Abstract: A closure assembly including: a cap with an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the inner surface including an interface configured to cooperate with a finish of a fluid reservoir to close the fluid reservoir, and the outer surface including an icon; and a plate mounted to the cap over the outer surface with a retention member, the plate defining an opening through which the icon is visible. The plate is removable from the cap by detaching or severing the retention member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a park brake of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: evaluating tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generating a park brake control signal to activate the park brake of the vehicle.

Abstract: A closure assembly including: a cap with an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the inner surface including an interface configured to cooperate with a finish of a fluid reservoir to close the fluid reservoir, and the outer surface including an icon; and a plate mounted to the cap over the outer surface with a retention member, the plate defining an opening through which the icon is visible. The plate is removable from the cap by detaching or severing the retention member.

Abstract: Composite brake calipers, vehicle with brake calipers, and methods for adjusting brake caliper stiffness are provided. A method for adjusting brake caliper stiffness for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle location envelope of a selected brake caliper; modeling a designed composite brake caliper to conform with the vehicle location envelope and to have an increased stiffness or to conform with a reduced vehicle location envelope; forming an insert component having a selected stiffness; and casting an exterior shell component around the insert component to form a composite brake caliper having the increased stiffness of the designed composite brake caliper and configured to fit within the vehicle location envelope or configured to conform with the reduced vehicle location envelope.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a park brake of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: evaluating tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generating a park brake control signal to activate the park brake of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a passenger compartment and at least one pedal box for controlling vehicle acceleration or braking. The pedal box is movably coupled to an interior structural point disposed within the passenger compartment and movable between first and second positions with respect to the structural point. At least one pedal, actuatable by an occupant, is coupled to the pedal box. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator operably coupled to the pedal box and configured to selectively move the pedal box between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes at least one controller. The controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal box to the first position, and, in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal box to the second position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a passenger compartment and a movable pedal housing which is movable between first and second positions with respect to the passenger compartment. The vehicle additionally includes at least one pedal which is operably coupled to the housing and actuatable by an occupant. The vehicle also includes an actuator operably coupled to the pedal and to the housing. The actuator is configured to apply a resistive force to the pedal to resist motion of the pedal. The actuator is configured to selectively move the housing between the first and second positions. The vehicle further includes at least one controller configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal housing to the first position, and, in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal housing to the second position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a passenger compartment and at least one pedal box for controlling vehicle acceleration or braking. The pedal box is movably coupled to an interior structural point disposed within the passenger compartment and movable between first and second positions with respect to the structural point. At least one pedal, actuatable by an occupant, is coupled to the pedal box. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator operably coupled to the pedal box and configured to selectively move the pedal box between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes at least one controller. The controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal box to the first position, and, in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, control the actuator to move the pedal box to the second position.

Abstract: A brake rotor comprising a brake pad wear surface; a hat surface; and a decorative insert comprising an insert material, the decorative insert disposed on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both; wherein at least one of a friction coefficient between the decorative insert and a brake pad is substantially the same as a friction coefficient between the brake pad wear surface and the brake pad, a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the brake pad wear surface, or a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the hat surface; and at least a portion of the decorative insert is visible on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both.

Abstract: A brake rotor comprising a brake pad wear surface; a hat surface; and a decorative insert comprising an insert material, the decorative insert disposed on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both; wherein at least one of a friction coefficient between the decorative insert and a brake pad is substantially the same as a friction coefficient between the brake pad wear surface and the brake pad, a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the brake pad wear surface, or a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the hat surface; and at least a portion of the decorative insert is visible on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electronic parking brake system is provided. The vehicle includes a braking system having a first rotor and a first caliper. An electric motor is coupled to operate the first caliper. At least one sensor coupled to the vehicle to determine a braking characteristic. A controller electrically is coupled to the electric motor and the at least one sensor, the controller transmitting a first signal to the electric motor in response to receiving a second signal from the at least one sensor and determining that the braking system is performing below a predetermined level, the electric motor actuating the first caliper to apply a clamping force on the first rotor in response to the first signal.

Abstract: Brake system telemetry systems and methods utilize wireless communication technology to communicate brake system data to one or more vehicle electronic control modules. A wireless transceiver is provided and is operably disposed with the brake system components. The wireless transceiver is coupled to receive data from various components of the brake system at the respective and to communicate the data to one or more electronic control units within the vehicle.

Abstract: A ferritically nitrocarburized rotational member of a vehicle brake is disclosed, including a rotational member having a friction surface configured for braking engagement with a corresponding friction material. A compound zone is disposed at the friction surface. An exposed surface of the compound zone is exposed to an atmosphere. The area of the exposed surface includes from about 0 percent to about 14 percent graphite.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a brake rotor including a desired custom marking having a predetermined size and shape. The method includes applying a chemical treatment to a marking portion of a surface of the rotor. The marking portion has a size and shape corresponding to the predetermined size and shape of the desired custom marking. The chemical treatment is configured to affect, in a predetermined manner, an ability of a stimulus, to which the rotor is to be exposed, to alter properties of the rotor. The method also includes exposing the rotor, having the chemical treatment applied thereto, to the stimulus. The stimulus alters properties of the rotor at the marking portion differently than the stimulus alters properties of the rotor at other portions of the rotor adjacent the marking portion, thereby forming physical differences in the rotor, which, being visually perceptible, form the custom marking.

Abstract: A brake rotor for an automotive vehicle braking system includes a brake rotor hat having a generally circular mounting portion, a generally cylindrical wall connected to the mounting portion and being generally symmetrical about an axis, and first and second pluralities of fingers extending radially outward from the wall. Each of the first plurality of fingers and each of the second plurality of fingers has a respective terminal end portion. The terminal end portions of the first plurality of fingers are coplanar about a first plane. The terminal end portions of the second plurality of fingers are not coplanar about the first plane, and are coplanar about a second plane that is parallel with the first plane. A rotor cheek may be cast around the fingers.

Abstract: A ferritically nitrocarburized rotational member of a vehicle brake is disclosed, including a rotational member having a friction surface configured for braking engagement with a corresponding friction material. A compound zone is disposed at the friction surface. An exposed surface of the compound zone is exposed to an atmosphere. The area of the exposed surface includes from about 0 percent to about 14 percent graphite.

Abstract: A brake rotor for an automotive vehicle braking system includes a brake rotor hat having a generally circular mounting portion, a generally cylindrical wall connected to the mounting portion and being generally symmetrical about an axis, and first and second pluralities of fingers extending radially outward from the wall. Each of the first plurality of fingers and each of the second plurality of fingers has a respective terminal end portion. The terminal end portions of the first plurality of fingers are coplanar about a first plane. The terminal end portions of the second plurality of fingers are not coplanar about the first plane, and are coplanar about a second plane that is parallel with the first plane. A rotor cheek may be cast around the fingers.

Abstract: An automotive product having a plurality of components coated with a refractory interface coating and method for making the same are provided. The automotive product may include at least a first component and a second component configured to interconnect and engage one another. The first component may be composed of a first high-density material. The second component may be formed of a second lower-density material. A refractory interface coating may be applied at the interconnection between the first and second components to provide an enhanced surface finish to limit friction, prevent metallurgical bonding between the first material and second material, provide a barrier against galvanic corrosion, and provide a thermal barrier between the first component and second component to guard against thermal deformation or change in dimension of the second component.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly is provided for a vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a knuckle having a tapered inner surface to interface with an outer flange of a bearing. A threaded fastener retains the bearing within the knuckle. A wheel hub couples to an inner flange of the bearing permitting rotation of the wheel hub relative to the knuckle.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly is provided for a vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a knuckle having a tapered inner surface to interface with an outer flange of a bearing. A threaded fastener retains the bearing within the knuckle. A wheel hub couples to an inner flange of the bearing permitting rotation of the wheel hub relative to the knuckle.