Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a mode selector including at least a turn assist mode selectable by an operator of the vehicle to activate a turn assist feature, a controller to employ the turn assist feature by directing application of braking torque to an inside rear wheel of the vehicle during a turn when a trigger condition for implementing the turn assist feature may be detected, and a mu detection module to estimate mu conditions of a surface on which the vehicle may be operating. The controller may further automatically generate a blocking signal to block operation of the turn assist feature responsive to the mu detection module estimating a minimum mu value of the surface that may be less than a threshold mu value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a primary axle powered by an actuator and a secondary axle powered by a motor and including a wheel and a clutch selectively coupling the wheel to the motor via mating components. A controller is electrically connected to the clutch and the motor. The controller is programmed to, in response to an engagement of the clutch being unsuccessful within a first duration of time, command a series of speeds to the motor based on wheel speed and an alternating offset that changes between positive and negative signs at predefined periods so that relative speeds between the mating components oscillate due to the alternating offset to jiggle the clutch into engagement.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front axle having left and right front wheels and operably coupled to a first powerplant and a rear axle including left and right rear wheels operably coupled to one or more second powerplants. A controller is programmed to, in response to (i) a pivot-assist mode being requested and (ii) a steering wheel being turned beyond a threshold: command braking torques to one or more wheels and forward and/or reverse torques to one or more other wheels to induce moment at the front axle or rear axle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for reducing turn radius of a vehicle may include a controller and a torque control module operably coupled to the controller and to front wheels of a front axle of the vehicle and rear wheels of a rear axle of the vehicle. The controller may also be operably coupled to components and/or sensors of the vehicle to receive information including vehicle wheel speed and steering wheel angle. The torque control module may be operable, responsive to control by the controller, to apply a negative torque to an inside rear wheel during a turn and apply a positive torque to the front axle during the turn to compensate for the negative torque applied to the inside rear wheel to reduce the turn radius based on the steering wheel angle and the vehicle speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle in a mode to free the vehicle from being stuck in sand are presented. In one example, a speed of an electric machine is adjusted to determine when wheel jitter occurs. The electric machine speed may be maintained at a speed where wheel jitter occurs while the vehicle is stuck.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a primary axle powered by an actuator and a secondary axle powered by a motor and including a wheel and a clutch selectively coupling the wheel to the motor via mating components. A controller is electrically connected to the clutch and the motor. The controller is programmed to, in response to an engagement of the clutch being unsuccessful within a first duration of time, command a series of speeds to the motor based on wheel speed and an alternating offset that changes between positive and negative signs at predefined periods so that relative speeds between the mating components oscillate due to the alternating offset to jiggle the clutch into engagement.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for reducing turn radius of a vehicle may include a controller and a torque control module operably coupled to the controller and to front wheels of a front axle of the vehicle and rear wheels of a rear axle of the vehicle. The controller may also be operably coupled to components and/or sensors of the vehicle to receive information including vehicle wheel speed and steering wheel angle. The torque control module may be operable, responsive to control by the controller, to apply a negative torque to an inside rear wheel during a turn and apply a positive torque to the front axle during the turn to compensate for the negative torque applied to the inside rear wheel to reduce the turn radius based on the steering wheel angle and the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator, an outlet, and a controller. The generator is electrically connected to the outlet. The controller is programmed to, responsive to outlet temperature being less than a threshold, deliver an electric current from the generator to an external device that is connected to the outlet. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the outlet temperature exceeding the threshold, inhibit delivering the current from the electric machine to the external device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator, an outlet, and a controller. The generator is electrically connected to the outlet. The controller is programmed to, responsive to outlet temperature being less than a threshold, deliver an electric current from the generator to an external device that is connected to the outlet. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the outlet temperature exceeding the threshold, inhibit delivering the current from the electric machine to the external device.