Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power to propel the vehicle. The transmission has gears and clutches configured to shift between the gears. The controller is programmed to operate the clutches during wide-open throttle events to upshift the gears at shift points corresponding to engine speeds. The controller is further programmed to adapt the shift points by increasing the shift points over a series of the wide-open throttle events from initial values to mature values.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having a powerplant and a transmission. The transmission has an input shaft operably coupled to the powerplant and an output shaft operably coupled to driven wheels. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to a brake pedal being applied, a speed of the output shaft being less than a threshold speed, and a position of an accelerator pedal being less than a threshold position, automatically engage friction brakes regardless of road grade and continue engagement of the friction brakes despite subsequent release of the brake pedal such that the friction brakes are engaged to hold the vehicle stationary independent of the road grade. The controller is further programmed to release the friction brakes in response to a position of the accelerator pedal being greater than a second threshold position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powerplant, at least one drive wheel, a transmission, and a controller. The powerplant is configured to generate power to propel the vehicle. The transmission is configured to deliver power from the powerplant to the at least one drive wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a scheduled upshift of the transmission and detection of a set of conditions that are indicative of the vehicle climbing while on loose terrain, override upshifting the transmission and maintain a current gear of the transmission. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the scheduled upshift of the transmission and non-detection of at least one condition of the set of conditions that are indicative of the vehicle climbing while on loose terrain, upshift the transmission.

Abstract: A method for downshifting a vehicle having an automatic transmission is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not conditions are met for a power matching downshift. If conditions are met for a power matching downshift, output power of a powertrain propulsion torque source at an end of the power matching downshift is adjusted to an output power of the powertrain propulsion torque source at the beginning of the power matching downshift plus an offset power.

Abstract: A method for downshifting a vehicle having an automatic transmission is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not conditions are met for a power matching downshift. If conditions are met for a power matching downshift, output power of a powertrain propulsion torque source at an end of the power matching downshift is adjusted to an output power of the powertrain propulsion torque source at the beginning of the power matching downshift plus an offset power.

Abstract: Ideally, when a transmission is in Neutral, no torque should be exerted on the vehicle wheels by the powertrain. However, even with all clutches in a gearbox disengaged, some torque may be transmitted from a turbine shaft to the transmission output due to clutch drag and transmission component inertia. To avoid transmitting torque, a subset of clutches may be engaged to produce an input tie-up state, this holding the turbine shaft against rotation while permitting rotation of the output element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline that includes a step ratio transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that may be operated in a step ratio mode are disclosed. In one example, engagement speeds for transmission gears are adjusted as a function of vehicle mass, road grade, and requested braking torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline that includes a step ratio transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that may be operated in a step ratio mode are disclosed. In one example, engagement speeds for transmission gears are adjusted as a function of vehicle mass, road grade, and requested braking torque.

Abstract: Ideally, when a transmission is in Neutral, no torque should be exerted on the vehicle wheels by the powertrain. However, even with all clutches in a gearbox disengaged, some torque may be transmitted from a turbine shaft to the transmission output due to clutch drag and transmission component inertia. To avoid transmitting torque, a subset of clutches may be engaged to produce an input tie-up state, this holding the turbine shaft against rotation while permitting rotation of the output element.

Abstract: A vehicle implements a method of selecting gear ratios that utilizes two shift schedules, one for flat terrain and one for hilly terrain. Initially, the vehicle switches between the shift schedules based on estimation of the road gradient of a recently traversed route. When the vehicle switched between the shift schedules, the vehicle stores location information associated with the switch. When stored information about previous shift schedule switches is available, the information is utilized, in combination with navigation system data, to switch shift schedules at more appropriate times.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission has a first neutral state in which a first combination of clutches are engaged and a second neutral state in which a second combination of clutches are engaged. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the transmission being in the first neutral state and an engine-torque request exceeding a threshold value, shift the transmission to the second neutral state.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission has a first neutral state in which a first combination of clutches are engaged and a second neutral state in which a second combination of clutches are engaged. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the transmission being in the first neutral state and an engine-torque request exceeding a threshold value, shift the transmission to the second neutral state.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an accelerator pedal moveable across a plurality of predefined positions and a controller programmed to, responsive to the pedal reaching a tip-in position, command a downshift to a downshift gear from an initial gear. A difference between the initial and downshift gears exceeds a number of predefined positions crossed upon moving to the tip-in position when a rate of change of pedal position exceeds a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle implements a method of selecting gear ratios that utilizes two shift schedules, one for flat terrain and one for hilly terrain. Initially, the vehicle switches between the shift schedules based on estimation of the road gradient of a recently traversed route. When the vehicle switched between the shift schedules, the vehicle stores location information associated with the switch. When stored information about previous shift schedule switches is available, the information is utilized, in combination with navigation system data, to switch shift schedules at more appropriate times.