Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, activating an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while the UVGI system may supplement the heat sanitizing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while receiving power from an external power source and responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, operating an electric heater of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration using the power received from the external power source. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while vehicle battery power and fuel are conserved by using power supplied from the external power source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilization of vehicle speed and barometric pressure sensors. In one example, a method may include measuring a change in a barometric pressure resulting from a measured change in a vehicle speed, modeling the change in the barometric pressure based on a change in a ram-air pressure resulting from the change in the vehicle speed, and indicating a degraded barometric pressure measurement when a difference between the measured and the modeled change in the barometric pressure is greater than a threshold pressure difference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, the exhaust gas may be routed to drive an air turbine of an air compression system. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for user controlled engine revving. In one example, the engine may be revved to a peak speed according to a target revving sequence in response to a user-initiated command. A revving sound may be provided in response to an input device, without demanding manual depression of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for user controlled engine revving. In one example, the engine may be revved to a peak speed according to a target revving sequence in response to a user-initiated command. A revving sound may be provided in response to an input device, without demanding manual depression of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a pump comprising two pistons is driven via engine exhaust gases. On piston within the pump moves in response to the exhaust gases while the other piston acts to compress air.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine using transmission fluid from a transmission pump are presented. In one example, the transmission fluid may be routed to drive an air compression system including two cylinders. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, the exhaust gas may be routed to drive an air turbine of an air compression system. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air conditioning system. An example method of determining current through a compressor suction valve in a vehicle air conditioning (AC) system is provided, the AC system comprises an evaporator fan and the method includes determining the speed of the evaporator fan and determining the current through the suction valve based on the speed of the evaporator fan.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a pump comprising two pistons is driven via engine exhaust gases. On piston within the pump moves in response to the exhaust gases while the other piston acts to compress air.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing assistive action to a driver of a vehicle to increase a following distance between the vehicle and a target lead vehicle. In one example, providing assistive action includes, operating the vehicle manually behind a target lead vehicle on a road, including estimating a following distance between the vehicle and the target lead vehicle, and responsive to the following distance being less than a first threshold following distance, providing an assistive action by adjusting a mapping from a driver demand to a wheel torque of the vehicle to increase a perceived resistance of the vehicle to the driver demand as the following distance decreases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air system. In one example, a system includes a boost device configured to be driven by exhaust air from a plurality of cylinder in order to compress ambient air. The compressed ambient air is delivered to a tank configured to store compressed gases.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing assistive action to a driver of a vehicle to increase a following distance between the vehicle and a target lead vehicle. In one example, providing assistive action includes, operating the vehicle manually behind a target lead vehicle on a road, including estimating a following distance between the vehicle and the target lead vehicle, and responsive to the following distance being less than a first threshold following distance, providing an assistive action by adjusting a mapping from a driver demand to a wheel torque of the vehicle to increase a perceived resistance of the vehicle to the driver demand as the following distance decreases.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air system. In one example, a system includes a boost device configured to be driven by exhaust air from a plurality of cylinder in order to compress ambient air. The compressed ambient air is delivered to a tank configured to store compressed gases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.