Methods and systems are presented for improving performance of a vehicle operating in a cruise control mode where a controller adjusts torque output from a vehicle to maintain vehicle speed within a desired range. The methods and systems include adapting a vehicle dynamics model and a vehicle fuel consumption map that provide input to nonlinear model predictive controller.

A method for controlling a lower limit of a state of charge of a power battery and a vehicle is provided. The method provided by the present disclosure includes: detecting a minimum ambient temperature for at least a period of time; predicting a minimum ambient temperature within a preset period of time after the at least a period of time according to the minimum ambient temperature within the at least a period of time; determining, according to the minimum ambient temperature within the preset period of time, a minimum state of charge value that able to meet power requirements for starting an engine of a vehicle under the minimum ambient temperature within the preset period of time; and adjusting a lower limit of the state of charge according to the minimum state of charge value.

An engine pre-heating system includes a housing that houses a climate control heating element and a controller configured in the housing. The controller generates an energizing signal for controlling an amount of electrical power provided to multiple engine heating elements that are thermally coupled to the engines of multiple vehicles. The controller also generates a climate control signal for controlling the climate controlled heating element to maintain the controller inside the housing within a specified temperature range. The energizing signal provided to the engine heating elements is inversely proportional to an ambient temperature proximate the engines.

A vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine coupled to a transmission element. The electric machine is also selectively coupled with the engine by a clutch. The vehicle includes a belt integrated starter-generator (BISG) operatively coupled to the engine. An electronic controller includes one or more inputs adapted to receive a temperature measurement and a request to start the engine. The electronic controller is programmed to, in response to the one or more inputs receiving the request to start the engine and the temperature measurement less than a threshold temperature measurement, effect actuation of the electric machine and close the clutch to apply a first torque to the engine. The electronic controller is further programmed to, in response to an engine speed achieving an engine speed threshold, effect actuation of the BISG to apply a second torque to the engine.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to monitor engine starting systems. An example apparatus includes processor circuitry to execute instructions to measure engine starting system data from a machine; determine a total starting crank time and an ambient air temperature for the machine from the engine starting system data; compare the engine starting system data using a machine learning model; model a relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time; generate a score of an engine starting system from the machine learning model; determine comparison result from the relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time; and display an alert to a user based on at least one of the score of the engine starting system or the comparison result from the relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time.

An idle reduction system for use with an engine can include a main unit including a controller, and a relay controlled by the controller. The relay can be electrically connected between an ignition switch and an electrical power source for starting the engine. A method of reducing idling of an engine can include connecting an idle reduction system, thereby permitting the system to shut down the engine in response to one or more predetermined conditions, the idle reduction system starting the engine in response to at least one of : a) battery voltage being less than a predetermined level, and b) engine temperature being less than a predetermined level, and the idle reduction system controlling operation of at least one of: an auxiliary air conditioner and an auxiliary heater.

Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a heat pump supplies thermal energy to an engine to reduce engine emissions during engine starting. Further, heating the engine via the heat pump may also reduce engine friction at colder ambient temperatures where oil viscosity may be increased.

A method and system for anti-idling management for a vehicle including an anti-idling system (AIS) is disclosed. Based on inputs from different sources associated with the vehicle, the AIS determines when anti-idling management should be enabled in order to control the engine of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the AIS includes an AIS battery that can be used to power auxiliary vehicle components when the vehicle is stopped via anti-idling control management.

A remote start system for a vehicle having an engine, and a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include at least one external temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an external vehicle temperature, and at least one internal temperature sensor coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to sense an internal vehicle temperature. The remote start system may also include a wireless remote control device and a controller coupled to the vehicle data communications bus to start the engine based upon the wireless remote control device and determine an idle time threshold based upon the external temperature. The controller may also stop the engine based upon reaching the idle time threshold or an internal vehicle temperature threshold.

A method for heating fuel upon start-up of a hybrid vehicle combustion engine, in which method temperature of fuel and temperature outside the vehicle are compared against a first threshold below which starting of the vehicle is forbidden, and against a second threshold higher than the first threshold and above which the engine will start without the fuel being heated. The fuel is heated by exchange of heat with a cooling circuit for the vehicle battery when the external temperature is between the two thresholds.