A method and a system for adjusting a base idle speed of an engine are described. In one example, the method reduces engine speed according to output of a sensor that senses mechanical vibrations. Once a vibration level exceeds a threshold, engine speed reduction ceases and the base engine idle speed is adjusted according to a present engine speed.

Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust catalyst heating strategy that uses spark retard to increase an amount of heat output by an engine without a combustion stability limit. In one example, a method may include, during an engine cold start, applying an ignition spark at a timing that produces substantially zero combustion torque while maintaining an engine speed greater than a threshold speed via electric motor torque. Furthermore, an amount of heat output by the engine may be controlled by adjusting an airflow through the engine, such as by adjusting one or more of a throttle position and the engine speed.

Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.

In at least some implementations, a method of controlling a fuel-to-air ratio of a fuel and air mixture supplied to an engine, includes the steps of determining an engine deceleration event, determining the number of engine revolutions required for the engine speed to decrease from one speed threshold to another speed threshold, comparing the number of engine revolutions determined above against a revolution threshold, and making the fuel and air mixture richer if the number of engine revolutions determined above is greater than the revolution threshold. The method may also include determining if, before the engine stabilized at a stable engine speed (which may be an engine idle speed), the engine speed decreased below the stable engine speed as the engine decelerated to the stable engine speed from a speed above the stable engine speed, and making the fuel and air mixture leaner if the determination is affirmative.

An apparatus, method, and system for controlling an idle speed of an internal combustion engine during certain vehicle component operations to minimize unwanted motion and vibration. A transmission neutral engagement, a transmission forward or reverse gear engagement, and a vehicle speed are detected. An engine target idle speed is set to a first speed during the neutral engagement. An engine target idle speed is set to a second idle speed when a vehicle speed is less than a threshold speed and the forward or reverse gear is activated. The vehicle target idle speed is set to a third idle speed when the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold speed while the forward or reverse gear is activated, wherein the first target idle speed, second target idle speed and third target idle speed are different engine speeds.

An apparatus, method, and system for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine during certain vehicle component operations to minimize unwanted motion and vibration. The method includes detecting at least one of reverse gear engagement or reverse movement of the vehicle; wherein a feedback control of the internal combustion engine is switched from open-loop control to closed-loop control upon detection of at least one of a reverse gear activation or reverse movement of the vehicle.

Provided is a control device of a hybrid vehicle powered by an internal-combustion engine and a motor, wherein a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas is located in an exhaust passage of the internal-combustion engine, and the control device comprises: a learning unit configured to, during operation of the internal-combustion engine, learn a parameter for controlling a rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine so that a rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine during idling operation is equal to a target rotation speed; and a controller configured to stop the internal-combustion engine when a state where a correction amount of the parameter to cause the rotation speed during idling operation to be equal to the target rotation speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues for equal to or greater than a predetermined time period, the correction amount being obtained by learning by the learning unit.

Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.

A system for controlling a throttle signal, as well as methods of assembling the same, is provided. Controlling the throttle signal includes activating a supply of power to an electronic control unit (ECU). A first throttle signal associated with a throttle position signal of a vehicle throttle is communicated. An initial gear state of the vehicle is determined. Based on the initial gear state of the vehicle, a modified throttle signal to the ECU is communicated in response to receiving a command signal. Based on determining a change in the gear state of the vehicle, terminating the communication of the modified throttle signal. A second throttle signal that is associated with a second throttle position signal of the vehicle throttle is communicated.

A control device is applied for an internal combustion engine which is provided with a high-pressure fuel pump driven by a driving shaft of the internal combustion engine to discharge a fuel pressurized in a pressurizing chamber, an accumulator accumulating a high-pressure fuel discharged from the high-pressure fuel pump, and a relief valve which is opened when a fuel pressure in the accumulator is higher than a specified pressure in order to return the fuel in the accumulator to a specified chamber where a fuel has lower pressure than a fuel in the pressurizing chamber. An idle speed of the internal combustion engine is increased to a specified speed when the fuel pressure in the accumulator has been higher than a determination pressure, which is lower than the specified pressure, for a first period or longer.