A method and device for controlling an engine clutch of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The method includes setting a target speed of an engine to change a driving mode of the hybrid vehicle from an EV mode to an HEV mode and operating a HSG to adjust an engine speed to reach the target speed. An engine clutch that connects the engine with a driving motor or disconnects the engine from the driving motor is engaged to start when the speed of the engine is maintained at the target speed. A kiss point generated when the engine clutch is in a slip state is detected to learn the kiss point of the engine clutch and an output of the engine is increased based on a driver required torque when the speed of the engine and a speed of the driving motor are synchronized after the kiss point is learned.

A method and device for actuating a shift element of an automatic transmission having a start-stop function and a pressure medium pump driven by an internal combustion engine. The shifting elements are clutches or brakes that can be actuated by a piston which is actuated for engagement via pressure supplied to a pressure space. The pressure space is depressurized when the engine stops. To enhance start-stop operation, the shifting elements comprise an additional pressure space that acts, in opposition to the pressure space acting in the engaging direction, as a controllable restoring mechanism which can be rendered inactive, if desired. If the engine stops and the automatic start-stop function is activated, the additional pressure spaces, acting in the restoring direction, are depressurized before the pressure drop in the pressure spaces, acting in the engaging direction, of the pistons, but are otherwise permanently pressurized during driving operation.

A system and method for operating a vehicle equipped with an automatic stop and start system is disclosed. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and a fluid launch device with an impeller disconnect clutch. A controller may initiate an automatic stop or start of the engine under certain operating conditions. During an engine start/stop event, the engine is automatically shut down and the impeller clutch of the fluid launch device may be disengaged to decouple the engine and transmission from the driveline to provide for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

An illustrative example embodiment of a system for providing an indication to a driver includes a clutch that is at least partially automatically controllable and clutch control means configured to control the clutch in a manner that results in a haptic indication to a driver based on at least one predefined condition. In an example embodiment, the clutch control includes automatically adjusting an amount of clutch engagement to provide the haptic indication.

A system and method for operating a vehicle equipped with an automatic stop and start system is disclosed. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and a fluid launch device with an impeller disconnect clutch. A controller may initiate an automatic stop or start of the engine under certain operating conditions. During an engine start/stop event, the engine is automatically shut down and the impeller clutch of the fluid launch device may be disengaged to decouple the engine and transmission from the driveline to provide for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

A vehicle control system configured to carry out an energy saving control is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having an engine, a torque converter, a transmission and a clutch device selectively connecting a turbine runner to the transmission. The vehicle control system executes the energy saving control by controlling both an operating condition of the engine and an engagement condition of the clutch device or only the engagement condition of the clutch device. The vehicle control system comprises a clutch control means configured to increase the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch device using an increasing amount of a speed of the turbine runner as a target value, when bringing the clutch device into engagement being in disengagement during execution of the energy saving control.

A power transmitting apparatus can be configured to restart an engine when the acceleration pedal is actuated in an assist-start engine speed range and can improve responsiveness of engine restart. Such a power transmitting apparatus of a vehicle can provided with a clutch for selectively transmitting or cutting off a driving power of an engine to wheels. The power transmitting apparatus can comprise an assist-controller configured to increase an engine rotational speed above an self-start rotational speed by actuating the clutch when the vehicle is decelerated and fuel supply to the engine is stopped, in response to operation of an acceleration pedal of the vehicle, when the engine rotational speed is in an assist-start range which is an engine rotational speed range lower than the self-start rotational speed and higher than a starter-start rotational speed in which the engine cannot be started by a starter.