Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a starter motor are described. In one example, the starter motor may engage a flywheel of an engine and rotate the engine without starting the engine in response to a request to move the vehicle without starting the engine. The starter motor may provide the propulsive force to move the vehicle a short distance.

Methods and systems are provided for optimizing engine climate control performance and fuel economy in engines configured with start/stop capabilities. Climate control inhibits of start/stop actions are adjusted as a function of operator driving habits and climate control inputs and preferences. The approach enables climate performance to be improved while also allowing for frequent idle-stop operation.

In some embodiments, a vehicle includes a temperature monitoring controller. The temperature monitoring controller is a processor, control module, or other suitable hardware that is configured to receive temperature sensor values from an engine control module (ECM) when an ignition bus is in a powered on state, and to decide when the engine should be automatically started in order to maintain a temperature above a low temperature threshold. The temperature monitoring controller periodically causes an ignition bus of the vehicle to be placed in the powered on state when the engine is shut down in order to collect temperature sensor values. The temperature monitoring controller determines whether to automatically start the engine, and if not, determines how long to wait before collecting temperature sensor values again based on a rate of change of the temperature sensor values.

Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and EGR cooling via a single heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include selecting a specific mode of operation of an engine exhaust system with the heat exchanger based on engine operating conditions and an estimated fuel efficacy factor. The fuel efficiency factor may take into account fuel efficacy benefits from EGR and exhaust heat recovery.

Methods and systems are provided for optimizing engine climate control performance and fuel economy in engines configured with start/stop capabilities. Climate control inhibits of start/stop actions are adjusted as a function of operator driving habits and climate control inputs and preferences. The approach enables climate performance to be improved while also allowing for frequent idle-stop operation.

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a starter motor are described. In one example, the starter motor may engage a flywheel of an engine and rotate the engine without starting the engine in response to a request to move the vehicle without starting the engine. The starter motor may provide the propulsive force to move the vehicle a short distance.

In some embodiments, a vehicle includes a temperature monitoring controller. The temperature monitoring controller is a processor, control module, or other suitable hardware that is configured to receive temperature sensor values from an engine control module (ECM) when an ignition bus is in a powered on state, and to decide when the engine should be automatically started in order to maintain a temperature above a low temperature threshold. The temperature monitoring controller periodically causes an ignition bus of the vehicle to be placed in the powered on state when the engine is shut down in order to collect temperature sensor values. The temperature monitoring controller determines whether to automatically start the engine, and if not, determines how long to wait before collecting temperature sensor values again based on a rate of change of the temperature sensor values.

A method for remote starting a motor vehicle includes collecting cabin temperature over a period of time during a remote start of the motor vehicle, developing a temperature vs. time profile for the motor vehicle based on the collection of the cabin temperature over the period of time in a back office, and notifying a user of the motor vehicle when to initiate subsequent remote starts to obtain a desired cabin temperature of the motor vehicle.

A starter is installed in a vehicle. In the starter, a crank shaft is driven by a motor which rotates a pinion gear in a state where a ring gear connected to the crank shaft is in engagement with the pinion gear. Thus, an engine is started. The starter sets a start-up period depending on the type of the start-up trigger that generates a start-up request for the engine, and sets a current supplied to the motor on the basis of the set start-up period. Thus, at least either of a rotation speed and an output torque of the motor is controlled. This control is implemented by a control circuit.

A vehicle and associated method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a user interface configured to select a start-stop mode, and a controller communicating with the engine and the user interface automatically shutdown and restart the engine, and inhibit the automatic engine shutdown or restart responsive to any of a first group of inhibitors, or alternatively, any of the first group and a second group of inhibitors depending on the start-stop mode selected via the user interface.