Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system, a selector, and a display. The selector is operable in one of a first selection mode and a second selection mode for selecting respective ones of a first driving mode and a second driving mode for the vehicle. The control system is configured to detect an improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode. When the vehicle is in the first driving mode and the selector is transitioned from the first selection mode to the second selection mode during the occurrence of the improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode, the control system is configured to facilitate display of a warning message on the warning display indicating the improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode and inhibit the vehicle from transitioning from the first driving mode to the second driving mode. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an exhaust system, and a plurality of active exhaust valves configured to modulate an exhaust flow through the exhaust system. A controller is configured to detect an ignition state of the vehicle, determine whether any of the plurality of active exhaust valves has malfunctioned, and, upon determining that all of the plurality of active exhaust valves were operating normally when the ignition state transitioned from a first on state to a first off state and that all of the plurality of active exhaust valves have malfunctioned when the ignition state transitions from the first off state to a second on state, enable normal operation of an engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling alternator voltage during a remote engine start (“RES”) event is provided. The method includes receiving an RES command into at least one control unit of the system. The method further includes starting an engine in response to receiving the RES command and operating an alternator in a first voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a first voltage V1 to charge a vehicle battery. The method further includes detecting a brake pedal has been pressed with a brake switch. The method further includes operating the alternator in a second voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a second voltage V2, which is less than the first voltage V1, to charge the vehicle battery based on detecting the brake pedal has been pressed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an exhaust system, and a plurality of active exhaust valves configured to modulate an exhaust flow through the exhaust system. A controller is configured to detect an ignition state of the vehicle, determine whether any of the plurality of active exhaust valves has malfunctioned, and, upon determining that all of the plurality of active exhaust valves were operating normally when the ignition state transitioned from a first on state to a first off state and that all of the plurality of active exhaust valves have malfunctioned when the ignition state transitions from the first off state to a second on state, enable normal operation of an engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system, a selector, and a display. The selector is operable in one of a first selection mode and a second selection mode for selecting respective ones of a first driving mode and a second driving mode for the vehicle. The control system is configured to detect an improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode. When the vehicle is in the first driving mode and the selector is transitioned from the first selection mode to the second selection mode during the occurrence of the improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode, the control system is configured to facilitate display of a warning message on the warning display indicating the improper vehicular condition for the second driving mode and inhibit the vehicle from transitioning from the first driving mode to the second driving mode. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling alternator voltage during a remote engine start (“RES”) event is provided. The method includes receiving an RES command into at least one control unit of the system. The method further includes starting an engine in response to receiving the RES command and operating an alternator in a first voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a first voltage V1 to charge a vehicle battery. The method further includes detecting a brake pedal has been pressed with a brake switch. The method further includes operating the alternator in a second voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a second voltage V2, which is less than the first voltage V1, to charge the vehicle battery based on detecting the brake pedal has been pressed.

Abstract: A starter relay structure for a vehicle, where an electronic control unit of the vehicle controls the starter relay structure. The starter relay structure comprises a first relay and a second relay activated by an ignition signal from the electronic control unit. The starter relay structure further include a third relay activated by an output of the second relay, where an output of the first relay is provided as an input to the third relay.

Abstract: An engine idle stability control method and system using feedback from alternator of a motor vehicle is described. An excitation current of the alternator is detected and used to predict an alternator torque value. The predicted alternator torque is used to determine an adjustment to engine torque output. Engine torque output is adjusted to compensate for the predicted alternator torque and engine idle stability is maintained.

Abstract: An engine idle stability control method and system using feedback from alternator of a motor vehicle is described. An excitation current of the alternator is detected and used to predict an alternator torque value. The predicted alternator torque is used to determine an adjustment to engine torque output. Engine torque output is adjusted to compensate for the predicted alternator torque and engine idle stability is maintained.

Abstract: A starter relay structure for a vehicle, where an electronic control unit of the vehicle controls the starter relay structure. The starter relay structure comprises a first relay and a second relay activated by an ignition signal from the electronic control unit. The starter relay structure further include a third relay activated by an output of the second relay, where an output of the first relay is provided as an input to the third relay.