Abstract: A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine cranked by an electric machine powered by a first battery, a first plurality of components powered by the first battery, a second plurality of components powered by a second battery, and a processor programmed to isolate the second battery and associated components from the first battery and associated components at least during engine cranking. The first battery may be a low voltage battery having a first chemistry, such as a lead-acid battery with associated components that are less sensitive to voltage variation induced by engine cranking or starting, such as heated mirrors, seats, wipers, a climate control blower, power windows/doors, and auxiliary pumps. The second battery may be a low or high voltage battery having a second chemistry, such as a lithium-ion battery with associated components that may be more sensitive to low voltage during engine cranking/starting, such as lighting, electronics, and infotainment systems.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having auto-stop and auto-start conditions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system having an auto-hold function. The auto-hold function is configured to, after braking the vehicle to a full stop, automatically apply braking torque independent of a brake pedal position. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to, in response to the engine being in the auto-stop condition, the auto-hold function automatically applying braking torque, and a gear shifter being moved out of a gear other than PARK, maintain the engine in the auto-stop condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and an electric parking brake. A controller activates the electric parking brake in response to the powertrain transitioning to an off state that inhibits production of propulsive torque during an ignition cycle when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed and in a presence of conditions that inhibit the powertrain from transitioning to an on state that permits production of propulsive torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured for autostop and autostart. The vehicle further includes an electric actuator for an active front steering system. Before the engine is autostopped, a controlled decrease in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated. After the engine is autostarted, a controlled increase in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an automatic transmission with a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine may be stopped while a vehicle in which the engine operates is rolling. A transmission coupled to the engine may be shifted as the vehicle rolls so that vehicle response may be improved if a driver requests an increase of engine torque.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.

Abstract: Methods for improving operation of a stop-start system of a vehicle include controlling an electrical load delivered to an electrically heated windshield (HWS) subsystem of the vehicle prior to a stop cycle or a start cycle of the stop-start system. The methods include steps of discontinuing the electrical load delivered to the HWS subsystem for a predetermined time period prior to a determined predicted stop cycle of the stop-start system. The methods further include differently apportioning the electrical load delivered to a passenger's side and a driver's side of the HWS subsystem. The differently apportioning may be according to a determined ambient temperature value, and further may include steps of differently apportioning the electrical load for predetermined time periods determined according to the ambient temperature value. Vehicle stop-start systems and vehicles implementing the methods are described.

Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes an engine configured to autostop and autostart during a drive cycle. The vehicle additionally includes a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to present on the user interface a metric indicative of a quantity of engine autostops during a drive cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear visibility component having a heating element. The vehicle further includes an engine and at least one controller programmed to auto-start and auto-stop the engine. The at least one controller is programmed to inhibit the auto-stop of the engine in response to receiving an auto-stop request while the engine is on and the heating element has been operating less than a predetermined time. In some configurations, the at least one controller is programmed to auto-start the engine and operate the heating element at a full power level in response to expiration of a time period that began with an auto-stop of the engine that occurred after the engine auto-stop was inhibited.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having auto-stop and auto-start conditions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system having an auto-hold function. The auto-hold function is configured to, after braking the vehicle to a full stop, automatically apply braking torque independent of a brake pedal position. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to, in response to the engine being in the auto-stop condition, the auto-hold function automatically applying braking torque, and a gear shifter being moved out of a gear other than PARK, maintain the engine in the auto-stop condition.

Abstract: An auto stop-start equipped vehicle power management system includes a primary power source supplying energy to an electrical starter to crank a vehicle engine and a secondary power source coupled in parallel to the primary power source. The secondary power source supplies energy to electric loads during an engine auto stop-start operation. The electrical loads maintain vehicle subsystem functionality during the engine auto stop-start operation. The energy supplied to the electrical loads is current limited during the engine auto stop-start operation. A controllable switch decouples the secondary power source from the primary power source and starter motor during the engine auto stop-start operation. Operating parameters of the electrical loads are monitored during the engine auto stop-start operation.

Abstract: Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query.

Abstract: Vehicles equipped with an automatic start-stop system may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing an engine from auto-stopping in addition to the status of the automatic start-stop system. The system may identify one or more inhibitors actively preventing an auto-stop event from occurring and select at least one of the active inhibitors based on a priority scheme. The interface may communicate the at least one selected inhibitor to a driver using a display or a speaker, or both.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a driveline disconnect clutch that selectively couples the engine to a torque converter are presented. In one non-limiting example, a torque converter clutch is closed before the driveline disconnect clutch is opened so that output of a transmission pump may be maintained and so that torque converter impeller speed may be determined.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrical load and a stop/start system. The stop/start system selectively auto stops the engine when a speed of the vehicle is approximately zero, and in response to a request to activate the electrical load while the engine is auto stopped, auto starts the engine prior to activating the electrical load.

Abstract: A method for maximizing the availability of start-stop operations within a microhybrid vehicle includes determining the electric current drawn by a set of electrical components of the vehicle, from the vehicle's battery. The internal resistance of the vehicle's battery, and the resistance of a starter motor loop circuit coupled to the engine of the vehicle are dynamically calculated. The closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted, using the internal resistance of the battery, the resistance of the starter motor loop circuit, and the current drawn by the set of electrical components of the vehicle. The start-stop operation is carried out if the closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted to be above a pre-determined minimum value.