Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle structure an airbag deployment location and an external skin layer that covers the airbag deployment location. An object detection sensor is located on or covered by the external skin layer of a vehicle component and located within an object detection zone. The object detection sensor is configured to provide a signal to a controller upon detecting an object within the object detection zone.

Abstract: A dipstick assembly includes a tube, a dipstick, and a wiper. The dipstick assembly is alternatively configurable in a wiping configuration, in which the dipstick is mounted to the tube with the wiper therebetween, and in a standard configuration, in which the dipstick is mounted to the tube without the wiper therebetween. In the wiping configuration and in the standard configuration, the dipstick closes the tube, and reaches through the tube. In the wiping configuration, the dipstick reaches through the tube past the wiper, and the dipstick is alternatively withdrawable from the tube past the wiper, whereupon the wiper wipes the dipstick, and with the wiper, whereupon the wiper leaves the dipstick unwiped.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing audio information in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether at least one vehicle alert is to be provided by the vehicle, and outputting, in response to determining that the at least one vehicle alert is to be provided, an audio signal for the at least one vehicle alert at a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies range from a predetermined minimum frequency value to a predetermined maximum frequency value.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing audio information in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether at least one vehicle alert is to be provided by the vehicle, and outputting, in response to determining that the at least one vehicle alert is to be provided, an audio signal for the at least one vehicle alert at a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies range from a predetermined minimum frequency value to a predetermined maximum frequency value.

Abstract: A dipstick assembly includes a tube, a dipstick, and a wiper. The dipstick assembly is alternatively configurable in a wiping configuration, in which the dipstick is mounted to the tube with the wiper therebetween, and in a standard configuration, in which the dipstick is mounted to the tube without the wiper therebetween. In the wiping configuration and in the standard configuration, the dipstick closes the tube, and reaches through the tube. In the wiping configuration, the dipstick reaches through the tube past the wiper, and the dipstick is alternatively withdrawable from the tube past the wiper, whereupon the wiper wipes the dipstick, and with the wiper, whereupon the wiper leaves the dipstick unwiped.

Abstract: A heated cup holder system for a vehicle includes a sleeve receivable onto a container, the sleeve of a predefined inductance, and a cup holder including an induction-heating element operable to induce a current within the sleeve, thereby heating the sleeve.

Abstract: A system and method for warning a third party about a temperature condition for a forgotten occupant based upon an estimated temperature. The system and method include retrieving a weather forecast for an area in which the vehicle is located and estimating a future temperature of the passenger compartment in response to determining that the drive system of the vehicle has been shut off and that the driver has exited the vehicle, the method determines whether an occupant remains in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The future temperature of the passenger compartment is a temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle after a lapse of a predetermined time period. In response to determining that the estimated future temperature is outside of the predetermined temperature range send a warning to the computing device.

Abstract: Described herein is a smart key reminder system. The smart key reminder system prevents a user from mistakenly leaving a vehicle with a wireless smart key in his possession when the vehicle is running, which would otherwise result in the next driver being without a key and stranded once the vehicle is turned off. When the smart key travels more than a predefined distance from the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the smart key reminder system will give the person in possession of the smart key and/or vehicle occupants a warning not to leave the next driver without a key. A system for a vehicle can include a wireless smart key operable to receive an alert in response to a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle if the vehicle is operating.

Abstract: Systems and vehicles for calculating trailer brake control parameters are disclosed. A system for calculating a trailer brake control parameter includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. The one or more memory modules include the trailer brake control parameter. The machine readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive an image including a trailer, determine a trailer characteristic from the image using image analysis logic stored in the one or more memory modules, and calculate the trailer brake control parameter based on the trailer characteristic.

Abstract: Described herein is a smart key reminder system. The smart key reminder system prevents a user from mistakenly leaving a vehicle with the wireless smart key in his possession when the vehicle is running, which would otherwise result in the next driver without a key being stranded once the vehicle is turnoff. When the smart key travels more than a predefined distance from the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the smart key reminder system will give the person in possession of the smart key and/or vehicle occupants a warning not to leave the next driver without a key. A system for a vehicle can include a wireless smart key operable to receive an alert in response to a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle if the vehicle is operating.

Abstract: A heated cup holder system for a vehicle including a sleeve receivable onto a container, the sleeve of a predefined inductance and a cup holder including an induction-heating element operable to induce a current within the sleeve thereby heating the sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and vehicles for calculating trailer brake control parameters are disclosed. A system for calculating a trailer brake control parameter includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. The one or more memory modules include the trailer brake control parameter. The machine readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive an image including a trailer, determine a trailer characteristic from the image using image analysis logic stored in the one or more memory modules, and calculate the trailer brake control parameter based on the trailer characteristic.

Abstract: A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system is provided. The method includes activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate. The control stalk is moved repeatedly to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define one or more tap intervals. The one or more tap intervals are determined using an analyzing and control system. Speed of the wiper motor is changed to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the one or more tap intervals.

Abstract: A method of providing seat ventilation using a seat ventilation system (SVS) within a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether a vehicle seat is occupied using an air bag ECU. Occupancy information is provided from the air bag ECU to an air conditioning ECU. The air conditioning ECU controls a seat climate module based on the occupancy information received from the air bag ECU.

Abstract: A method of providing seat ventilation using a seat ventilation system (SVS) within a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether a vehicle seat is occupied using an air bag ECU. Occupancy information is provided from the air bag ECU to an air conditioning ECU. The air conditioning ECU controls a seat climate module based on the occupancy information received from the air bag ECU.

Abstract: A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system is provided. The method includes activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate. The control stalk is moved repeatedly to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define one or more tap intervals. The one or more tap intervals are determined using an analyzing and control system. Speed of the wiper motor is changed to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the one or more tap intervals.