Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch. The estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch is based on a combined inertia of a dual mass flywheel and the driveline disconnect clutch.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch. The estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch is based on a combined inertia of a dual mass flywheel and the driveline disconnect clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes one or more electric machine providing torque to one or more axles are described. In one example, a requested vehicle speed is adjusted responsive to at least one of vehicle yaw, vehicle roll, and vehicle pitch so that vehicle speed may be maintained at a requested value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the driveline includes an electric machine downstream of a dual clutch transmission, which is downstream of an engine. In one example, a method comprises communicating from a transmission, a torque to accelerate transmission components from a first speed to a second speed with first and second clutches of a dual transmission open, the communicating performed while an electric machine coupled to the dual clutch transmission at a location downstream of the dual clutch transmission is providing torque to propel a vehicle. In this way, wheel speed may remain substantially constant while the transmission is shifted and the engine is stopped.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing off-road capabilities in electric vehicles with a single gear reduction. In one example, when a 4×4 mode is selected in an electric vehicle, a relationship between motor torque and accelerator pedal position is changed so as to increase the vehicle creep wheel torque. A degree of increase of the creep wheel torque is adjusted as a function of the terrain on which the vehicle is off-roading.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, the engine is started and coupled to the driveline via closing a clutch of a dual clutch transmission. Speed of the engine and clutch pressure are controlled to reduce driveline torque disturbances and provide a desired wheel torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes a dual clutch transmission are described. In one example, clutches of the dual clutch transmission may be cooled via activating and adjusting a flow rate of an electric pump. Further, driveline operating modes may be entered or exited in response to clutch operating conditions so that driveline robustness may be enhanced.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing off-road capabilities in electric vehicles with a single gear reduction. In one example, when a 4×4 mode is selected in an electric vehicle, a relationship between motor torque and accelerator pedal position is changed so as to increase the vehicle creep wheel torque. A degree of increase of the creep wheel torque is adjusted as a function of the terrain on which the vehicle is off-roading.

Abstract: Methods and systems to operate a hybrid vehicle in a controlled lateral vehicle slip mode are described. The lateral vehicle slip mode may adjust torques applied to a vehicle's front wheels and operation of transmission clutches to induce lateral vehicle slip when requested. The vehicle may exit the lateral vehicle slip mode in response to applying vehicle brakes or releasing a vehicle accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for meeting wheel torque demand in a hybrid vehicle with an engine, a dual clutch transmission coupled to a driveline of the vehicle downstream of the engine, and an electric machine coupled to the driveline downstream of the dual clutch transmission. In one example, a method includes transferring transmission input torque through a clutch of the dual clutch transmission controlled to a first capacity, and, in response to a desired transmission input torque exceeding the capacity, increasing torque output of the electric machine coupled downstream of the dual clutch transmission to assist in meeting a wheel torque demand. In this way, a driver-requested increase in acceleration may be met under conditions where transmission input torque is limited by clutch capacity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain or driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines and a transmission are described. In one example, vehicle propulsion is maintained while transmission operating parameters are determined for improving transmission operation. In particular, a rear drive unit maintains vehicle speed and monitors torque delivered via an output of the transmission.

Abstract: A system may include a controller with one or more processors. The controller may determine the wheel size of a wheel of a vehicle during a trip. The one or more processors may communicate a message associated with the wheel size to an off-board device when the wheel size is below a threshold size.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes one or more electric machine providing torque to one or more axles are described. In one example, a requested vehicle speed is adjusted responsive to at least one of vehicle yaw, vehicle roll, and vehicle pitch so that vehicle speed may be maintained at a requested value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rapidly charging a battery in a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method includes charging a battery at a first rate via an engine transferring torque to a plurality of motor/generators while a vehicle speed is controlled based on a driver demand, and charging the battery at a second rate greater than the first rate via the plurality of motor/generators while the vehicle is autonomously controlled via a cruise control system. In this way, by charging the battery at the second rate while the vehicle speed is being controlled by the cruise control system, drivability issues related to engine torque production and/or motor/generator torque production may be minimized.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, responsive to a driver-demanded wheel torque that exceeds a capacity of the electric machine, a vehicle acceleration plateau is avoided by transiently connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a low speed input shaft of the transmission while the engine is accelerating to a target speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, while the vehicle is being propelled solely via the electric machine, one or more gears of the transmission may be pre-engaged or selected, to prepare the driveline for an engine start event. In this way, driveline torque disturbance and delays in torque requests may be reduced or avoided upon a request for an engine start event.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, torque output from the engine and the electric machine is adjusted to provide controlled vehicle side slip during cornering by a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, values of an engine spark to engine torque relationship are adjusted to improve engine torque control. The engine is subsequently operated responsive to adjusted values of the engine spark to engine torque relationship.