Abstract: A method for determining the engaged gear in a manual gearbox of a vehicle comprising a number of gears is described, wherein the vehicle comprises an engine, the manual gearbox, and at least one clutch. The method comprises the following steps: determination of the revolution rate of the engine as a function of time; differentiating the determined revolution rate of the engine against time; determination of the speed of the vehicle; and determination of the engaged gear based on characteristic curves of the revolution rate of the engine as a function of time for a number of the gears in the case of a fixed rate of engagement of the clutch, the revolution rate of the engine, the differential of the revolution rate of the engine against time and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electrical machine operable as a traction motor with a manual transmission arranged between the engine and the driving wheels and a clutch between the engine and the transmission generates an acoustic notification signal to indicate a gear shift that would result in either an excessive or insufficient engine speed. A different acoustic tone may be provided for a gear shift that would result in excessive engine speed than a gear shift that would result in insufficient engine speed. The acoustic notification signal may be a simulated engine noise.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electrical machine operable as a traction motor with a manual transmission arranged between the engine and the driving wheels and a clutch between the engine and the transmission generates an acoustic notification signal to indicate a gear shift that would result in either an excessive or insufficient engine speed. A different acoustic tone may be provided for a gear shift that would result in excessive engine speed than a gear shift that would result in insufficient engine speed. The acoustic notification signal may be a simulated engine noise.

Abstract: A method for determining the engaged gear in a manual gearbox of a vehicle comprising a number of gears is described, wherein the vehicle comprises an engine, the manual gearbox, and at least one clutch. The method comprises the following steps: determination of the revolution rate of the engine as a function of time; differentiating the determined revolution rate of the engine against time; determination of the speed of the vehicle; and determination of the engaged gear based on characteristic curves of the revolution rate of the engine as a function of time for a number of the gears in the case of a fixed rate of engagement of the clutch, the revolution rate of the engine, the differential of the revolution rate of the engine against time and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tensioning a belt of a belt drive of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a movable tensioning means assigned to an active tensioner is provided, which applies a force to a belt of a belt drive, and the active tensioner is controlled such that a compression of a spring of the tensioner is at least countered, so that a movement of the tensioning means under the load of the belt is at least hindered. The belt is then excited to vibration in a contact zone between the belt and the movable tensioning means by use of a starter so that the tensioning means exposed to the force of the spring is moved further in the direction of the belt under expansion of the spring, whereby the belt is tensioned.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tensioning a belt of a belt drive of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a movable tensioning means assigned to an active tensioner is provided, which applies a force to a belt of a belt drive, and the active tensioner is controlled such that a compression of a spring of the tensioner is at least countered, so that a movement of the tensioning means under the load of the belt is at least hindered. The belt is then excited to vibration in a contact zone between the belt and the movable tensioning means by use of a starter so that the tensioning means exposed to the force of the spring is moved further in the direction of the belt under expansion of the spring, whereby the belt is tensioned.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for supplying heat to a passenger compartment during a filter regeneration event. In one example, a first phase of a filter regeneration event is initiated for a filter in an internal combustion engine based on one or more parameters, with heat produced by the engine then supplied to a heater core during the first phase, and the first phase extended if heating is requested for a duration based on ambient temperature. The engine may be operated at reduced efficiency during the filter regeneration event, and in some embodiments, the method may further include injecting an additional amount of fuel during a second phase of the filter regeneration event after the first phase ends to cause soot combustion in the filter.