Abstract: A method for fabricating a motor vehicle including an engine and automatic transmission includes generating first data containing information representing a performance characteristic of a solenoid and a serialized solenoid number, affixing to the solenoid a first barcode matrix containing the first data, installing the solenoid and clutch in the transmission generating second data containing information representing a performance characteristic of clutch, using information from the first and second data to produce third data that includes a serialized transmission number and information from the first data and the second data, affixing to the transmission a third barcode matrix containing the third data, using information from the third barcode matrix to produce fourth data that is tied to a vehicle identification number and information from the first data, the second data and the third data, reading information from the fourth data into an electronic memory of a powertrain control module (PCM), and installi

Abstract: A method for fabricating a motor vehicle including an engine and automatic transmission includes generating first data containing information representing a performance characteristic of a solenoid and a serialized solenoid number, affixing to the solenoid a first barcode matrix containing the first data, installing the solenoid and clutch in the transmission generating second data containing information representing a performance characteristic of clutch, using information from the first and second data to produce third data that includes a serialized transmission number and information from the first data and the second data, affixing to the transmission a third barcode matrix containing the third data, using information from the third barcode matrix to produce fourth data that is tied to a vehicle identification number and information from the first data, the second data and the third data, reading information from the fourth data into an electronic memory of a powertrain control module (PCM), and installi

Abstract: A vehicle control system is described for controlling a torque converter coupled to an engine. The controller engages the torque converter before negative powertrain output becomes less than a predetermined value. Such an approach allows for torque converter locking in the negative powertrain output region. Such an approach is especially suited to vehicles having certain torque converters, which are difficult to lock at large negative torque values.

Abstract: A method for controlling the capacity of friction clutches and brakes in a multiple-ratio vehicle transmission and for simultaneously establishing ratio shift point scheduling to effect a desired vehicle speed at which ratio changes occur while the vehicle is in a traction control mode. The method includes calculating a synthetic throttle setting that is used to establish clutch and brake capacity control and wherein separate ratio shift schedules are used for normal operation and for traction control operation, the engine torque required during operation in the traction control mode determining the vehicle speed at which shifts occur for each gear ratio whereby the shift schedule during operation in the traction control mode can be calibrated independently of the throttle position required for optimum clutch and brake capacity control.

Abstract: A method for controlling the capacity of friction clutches and brakes in a multiple-ratio vehicle transmission and for simultaneously establishing ratio shift point scheduling to effect a desired vehicle speed at which ratio changes occur while the vehicle is in a traction control mode. The method includes calculating a synthetic throttle setting that is used to establish clutch and brake capacity control and wherein separate ratio shift schedules are used for normal operation and for traction control operation, the engine torque required during operation in the traction control mode determining the vehicle speed at which shifts occur for each gear ratio whereby the shift schedule during operation in the traction control mode can be calibrated independently of the throttle position required for optimum clutch and brake capacity control.