Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a vehicle part to replace based on received vehicle data including a diagnostic status, a location, and a first route. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine a vehicle operating pattern based on the identified vehicle part and to generate a second route including a second destination based on the vehicle part, the vehicle operating pattern, the location, and a first destination and an expected time of arrival of the first route. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to navigate the vehicle based on the determined second route and the vehicle operating pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving calibration of a variable compression ratio engine. Cylinder-to-cylinder compression ratio variations are detected and accounted for by comparing cylinder fuel flow and IMEP at each compression ratio setting. Dilution parameters including EGR and VCT schedule are also calibrated to account for the cylinder-to-cylinder compression ratio variations.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to estimate a total travel time for a vehicle from a current location in a multilevel structure to a destination. The estimated total travel time includes a sum of an estimated travel time from a specified point at the multilevel structure to the destination and estimated travel times for each level of the multilevel structure from a level of the current location to the specified point.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the manner in which different fuel types are used under different driving scenarios. In one example, a method may include determining a travel route based on a particular transportation request input by a customer into a software application, where the software application selects a vehicle from a plurality of available vehicles to fulfill the transportation request based on a relative fuel octane content of fuel stored by the available vehicles. In this way, appropriate fuel type usage for different driving scenarios may be improved, and non-appropriate fuel type usage may be avoided.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a vehicle fault condition, select a vehicle component according to a location of the fault condition in the vehicle and a detected location of a user outside of the vehicle, and actuate the vehicle component.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that includes one or more controller(s) configured to manage electric only and combustion engine drive modes, and at start-up, to generate a trip distance, and to detect an electric drive range, and battery, cabin, and powertrain thermal demands, among other conditions. The controller(s) engage a combustion engine drive mode if the distance exceeds the range, and the thermal demands exceed respective thresholds. The controller(s) also engage an electric drive mode if the range exceeds the distance, and the threshold exceed the thermal demands. Further variations include the controller(s) responsive to receiving a destination, and communicating the destination to a navigation system, and detecting if a charge event is likely to occur at the destination. In other arrangements, the controller(s) also adjust the trip distance upon detecting an historical probability of a charge event at the destination and whether the destination is a final destination.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that may be configured to, responsive to receiving a delivery request associated with a drone, periodically transmit a current location, trip route information, and acceleration data of the vehicle to guide the drone to a rendezvous location, and responsive to receiving a proximity notification associated with the drone, open a delivery opening of the vehicle.

Abstract: Controlling a vehicle includes determining that an occupancy status of the vehicle is unoccupied, estimating a remaining unoccupied time, and controlling a climate-control system according to climate-control parameters based on at least the occupancy status and the remaining unoccupied time. A climate-control parameter is a value or set of values for an attribute or attributes of vehicle climate control, such as a power status for the climate-control system as a whole, a target temperature for a passenger cabin, power statuses corresponding to individual climate zones of the passenger cabin, and target temperatures for the individual climate zones.

Abstract: Data are received indicating an amount of pumped fuel provided to a vehicle fuel tank. A vehicle fuel tank fuel volume is received. Upon determining that a difference between the pumped amount of fuel and a detected change in a fuel volume in the fuel tank exceeds a threshold, a fuel pump is deactivated.

Abstract: Data are collected on at least one of a coolant temperature of a vehicle, an atmospheric ozone level, and air quality. A refueling time is determined based on the collected data. The vehicle is moved to a fueling station based on the refueling time.

Abstract: A drone control method is provided. The method may be responsive to drone recharge energy cost being greater than a predefined threshold and include commanding a processor of the drone to execute actions that preclude the drone from recharging. The method may also be responsive to drone charge level falling below a charge threshold selected only while the drone recharge energy cost exceeds the predefined threshold and include commanding the processor to execute actions to recharge the drone.

Abstract: Data are collected on a turbidity of a fuel tank at each of a plurality of fueling stations. A fueling station is selected based on the collected data. A vehicle is moved to the selected fueling station.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine an occupancy status of a vehicle based on received sensor data; and adjust a parameter of a powertrain of the vehicle in response to data indicating a critical condition of the powertrain based on the occupancy status. The parameter may be one of engine speed, cylinder deactivation, transmission-shift time, and shift schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling a piston arranged within a cylinder of an engine. Oil received from a connecting rod bearing and crank journal interface may be continuously transferred via an internal conduit in a connecting rod coupled to the piston wherein the internal conduit is formed within a hollow flange of the connecting rod. The oil may then be sprayed in a continuous manner via an external nozzle to an underside of the piston, enabling continuous piston cooling as the piston travels from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center position (BDC) and back.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator for supplying power to a load; and one or more controllers, programmed to responsive to detecting a fuel level reaching a predefined critical value, stop the generator and instruct a second vehicle to start to generate power, the vehicle serving as a pass-through conduit between the load and the second vehicle.

Abstract: A system, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to determine a best-fit snow boundary in an image including a reference object, determine a snow level based on comparing the best-fit snow boundary to the image of the reference object, and operate a vehicle by actuating vehicle components based on the determined snow level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust back pressure valve and secondary air injection to expedite catalyst heating. By adjusting the exhaust back pressure valve to increase the exhaust backpressure and injecting secondary air into an exhaust passage upstream of the catalyst during cold start conditions, exhaust catalyst activation may be expedited.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.