being transported in a vehicle. An example method includes identifying, by a processor, a target fluid temperature and determining, based on the target fluid temperature, a separation distance between a tank attached to an underbody of the vehicle and an inductive heating element embedded in a road. The processor lowers the tank to a heating position above the inductive heating element based on the separation distance, and retains the tank in the heating position for using the inductive heating element to heat a fluid contained in the tank. The processor may raise the tank to a retracted position upon determining that the fluid has been heated to the target fluid temperature. The processor re-lowers the tank to the heating position upon detecting a drop in temperature of the fluid when the tank is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A data map is modeled to generate a modeled data map, the data map including a calibration to control vehicle operation over various weather conditions encountered by a vehicle, the modeled data map characterizing data elements of the data map according to a mathematical model. The modeled data map is sent to the vehicle to expand into at least a portion of the data map to control the vehicle operation.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a first scenario in which a vehicle is operating from a plurality of scenarios, prompt an operator to activate an adaptive cruise control of the vehicle in response to a preference score for the first scenario being above a threshold, refrain from prompting the operator to activate the adaptive cruise control in response to the preference score for the first scenario being below the threshold, and activate the adaptive cruise control in response to receiving an input to activate the adaptive cruise control from the operator. The scenarios indicate at least one characteristic of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The preference score indicates a preference of the operator for activating the adaptive cruise control in the first scenario.

Abstract: A system to display liquid levels in vehicle auxiliary tanks is disclosed. The vehicle includes a plurality of auxiliary tanks disposed on a vehicle cargo bed. The vehicle further includes a first detection unit to detect a user activity associated with the plurality of auxiliary tanks, and a second detection unit to measure a vehicle weight. The vehicle further includes a control unit to identify a first auxiliary tank, from the plurality of auxiliary tanks, which is associated with the user activity. The control unit further determines a vehicle weight change based on the measurement of weight and an initial vehicle weight. In addition, the control unit correlates first auxiliary tank identification and weight change determination, and calculates a liquid level change associated with the first auxiliary tank. Responsive to the calculation, the control unit displays the liquid level change on a user interface.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic control unit of a vehicle, to monitor tires of the vehicle. The method includes evaluating a target location to monitor the vehicle tires. Based on the evaluation that the target location is fit to monitor the tires, the method includes initiating a monitoring mode of the vehicle. In response to initiating the monitoring mode, the method includes rotating front tires and back tires of the vehicle in opposite directions. During the rotation of the front and back tires, the method includes monitoring the rotation of the tires by using one or more vehicle sensors. The method further includes determining one or more anomalies in the vehicle tires based on the monitoring of the rotation of the front and back tires. Based on the determination, the method includes performing one or more remedial actions to mitigate the anomalies.

Abstract: A system and method performed by a first vehicle may include receiving a message from a second vehicle regarding a cargo overhang condition of the second vehicle in which an object carried by the second vehicle extends beyond a perimeter or envelope of the second vehicle, and adjusting an operation of the first vehicle based upon the cargo overhang condition of the second vehicle.