Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine idle-stop based on upcoming traffic and road conditions. In one example, a method may include receiving data including traffic information and road characteristics immediately ahead of a vehicle from one or more remote sources, and adjusting one or more vehicle thresholds based on the received data. A duration of a prospective engine idle-stop may be estimated based on the received data and an engine idle-stop may be initiated based on the duration of the prospective engine idle-stop and the adjusted one or more vehicle threshold.

A control device comprising an electric power supply control part controlling a supply of electric power to a rotary electrical machine so as to use the output electric power of a second battery to make up for insufficient output electric power of a first battery when driving a vehicle by just drive power of the rotary electrical machine and a startup preparation starting part starting a supply of electric power to the catalyst device to start preparation for startup of the internal combustion engine if driving a vehicle by just drive power of the rotary electrical machine and the state of charge of the second battery becomes less than the state of charge for preparation for startup. The startup preparation starting part is configured to increase the state of charge for preparation for startup when the maximum output electric power of the first battery calculated based on the state of the first battery is small compared to if it is large.

A controller includes an engine controlling section and a motor-generator controlling section. The controller is configured to use the engine controlling section and the motor-generator controlling section to execute an intermittent stop control, a temperature increase control, an intermittent stop prohibition control, and a motoring control. The intermittent stop control automatically stops and restarts operation of an internal combustion engine. The temperature increase control increases the temperature of a filter in the exhaust passage to a temperature at which PM can be burned. The intermittent stop prohibition control prohibits stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine by the intermittent stop control until the temperature increase control is completed. The motoring control drives the output shaft of the internal combustion engine by the motor-generator, thereby forcibly rotating the internal combustion engine.

Methods and systems for operating an engine with an electrically heated catalyst and an electrically driven compressor are described. In one example, the electrically driven compressor and the electrically heated catalyst are activated before an engine start so that vehicle emissions may be reduced more efficiently at engine starting and thereafter.

Methods and systems are provided for increasing a catalyst temperature prior to entering a vehicle mode where combustion is temporarily discontinued. In one example, a method for increasing a temperature of an emission control device before a transient fuel shut-off (TFSO) event of an engine via a spark timing adjustment and an exhaust valve opening timing adjustments. Adjustments of the spark timing and the exhaust valve opening timing may change depending on whether a transient fuel shut off event of an auto-stop event occurs.

A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes inhibiting automatic engine stopping in response to a temperature of an emissions device exceeding a threshold temperature. In addition, additional actions may be taken to reduce the temperature of the emissions device when automatic engine stopping is inhibited.

Methods and systems are provided for relieving pressure from a compression locked engine. The engine may be compression locked during an engine start attempt due to operator application of a manual transmission clutch at or around the time of a first combustion event of the engine start. A direct injector of the compression locked cylinder is commanded open to relieve the pressure into the fuel rail.

A powertrain system includes a port injection internal combustion engine. A first start process is a process in which fuel is enclosed in a compression stroke cylinder when the engine is stopped, and based on a stored crank stop position, ignition is performed in a first cycle of the compression stroke cylinder upon engine start. A second start process is a process in which, based on the stored crank stop position, fuel injection is performed for an intake stroke cylinder while the engine is stopped, and based on the stored crank stop position, ignition is performed in the first cycle of the intake stroke cylinder upon engine start. When a catalyst temperature at the time engine start is requested is equal to or higher than a first threshold, a control device starts the internal combustion engine by at least one of the first start process and the second start process.

A system includes a valve actuation system, a pre-lubrication pump coupled to a lubrication circuit and configured to provide oil to the valve actuation system, a catalyst for receiving and treating exhaust gasses, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify an engine start request and determine whether the catalyst temperature is below a first threshold value. In response to determining that the catalyst temperature is below the first threshold value, the controller actuates the pre-lubrication pump to direct lubricant to the valve actuation system, controls the valve actuation system to deactivate at least one cylinder of an engine, and, subsequent to deactivating the at least one cylinder of the engine, cranks the engine.

Methods and systems for improving fuel economy and reducing emissions of a vehicle with an electric motor, an engine, an energy storage device, and a controller are disclosed. The method includes obtaining current state information including a current hybrid control surface, and determining a target hybrid control surface for the vehicle based on the current state information.