Abstract: A vehicle ventilating/cooling system may include at least one sun-load sensor arranged within the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a sun-load signal indicating a sun-load level from the sensor and programmed to instruct at least one cooling component to conduct a purge of vehicle cabin air in response to the sun-load level exceeding a sun-load threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle ventilating/cooling system may include at least one sun-load sensor arranged within the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a sun-load signal indicating a sun-load level from the sensor and programmed to instruct at least one cooling component to conduct a purge of vehicle cabin air in response to the sun-load level exceeding a sun-load threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling power to a vehicle accessory gradually shuts down power to the vehicle accessory and gradually restores power to the vehicle accessory. After a request for an auto-shutdown of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is detected, power to the vehicle accessory is reduced on a predetermined schedule responsive to such detection. The occurrence of a restart of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is determined, and power supplied to the vehicle accessory is increased on a predetermined schedule responsive to the restart.

Abstract: A method of controlling power to a vehicle accessory gradually shuts down power to the vehicle accessory and gradually restores power to the vehicle accessory. After a request for an auto-shutdown of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is detected, power to the vehicle accessory is reduced on a predetermined schedule responsive to such detection. The occurrence of a restart of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is determined, and power supplied to the vehicle accessory is increased on a predetermined schedule responsive to the restart.

Abstract: A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.

Abstract: A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.

Abstract: A method for adapting a vehicle climate control system to a user comfort preference includes performing an adjustment strategy in response to assertion of at least one user-generated signal at less than a predetermined level and during less than a predetermined time interval and performing at least one adaptive strategy in response to assertion of the user-generated signal at greater than the predetermined level during the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 12 for quickly heating a portion of a vehicle 10, such as a windshield 22 or backwindow 20. Particularly, apparatus 12 includes several conductors 40 which are coupled to electrical ground potential 42 and which have opposed ends 44, 46 which are alternatingly coupled to a source of energy 26, thereby allowing the portion of the vehicle 10 to be quickly heated.