The control apparatus includes a heater configured to generate heat to heat the internal combustion engine, a controller configured to control a heat exchange system in such a way as to transfer EV exhaust heat to the internal combustion engine, and an controller configured to let electrical power be supplied from a battery to the heater before the internal combustion engine is started if it is predicted that a specific warmed-up condition of the internal combustion engine will not be established before the start of the internal combustion engine and not to let electrical power be supplied from a battery to the heating if it is predicted that a specific warmed-up condition of the internal combustion engine will be established before the start of the internal combustion engine.

Methods and systems are provided for selectively inhibiting a stop-start controller of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle on a road segment that includes one or more road attributes associated with increased levels of anxiety. In one example, selectively inhibiting a stop-start controller of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle includes determining a driver classification for a driver operating the vehicle; predicting an anxiety level of the driver at an upcoming traffic condition, based on the driver classification; and selectively inhibiting an upcoming engine idle-stop event based on the predicted anxiety level of the driver.

A control method capable of variably applying an existing engine-on line includes: a prediction degree calculation unit to predict a degree to which a temperature of a coolant at a current point after the engine is turned off reaches a target temperature by a request of full automatic temperature control (FATC); a factor determination unit to set reference ranges divided based on an extent that the temperature is close to the target temperature, and to determine a factor value for each reference range so that a predetermined existing engine-on line or a predetermined existing engine-off line is varied by required power; and an engine on/off line determination unit configured to determine a corrected engine-on line or a corrected engine-off line by calculating the existing engine-on line or the existing engine-off line and the factor value in the reference range in which a calculation value is positioned.

A battery starting and charging system that monitors battery and other sensor readings; tracks vehicle state, determines a charging voltage based on battery temperature and vehicle state; sets the alternator to charge the battery with the charging voltage; determines current collected parameters based on the battery and other sensor readings; and makes vehicle start predictions based on the current collected parameters. The system can also determine whether the vehicle actually started; add the current collected parameters to a set of start events if it started, and to a set of no-start events if it didn't start. The start prediction can also be based on the sets of start and no-start events for one or multiple vehicles. The collected parameters and start predictions can also be based on collected weather data. The system can use a local interconnect network (LIN) alternator with a LIN network.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a controller may respond to a presence or absence of a prediction of an increase in vehicle speed during a look ahead window. The controller may inhibit or allow automatic engine stopping in response to the presence or absence of the prediction of the increase in vehicle speed during the look ahead window.

A controller for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains a predicted temperature outside the vehicle and estimates the viscosity of a lubricating oil based on the oil pressure and the oil temperature of the lubricating oil when the internal combustion engine satisfies a specific operation condition. When the processing circuitry determines that there is a likelihood of a cranking failure occurring in the internal combustion engine on condition that the predicted temperature is less than a threshold value that is based on the viscosity, the processing circuitry outputs a notification signal indicating that that there is a likelihood of a cranking failure occurring in the internal combustion engine.

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 control method capable of variably applying an existing engine-on line includes: a prediction degree calculation unit to predict a degree to which a temperature of a coolant at a current point after the engine is turned off reaches a target temperature by a request of full automatic temperature control (FATC); a factor determination unit to set reference ranges divided based on an extent that the temperature is close to the target temperature, and to determine a factor value for each reference range so that a predetermined existing engine-on line or a predetermined existing engine-off line is varied by required power; and an engine on/off line determination unit configured to determine a corrected engine-on line or a corrected engine-off line by calculating the existing engine-on line or the existing engine-off line and the factor value in the reference range in which a calculation value is positioned.

A controller for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains a predicted temperature outside the vehicle and estimates the viscosity of a lubricating oil based on the oil pressure and the oil temperature of the lubricating oil when the internal combustion engine satisfies a specific operation condition. When the processing circuitry determines that there is a likelihood of a cranking failure occurring in the internal combustion engine on condition that the predicted temperature is less than a threshold value that is based on the viscosity, the processing circuitry outputs a notification signal indicating that that there is a likelihood of a cranking failure occurring in the internal combustion engine.

An engine start control device includes an pass determination section that performs a pass determination process of determining, based on a rotation state of the engine output shaft, whether a piston in a cylinder of the engine can pass over a compression top dead center for a rotation drop period in response to an occurrence of the start request. The engine start control device also includes a start control section that when it is determined that the piston cannot pass over the compression top dead center, starts driving of the motor in a low reaction force period to start the engine, the low reaction force period being a period in which a reaction force applied to the piston by a cylinder internal pressure in the cylinder is a predetermined value or less.