A method for operating an engine is disclosed. The method includes activating an engine idling reduction mode. The engine is shut down when the engine idling mode is active and when a measure of at least one first parameter, associated with each of one or more components coupled to the engine, is in respective predetermined ranges. The one or more components comprise at least a transmission assembly. The at least one first parameter corresponds to a temperature of oil in the transmission assembly. The engine is started when the engine idling mode is active and when the measure of the at least one first parameter, associated with at least one of the one or more components, is less than predetermined threshold values.

Methods and controllers for controlling engine speed to reduce NVH that occurs in conjunction with transmission shifts are described. In some embodiments, when a transmission shift to a target gear is expected, a target engine speed appropriate for the target gear is first determined. A target rate of change of the engine speed is calculated from the initial engine speed and target engine speed in conjunction with a target transition time. A target torque is then calculated from the target rate of change of engine speed. A target firing fraction or induction ratio are determined that are desired for use with the target engine speed based on the target torque. The transition to the target engine speed and target firing fraction or induction ratio are completed before the gear shift is completed. The described approaches are well suited for use during skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine.

Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder misfire in a vehicle engine via a plurality of sensors, based on dual mass flywheel (DMF) operating frequency. In response to detection of a misfire event, the misfiring cylinders may be deactivated and upon confirmation of DMF operation out of a resonant frequency range, the deactivated cylinder(s) may be sequentially reactivated.

A hybrid vehicle includes powertrain components such as an engine, an automatic transmission, and a traction motor selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch and to the transmission. At least one controller is programmed to control these powertrain components. The vehicle is driven over a drive cycle that includes multiple engine starts and transmission gear shifts. An amount of fuel consumption used during these engine starts and transmissions gear shifts is stored on an on-board storage device. Subsequently, the engine is inhibited from starting and the transmission is inhibited from shifting gears based on the amount of fuel consumption associated with the engine starts and transmission gear shifts performed during the drive cycle as recalled from the storage device.

A vehicle includes a motor positioned between an engine and a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller controls engine torque and maintains motor torque during wheel torque and driveline component torque reversals to limit a vehicle output torque rate of change through a lash region associated with a range of driveline torque ratios. A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle includes controlling engine torque to a specified profile and maintaining motor torque at a generally constant value during at least one of wheel torque and driveline component torque reversals to limit a vehicle output torque rate of change through a lash region associated with a range of driveline torque ratios.

Systems and methods for improving regeneration of a particulate filter located in an exhaust system of a vehicle are presented. In one example, the particulate filter is regenerated when the vehicle is expected to operate in a stationary electric power generating mode where the vehicle supplies electric power to off-board electric power consumers.

A vehicle has an engine, a CVT and at least one ground engaging member. A method of controlling the engine includes the steps of: determining an idle speed set point based at least in part on a first speed proportional to a driven pulley speed, the idle speed set point being less than an engagement speed when the driven pulley speed is less than a predetermined driven pulley speed and being less than an actual engine speed when the driven pulley speed is greater than the predetermined driven pulley speed; and controlling the engine to operate under conditions corresponding to the idle speed set point when a desired engine speed is less than the idle speed set point. Controlling the engine to operate under conditions corresponding to the idle speed set point causes engine braking when the driven pulley speed is greater than the predetermined driven pulley speed.

An outboard motor is provided with: an encoder which detects the rotational speed of an engine; a position sensor which detects an operating position of a shift lever; and a state quantity detection unit which detects a state quantity of a shift actuator. A control device of the outboard motor determines whether the state quantity is more than or equal to a stop-initiating threshold value when the operating position has been switched. If the state quantity is more than or equal to the stop-initiating threshold value, the control device implements a stop control to stop ignition and/or fuel injection in the engine.

A control device serving as a torque estimation device includes a storage device and a processing circuit. The storage device stores data of a trained neural network. The trained neural network is trained using training data including data of an actually-measured torque that is measured, data of an accelerator operation amount in a period of a predetermined length up to a time point of measurement of the actually-measured torque, and data of an acceleration of a vehicle from the time point of measurement of the actually-measured torque onward. The processing circuit inputs, to the trained neural network stored in the storage device, input data including the data of the accelerator operation amount and the data of the acceleration of the vehicle, to estimate a torque generated in a power transmission member.

Methods and systems are provided for classification of the type and weight of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The classification is based on a comparison between a real-time road gradient as determined by the vehicle system and an expected road gradient as determined from an off-board or an onboard map. Vehicle operations may be adjusted based on the classification of the attached trailer.