Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In an embodiments, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device, target deceleration values associated with the vehicle not towing the trailer; when the vehicle towing the trailer is determined to be braking, determining, by a processor, that a target deceleration value of the target deceleration values is not met, adjusting a brake sensitivity value associated with trailer braking based on the target deceleration value; and controlling deceleration of the towing vehicle based on the brake sensitivity value.

Abstract: Presented are driver alert systems with control logic for powertrain energy tracking and reporting, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with alert systems for providing driver cues to indicate real-time potential energy buildup in the powertrain. A method of operating a driver alert system for an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving a selection of a powertrain operating mode. Responsive to the received selection, the vehicle controller determines a buildup of output torque generated via an electric traction motor for an impending vehicle maneuver associated with the selected powertrain operating mode. The controller accesses a memory-stored, torque-based lookup table to retrieve an output level calibrated to an in-vehicle sensory output device and corresponding to an output torque value for the determined torque buildup.

Abstract: Presented are driver alert systems with control logic for powertrain energy tracking and reporting, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with alert systems for providing driver cues to indicate real-time potential energy buildup in the powertrain. A method of operating a driver alert system for an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving a selection of a powertrain operating mode. Responsive to the received selection, the vehicle controller determines a buildup of output torque generated via an electric traction motor for an impending vehicle maneuver associated with the selected powertrain operating mode. The controller accesses a memory-stored, torque-based lookup table to retrieve an output level calibrated to an in-vehicle sensory output device and corresponding to an output torque value for the determined torque buildup.

Abstract: A brake pedal portion is configured to be contacted by a driver; an arm portion is connected to the brake portion and is configured to, in response to force being applied to the brake pedal portion, move in a first direction away from a first predetermined position and toward a second predetermined position; a detent mechanism is configured to: apply a first biasing force to the arm portion in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when a position of the arm portion is between the first predetermined position and a third predetermined position between the first and second predetermined positions; and apply a second biasing force to the arm portion in the second direction opposite to the first direction when the position of the arm portion is between the third and second predetermined positions, where the first biasing force is different than the second biasing force.

Abstract: An audio adjustment system for a vehicle includes a detection module that is configured to receive an image and detect a face of at least one of a passenger of the vehicle and a pedestrian near the vehicle. An age estimation module is configured to estimate an age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian based on the detected face. An adjustment determination module is configured to determine an audio adjustment parameter for an audio signal based on the estimated age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian.

Abstract: An audio adjustment system for a vehicle includes a detection module that is configured to receive an image and detect a face of at least one of a passenger of the vehicle and a pedestrian near the vehicle. An age estimation module is configured to estimate an age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian based on the detected face. An adjustment determination module is configured to determine an audio adjustment parameter for an audio signal based on the estimated age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian.

Abstract: A brake pedal portion is configured to be contacted by a driver; an arm portion is connected to the brake portion and is configured to, in response to force being applied to the brake pedal portion, move in a first direction away from a first predetermined position and toward a second predetermined position; a detent mechanism is configured to: apply a first biasing force to the arm portion in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when a position of the arm portion is between the first predetermined position and a third predetermined position between the first and second predetermined positions; and apply a second biasing force to the arm portion in the second direction opposite to the first direction when the position of the arm portion is between the third and second predetermined positions, where the first biasing force is different than the second biasing force.

Abstract: An audio system of a vehicle includes a selection module configured to, based on whether a gear shift of a transmission of the vehicle is occurring, set a selected torque to one of: a torque output of an engine of the vehicle; and a predicted torque output of the engine. A sound control module is configured to: determine frequencies for outputting a predetermined engine sound; and based on the selected torque, determine magnitudes for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequencies, respectively. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to speakers to output sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle at the magnitudes and frequencies, respectively.

Abstract: An audio system of a vehicle includes a selection module configured to, based on whether a gear shift of a transmission of the vehicle is occurring, set a selected torque to one of: a torque output of an engine of the vehicle; and a predicted torque output of the engine. A sound control module is configured to: determine frequencies for outputting a predetermined engine sound; and based on the selected torque, determine magnitudes for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequencies, respectively. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to speakers to output sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle at the magnitudes and frequencies, respectively.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a particulate filter, a variable valve, and a controller communicatively connected to the variable valve. The controller is operative to determine a backpressure caused by the particulate filter in the exhaust system, and control a position of the variable valve as a function of the backpressure caused by the particulate filter.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that generates exhaust gas and an exhaust system that expels the exhaust gas from the vehicle via at least one of a first exhaust conduit and a second exhaust conduit. A disturbance sensor is installed within a cabin of the vehicle, and is configured to detect a disturbance within the cabin and to output a disturbance signal indicative of the disturbance. An exhaust valve has a plurality of positions and adjusts an amount of the exhaust gas delivered to the first and second exhaust conduits. The automotive vehicle further includes an electronic hardware controller in signal communication with the at least one disturbance sensor and the exhaust valve. The controller adjusts the position of the exhaust valve based on the disturbance signal to reduce the disturbance within the cabin.

Abstract: When the engine is off and not combusting fuel for one of an auto-stop portion of an auto-stop/start event and operation in a sail mode, a selection module sets at least one of: a selected torque based on a pseudo torque output of the engine; and a selected engine speed based on a pseudo engine speed determined for the one of the auto-stop portion of the auto-stop/start event and the operation in the sail mode. A sound control module, based on the at least one of the selected engine speed and the selected torque, sets at least one of: a frequency at which to output a predetermined engine sound; and a magnitude for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequency. An audio driver module applies power to at least one speaker of the vehicle to output the predetermined engine sound at the frequency and the magnitude.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle having an automated driving system configured to control a vehicle subsystem includes determining an autonomous actuation event for the vehicle subsystem. The method additionally includes detecting a presence of a vehicle occupant. The method also includes, in response to an anticipated change in vehicle dynamics based on the determined actuation event and to the detected presence of the vehicle occupant, providing a notification to the occupant before initiation of the actuation event. The method further includes generating an actuation command based on the actuation event and controlling the vehicle subsystem according to the actuation command via the automated driving system.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a particulate filter, a variable valve, and a controller communicatively connected to the variable valve. The controller is operative to determine a backpressure caused by the particulate filter in the exhaust system, and control a position of the variable valve as a function of the backpressure caused by the particulate filter.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that generates exhaust gas and an exhaust system that expels the exhaust gas from the vehicle via at least one of a first exhaust conduit and a second exhaust conduit. A disturbance sensor is installed within a cabin of the vehicle, and is configured to detect a disturbance within the cabin and to output a disturbance signal indicative of the disturbance. An exhaust valve has a plurality of positions and adjusts an amount of the exhaust gas delivered to the first and second exhaust conduits. The automotive vehicle further includes an electronic hardware controller in signal communication with the at least one disturbance sensor and the exhaust valve. The controller adjusts the position of the exhaust valve based on the disturbance signal to reduce the disturbance within the cabin.

Abstract: When the engine is off and not combusting fuel for one of an auto-stop portion of an auto-stop/start event and operation in a sail mode, a selection module sets at least one of: a selected torque based on a pseudo torque output of the engine; and a selected engine speed based on a pseudo engine speed determined for the one of the auto-stop portion of the auto-stop/start event and the operation in the sail mode. A sound control module, based on the at least one of the selected engine speed and the selected torque, sets at least one of: a frequency at which to output a predetermined engine sound; and a magnitude for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequency. An audio driver module applies power to at least one speaker of the vehicle to output the predetermined engine sound at the frequency and the magnitude.

Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust noise in a vehicle includes a variable exhaust valve for an exhaust system, and an exhaust valve controller operatively connectable to the variable exhaust valve. The exhaust valve controller is configured to retrieve two or more control conditions, and determine an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions. The exhaust valve controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the operational intent and the two or more control conditions, and transmit the control signal to the variable exhaust valve. The control signal changes an exhaust valve position of the variable exhaust valve. The exhaust valve position is configured to create an exhaust noise response associated with the operational intent.