Abstract: Methods and systems for use in indicating and/or determining fuel properties. One or more physical properties of a fuel are determined and indicated using taggants that are added to the fuel, such as by encoding the properties in the taggants or by encoding an identifier in the taggants and associating the properties with the identifier. The taggants are detected by a taggant sensor, and the physical properties are determined based on the detected taggants. A concentration of the taggants in the fuel may also be determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in determining one or more performance characteristics of a mechanical system that includes a combustion engine. One or more values of a physical property of fuel are associated with a performance characteristic (e.g., an operating characteristic and/or a maintenance characteristic) of a mechanical system to create a fuel-performance relationship. An actual value of the physical property of a fuel to be burned by the combustion engine is determined using one or more sensors. A predicted value of the performance characteristic is determined based on the actual value of the physical property and the fuel-performance relationship.

Abstract: In a method and a device for learning the neutral position of the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle, the lowest pedal voltage is determined during a first drive cycle, the voltage remaining constant over a specific period of time and repeating itself several times within the drive cycle. A minimum pedal value is confirmed and set on the basis of the determined lowest pedal value that has been confirmed in at least one succeeding drive cycle. Finally, a plausibility check on the confirmed lowest pedal value is performed. The method and the device are characterized by particular robustness.

Abstract: In a method and a device for learning the neutral position of the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle, the lowest pedal voltage is determined during a first drive cycle, the voltage remaining constant over a specific period of time and repeating itself several times within the drive cycle. A minimum pedal value is confirmed and set on the basis of the determined lowest pedal value that has been confirmed in at least one succeeding drive cycle. Finally, a plausibility check on the confirmed lowest pedal value is performed. The method and the device are characterized by particular robustness.