Abstract: A method for diagnosing an air filter status includes receiving, by a controller, sensor data indicative of a mass air flow rate, an air temperature and an air pressure of an air cleaner assembly including an air filter, determining an air filter life remaining from the sensor data, and receiving data indicative of a vehicle condition. The method also includes determining when a first condition is satisfied and when true, triggering an air filter leakage alert. When the first condition is not satisfied, the controller determines when a second condition is satisfied. When the second condition is satisfied, the controller determines when a third condition is satisfied, and when the third condition is satisfied, triggers an air filter snow intrusion alert. When the second condition is satisfied and the third condition is not satisfied the controller triggers an air filter blockage alert.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an air filter status includes receiving, by a controller, sensor data indicative of a mass air flow rate, an air temperature and an air pressure of an air cleaner assembly including an air filter, determining an air filter life remaining from the sensor data, and receiving data indicative of a vehicle condition. The method also includes determining when a first condition is satisfied and when true, triggering an air filter leakage alert. When the first condition is not satisfied, the controller determines when a second condition is satisfied. When the second condition is satisfied, the controller determines when a third condition is satisfied, and when the third condition is satisfied, triggers an air filter snow intrusion alert. When the second condition is satisfied and the third condition is not satisfied the controller triggers an air filter blockage alert.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper and a jack assembly. The damper includes a first tube defining a first cavity and having a longitudinal axis, a second tube disposed within the first cavity and defining a second cavity, wherein the second tube is spaced apart from the first tube to define a reservoir chamber, and a piston translatable within the second cavity along the axis, wherein the piston abuts the second tube to define a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The system includes a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel. The assembly includes a jack piston abutting the first tube, and a jack cylinder also abutting the first tube and translatable with respect to the jack piston to thereby raise and lower the body. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper having a central longitudinal axis, and a jack assembly attached to the damper. The jack assembly includes a seat abutting and rotatable about the damper, a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat, a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the damper, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the damper, a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the damper, a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat, and a second clutch coiled about the damper and coupled to the ball nut. The seat is translatable along the damper to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper having a central longitudinal axis, and a jack assembly attached to the damper. The jack assembly includes a seat abutting and rotatable about the damper, a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat, a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the damper, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the damper, a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the damper, a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat, and a second clutch coiled about the damper and coupled to the ball nut. The seat is translatable along the damper to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper and a jack assembly. The damper includes a first tube defining a first cavity and having a longitudinal axis, a second tube disposed within the first cavity and defining a second cavity, wherein the second tube is spaced apart from the first tube to define a reservoir chamber, and a piston translatable within the second cavity along the axis, wherein the piston abuts the second tube to define a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The system includes a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel. The assembly includes a jack piston abutting the first tube, and a jack cylinder also abutting the first tube and translatable with respect to the jack piston to thereby raise and lower the body. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.

Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.

Abstract: A method and system that can be used to address improper towing of a vehicle so that unnecessary damage to the vehicle can be detected, recorded, prevented, avoided, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a vehicle power signal and one or more wheel movement signal(s) to detect instances of improper towing and, if detected, initiates a remedial action. Remedial actions could include, for example, alerting the tow truck operator through a visual and/or audible alarm, sending a wireless warning message to a remote call center, and recording the relevant information for subsequent analysis. In one embodiment, the wheel movement signals are provided by tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors already located in the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing enhanced vacuum to a brake booster of a braking system under certain operational conditions. Vacuum is stored in a reservoir and is controllably released to the brake booster to provide a brake booster vacuum level of at least a predetermined vacuum level threshold in order to avoid brake pedal performance issues being perceived by the driver of motor vehicles utilizing engines utilizing a supplemental brake assist system under conditions where the brake booster vacuum level is less than the predetermined vacuum level threshold.

Abstract: A method and system that can be used to address improper towing of a vehicle so that unnecessary damage to the vehicle can be detected, recorded, prevented, avoided, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a vehicle power signal and one or more wheel movement signal(s) to detect instances of improper towing and, if detected, initiates a remedial action. Remedial actions could include, for example, alerting the tow truck operator through a visual and/or audible alarm, sending a wireless warning message to a remote call center, and recording the relevant information for subsequent analysis. In one embodiment, the wheel movement signals are provided by tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors already located in the vehicle.

Abstract: Brake pads are retracted with respect to the brake rotor responsive to predetermined conditions of the motor vehicle in which braking is not required. Selective application of negative brake line pressure causes the caliper pistons to retract with respect to their respective caliper cylinders, thereby causing the brake pads to retract from the brake rotor. The predetermined conditions of the motor vehicle when braking is not required include when the motor vehicle is cruising or is parked.

Abstract: An air induction system wherein the outlet air assembly includes a sleeve-lined convolute duct. A sleeve liner is disposed within a convolute duct which spans the convolutes, wherein an attached end of the sleeve liner is attached to a non-convolute portion of the convolute duct, wherein a free end is freely slidable in the convolute duct, and wherein the free end of the sleeve liner and the attached end of the sleeve liner each serve as a sealing cuff whereby air flow is laminar therethrough irrespective of the convolutes.

Abstract: An air induction system wherein the outlet air assembly includes a sleeve-lined convolute duct. A sleeve liner is disposed within a convolute duct which spans the convolutes, wherein an attached end of the sleeve liner is attached to a non-convolute portion of the convolute duct, wherein a free end is freely slidable in the convolute duct, and wherein the free end of the sleeve liner and the attached end of the sleeve liner each serve as a sealing cuff whereby air flow is laminar therethrough irrespective of the convolutes.