A speed change ECU for a CVT sets a target input rotational speed Nin* such that the speed ratio of the CVT is varied stepwise a plurality of times consecutively to the downshift side in response to an operation to depress a brake pedal by a driver, and sets the target input rotational speed Nin* such that an amount of increase S(1), S(2), . . . in input rotational speed along with a downshift becomes smaller as the number of times of execution of downshifts is increased while downshifts in which the speed ratio is varied stepwise are executed consecutively.

A hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric machine, and a step-ratio transmission includes a controller programmed to, in response to an accelerator lift-pedal event when operating in a towing mode, learn a vehicle speed, and apply a lift-pedal torque when vehicle speed exceeds the learned vehicle speed, and apply an adjusted lift-pedal torque based on a gear ratio after downshifting the transmission to maintain a constant output shaft torque otherwise.

A transmission controller includes: a corner detector that detects a corner; a predictor to predict a rolling amount based upon road data when the corner is detected and an accelerator opening degree is fully closed; a device to determine a first necessary engine braking amount in accordance with the rolling amount; a device to determine a first required speed change stage corresponding to the first necessary engine braking amount; a calculator to calculate a second necessary engine braking amount when the corner is detected and the accelerator opening degree is fully closed based upon a minimum required inter-vehicle distance with the vehicle ahead; a device to determine a second required speed change stage corresponding to the second engine braking amount; and a transmission controller to select, as a target speed change stage, either smaller one of the first or second required speed change stage, and then perform downshift control.

A speed change ECU for a CVT sets a target input rotational speed (Nin*) such that the speed ratio of the CVT is varied stepwise a plurality of times consecutively to the downshift side in response to an operation to depress a brake pedal by a driver, and sets the target input rotational speed (Nin*) such that the time interval between consecutive downshifts becomes longer as the number of times of execution of downshifts is increased on the basis of intershifting times (tint(1)), (tint(2)), . . . while downshifts in which the speed ratio is varied stepwise are executed consecutively.

Methods and systems for a hydromechanical transmission. In one example, a vehicle system includes a hydromechanical transmission with a power-take off (PTO) that is designed to rotationally couple to an implement. The vehicle system further includes an engine coupled to the hydromechanical transmission and a power-management control unit configured to, during a drive or coast condition, cause the power-management control unit to: determine a net available power for the hydromechanical transmission and manage a power flow between the hydromechanical transmission, a drive axle, and the implement based on the net available power.

A vehicle and methods of braking the vehicle on a downhill grade as automatically implemented by a computing device are disclosed. One method includes detecting application of a vehicle brake and detecting acceleration of the vehicle while the vehicle traverses the downhill grade. Based on detection of the application of the vehicle brake and detection of the acceleration of the vehicle, the method also includes sending a command to downshift a transmission of the vehicle. If, after the downshift of the transmission, the application of the vehicle brake is not detected for a threshold time, the acceleration of the vehicle falls below a threshold acceleration, or the downhill grade falls below a threshold grade, the method can further include sending a command to upshift the transmission.

A transmission includes a stationary member, an input member, and gear sets each having a plurality of nodes. The transmission includes a first clutch that connects a node of one gear set to the stationary member to establish an L1 mode, and a second clutch that connects a node of another gear set to the stationary member to establish a 2L mode. A SOWC is connected between nodes of two gear sets, and a controller, in response to a requested shift L1-L2 shift while engine braking, executes a method to release the first clutch and thereby enters a neutral mode. The SOWC is released when slip across the first clutch exceeds a first threshold, then the first clutch reapplied when a SOWC slip level exceeds another threshold to thereby enter a 1.sup.st gear freewheeling mode. The second clutch is reapplied to enter the L2 mode and resume engine braking.

A cruise control system of a motor vehicle includes additional functionality to address increasing vehicle speed on a down gradient. A downshift is commanded upon detection of repeated or prolonged activation of a speed-down control, the additional engine braking reducing vehicle speed to cruise speed in a manner which is within driver expectation.

A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine and a brake booster amplifying a brake force by forming a negative pressure in a negative pressure tank by rotation of the engine. The running control device is configured to execute an engine brake running mode performed with the engine coupled to wheels such that an engine brake is applied by driven rotation of the engine and an inertia running mode performed with an engine brake force made lower than that of the engine brake running mode. The running control device executes a first inertia running mode performed with the rotation of the engine stopped and a second inertia running mode performed with the engine kept rotating as the inertia running mode in accordance with predefined respective execution conditions. The running control device comprises a prediction portion configured to predict a necessity of the negative pressure.

A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine and a brake booster amplifying a brake force by forming a negative pressure in a negative pressure tank by rotation of the engine. The running control device is configured to execute an engine brake running mode performed with the engine coupled to wheels such that an engine brake is applied by driven rotation of the engine and an inertia running mode performed with an engine brake force made lower than that of the engine brake running mode. The running control device executes a first inertia running mode performed with the rotation of the engine stopped and a second inertia running mode performed with the engine kept rotating as the inertia running mode in accordance with predefined respective execution conditions. The running control device comprises a prediction portion configured to predict a necessity of the negative pressure.