Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, automatic transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to auto-start and auto-stop. The automatic transmission has a shift-by-wire gear selector. The controller is programmed to, in response to shifting the gear selector to a neutral position while the engine is running, command the engine to auto-stop.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller programmed to autostop and autostart the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to receiving signals indicative of a driver exiting the vehicle while the engine is auto stopped, autostart the engine, and after expiration of a predetermined duration, autostop the engine and inhibit vehicle propulsion until an ignition cycle is initiated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, automatic transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to auto-start and auto-stop. The automatic transmission has a shift-by-wire gear selector. The controller is programmed to, in response to shifting the gear selector to a neutral position while the engine is running, command the engine to auto-stop.

Abstract: A vehicle engine start/stop control method includes shifting an automatic transmission to a park or neutral position and auto-stopping the engine in response the automatic transmission being in the park or neutral position for a predetermined period of time that begins with a shift of the automatic transmission to the park or neutral position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an engine, a plurality of electrical load subsystems, and at least one controller. During an auto start of the engine, the at least one controller detects a starter disengage condition. In response to detecting the starter disengage condition, the at least one controller periodically determines a value of an operating parameter associated with the vehicle, causes a first subset of the electrical load subsystems to be enabled when the value of the operating parameter falls with a first predefined range of values, and causes a second subset of the electrical load subsystems to be enabled when the value of the operating parameter falls within a second predefined range of values.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a controller that initiates a start of the engine in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery falling below an engine start threshold, initiates a stop of the engine in response to the SOC exceeding an engine stop threshold, and adjusts a value of the engine start threshold based on whether a load remote from the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.

Abstract: A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and an electric parking brake. A controller activates the electric parking brake in response to the powertrain transitioning to an off state that inhibits production of propulsive torque during an ignition cycle when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed and in a presence of conditions that inhibit the powertrain from transitioning to an on state that permits production of propulsive torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured for autostop and autostart. The vehicle further includes an electric actuator for an active front steering system. Before the engine is autostopped, a controlled decrease in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated. After the engine is autostarted, a controlled increase in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, electrical loads, and at least one controller. While the engine is on, the controller calculates the change in current demand of the electrical loads expected from turning the engine off. The decision to command the engine off is then based on the expected change in current demand. Electrical loads that will change state from on to off when the engine is turned off will increase the expected change in current demand. Electrical loads that will change state from off to on when the engine is turned off will decrease the expected change in current demand. Operating conditions associated with the electrical loads, such as operating voltage, temperature, and speed, may affect the expected change in current demand.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrical load and a stop/start system. The stop/start system selectively auto stops the engine when a speed of the vehicle is approximately zero, and in response to a request to activate the electrical load while the engine is auto stopped, auto starts the engine prior to activating the electrical load.

Abstract: A method for maximizing the availability of start-stop operations within a microhybrid vehicle includes determining the electric current drawn by a set of electrical components of the vehicle, from the vehicle's battery. The internal resistance of the vehicle's battery, and the resistance of a starter motor loop circuit coupled to the engine of the vehicle are dynamically calculated. The closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted, using the internal resistance of the battery, the resistance of the starter motor loop circuit, and the current drawn by the set of electrical components of the vehicle. The start-stop operation is carried out if the closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted to be above a pre-determined minimum value.

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 system and method for controlling an automatic stop-start system of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system monitors the status of the parking brake to determine if the parking brake is in a state of transition between an applied state and a released state (in either direction). If the parking brake is in a state of transition, then the automatic re-starting of the engine is inhibited until the parking brake is no longer in a state of transition.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automatic stop-start system of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system monitors the status of the parking brake to determine if the parking brake is in a state of transition between an applied state and a released state (in either direction). If the parking brake is in a state of transition, then the automatic re-starting of the engine is inhibited until the parking brake is no longer in a state of transition.