Abstract: A vehicle (10) has a camera recognition system to detect and interpret a road sign (14) indicative of a gradient. A gradient related shift map of an automatic vehicle transmission is pre-selected upon recognition of the road sign, and implemented upon detection that the gradient has commenced. The invention provides for rapid and consistent implementation of a suitable shift map on a gradient.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) has an automatic multi-speed transmission. For starting from rest a launch ratio is selected by a slope and/or obstacle device (13, 15) according to identification of an up-slope (12), a down slope, or an obstacle (17, 18).

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system comprising: a first controller configured in each of a predetermined plurality of states to generate a torque request signal in order to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, the system being configured, when the first controller is one of said plurality of states to generate a gear shift limit signal to cause a change in an engine speed at which a transmission controller is permitted to cause a gear downshift, the gear shift limit signal being generated in dependence on at least one traction indicator signal indicative of an amount of estimated traction between the vehicle and a driving surface.

Abstract: A method for heating a catalyst includes maintaining engine speed at a high rpm when the engine is started. The high rpm is maintained even if the driver shifts the transmission out of neutral. Engine speed is lowered when there is an indication that the driver wishes to drive off, such as the driver releasing the brake pedal. Maintaining the high rpm during the time between shifting the transmission out of neutral and providing an indication that drive off is desired contributes to additional catalyst warm up. The high rpm may be disabled if the catalyst temperature is sufficiently high or if the vehicle is parked on a slope, for example.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of engaging an input gear with an output gear in a drivetrain (3). The input gear is coupled to an input shaft (7) and the output gear is coupled to an output shaft (9). The method includes calculating a target input speed (S1?) for the input shaft (7) to match a rotational speed of the input gear to a rotational speed of the output gear. The calculated target input speed (S1?) is then modified to include an offset and the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) is then modified in dependence on the modified target input speed (S1?). The input gear and the output gear engage when the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) at least substantially matches the modified target input speed (S1?). The present invention also relates to an apparatus.

Abstract: An input device for use in a vehicle steering assembly, the input device having at least one user-operable control member which is moveable between a deployed state and a retracted state. When the control member is in its deployed state, the control member is operable to provide an input to a vehicle control system. In a particular example, the or each control member is a paddle shaped lever which is used to send gear change requests to an automatic transmission, and the lever is retracted when gear change requests do not need to be sent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle control system comprising: a first user-operable transmission selector means for selecting a transmission operating mode; and a second user-operable transmission selector means for selecting a transmission operating mode, wherein the first transmission selector means and not the second transmission selector means is operable to select a transmission operating mode when the control system is operated in a first predetermined function mode and the second transmission selector means is operable to select a transmission operating mode when the control system is operated in a second predetermined function mode different from the first, the control system being configured to assume operation in the second predetermined function mode when a first set of one or more predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle having a first user-operable transmission selector means for selecting a forward operating mode of a transmission corresponding to travel in a forward direction and a reverse operating mode of a transmission corresponding to travel in a reverse direction opposite the forward direction, the control system comprising: a user-operable gear selector configured in a first functional mode to, upon receipt of a user input, select between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios, and wherein the user-operable gear selector is re-configured in a second functional mode to, upon receipt of a user input, select between the forward operating mode and the reverse operating mode.

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising: drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the drive means being operable automatically to be switched off and subsequently restarted during a drive-cycle thereby to reduce an amount of time for which the drive means is on during a given drivecycle, and a transmission operable to be connected to and disconnected from the drive means, the controller comprising an input for receiving vehicle data; processing means arranged to determine control signals for controlling the transmission in dependence on the vehicle data received at the inputs; and an output arranged to output the determined control signals to the transmission, wherein the processing means is arranged to determine a drive means restart type, to determine the control signals for controlling the transmission in dependence on the drive means restart type and, in the event that the processing means determines that the restart type is a system requested restart, the processing m

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a catalyst. When the engine is started, engine speed is maintain at high rpm. This high rpm is maintained even if the driver shifts the transmission out of neutral, at time (A). Engine speed is lowered if an indication that the driver wishes to drive off is detected, at time (C), e.g. release of the brake pedal. The shaded area shows the additional contribution to catalyst warm up. The high rpm may be disabled if catalyst temperature is high enough or if the vehicle is parked on a slope. The invention also relates to a vehicle carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of engaging an input gear with an output gear in a drivetrain (3). The input gear is coupled to an input shaft (7) and the output gear is coupled to an output shaft (9). The method includes calculating a target input speed (S1?) for the input shaft (7) to match a rotational speed of the input gear to a rotational speed of the output gear. The calculated target input speed (S1?) is then modified to include an offset and the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) is then modified in dependence on the modified target input speed (S1?). The input gear and the output gear engage when the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) at least substantially matches the modified target input speed (S1?). The present invention also relates to an apparatus.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.