Abstract: An engine idling control system includes a receiver module and a timing module. The receiver module receives a signal indicative of a traffic light status. The timing module communicates with an engine and the receiver module and selectively starts and stops the engine based on the signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle includes the steps of obtaining information pertaining to a condition of the engine, and controlling the volume based at least in part upon the condition.

Abstract: A control system and method for detecting a hydraulic system leak in an engine includes a pressure sensor that senses a first pressure reading of a hydraulic fluid supply at a first time and a second pressure reading of said hydraulic fluid supply at a second time. A comparison module calculates a pressure ratio based on the first and second pressure readings and signals a fault condition based on a relationship between the pressure ratio and a pressure threshold.

Abstract: An engine oil change detection control system is provided. The system includes an armature position module that monitors a solenoid armature position based on a position signal. A solenoid control module selectively generates a solenoid control signal and estimates a delay time based on the solenoid control signal and the armature position. An engine oil change detection module detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.

Abstract: A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a triggering module and a cylinder control module. The triggering module generates a trigger when a catalyst temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature. In response to the generation of the trigger, the cylinder control module: disables opening of an exhaust valve of a cylinder for an exhaust phase of a first combustion cycle of the cylinder; disables opening of the exhaust valve for N combustion cycles of the cylinder that follow the first combustion cycle; and enables opening of the exhaust valve for a second combustion cycle that follows the N combustion cycles. N is an integer greater than zero.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a catalyst module and a cylinder module. The catalyst module determines a catalyst temperature. The cylinder module selectively switches operation of a first cylinder from a first engine cycle having four strokes to a second engine cycle having N times four strokes, based on the catalyst temperature, wherein N is an integer greater than one. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an engine assembly having a hydraulically actuated component. The method may include providing pressurized oil from a pressurized oil source to an oil passage in communication with the hydraulically actuated component and determining a first oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a first predetermined time after the providing. The method may further include preventing operation of the hydraulically actuated component when the first oil pressure measurement is below a first predetermined limit, isolating the oil passage from the pressurized oil source after the providing, and determining a second oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a second predetermined time after the isolating when the first oil pressure measurement is above the first predetermined limit. Operation of the hydraulically actuated component may be prevented when the second oil pressure measurement is above a second predetermined limit.

Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a road grade module and a predictive control module. The road grade module detects a grade of a road that is ahead of the vehicle. The predictive control module detects that a first cylinder of an engine of the vehicle is deactivated while a second cylinder of the engine is activated. The predictive control module activates the first cylinder based on the grade.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine stop/start system includes connecting an armature of a starter motor to the engine through an overrunning clutch when the engine changes a rotational direction.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a triggering module and a cylinder control module. The triggering module generates a trigger when a catalyst temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature. In response to the generation of the trigger, the cylinder control module: disables opening of an exhaust valve of a cylinder for an exhaust phase of a first combustion cycle of the cylinder; disables opening of the exhaust valve for N combustion cycles of the cylinder that follow the first combustion cycle; and enables opening of the exhaust valve for a second combustion cycle that follows the N combustion cycles. N is an integer greater than zero.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises an intake valve deactivation module and an exhaust valve deactivation module. The intake valve deactivation module deactivates an intake valve of a cylinder of an engine based on an engine stop request such that the intake valve remains closed. The exhaust valve deactivation module deactivates an exhaust valve of the cylinder after the intake valve deactivation module deactivates the intake valve such that the exhaust valve remains closed.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a coefficient calculation module that selects one of N coefficients based on an AFM selection by a corresponding one of N users. A switching torque calculation module calculates an adjusted active fuel management (AFM) switching threshold based on the one of the N coefficients, a maximum torque of an engine, and a default AFM switching threshold.

Abstract: Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel.

Abstract: An engine having a fluid lubrication and control system is provided. The engine also includes a pump configured to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system when the engine is running. The engine additionally includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the lubrication and control system. The accumulator is configured to accumulate and retain fluid when the engine is running, and to discharge the fluid when the engine is not running in order to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system. A method for controlling oil pressure in the engine is also provided.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a catalyst module and a cylinder module. The catalyst module determines a catalyst temperature. The cylinder module selectively switches operation of a first cylinder from a first engine cycle having four strokes to a second engine cycle having N times four strokes, based on the catalyst temperature, wherein N is an integer greater than one. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system for reducing belt noise in an engine, wherein the belt is engaged with an alternator includes a transmission upshift detection module determining a transmission upshift or a quickly closing throttle detection module determining a quickly closing throttle. The control module further includes an engine speed prediction module determining a predicted engine speed in response to determining a transmission upshift and an engine deceleration prediction module determining a predicted engine deceleration when the predicted deceleration of the engine crankshaft is greater than a threshold. An alternator control module controls a rotor current in the alternator to add load to the alternator rotor to reduce potential belt noise.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an active fuel management (AFM) control module that selectively enables and disables an AFM mode using at least one AFM valve. The engine control system further includes a solenoid fault correction module that selectively opens and closes at least one AFM valve when AFM mode is disabled.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine in a delayed exhaust engine cycle may include opening an intake valve of the engine during a first stroke to form an intake stroke. The method may further include closing the intake valve and determining an engine operating temperature. The engine operating temperature may be compared to a predetermined temperature limit. A first fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber between an end portion of a second stroke and a beginning portion of a third stroke. The third stroke may form a first power stroke and the intake valve and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be closed during the second and third strokes. The exhaust valve may be maintained in a closed position during a fourth stroke when the engine operating temperature is less than the predetermined temperature limit.