A controller for a vehicle includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform various operations. The operations include determining that the vehicle is in reverse and in response, deactivating a cylinder of an engine of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a controller may respond to a temperature of a catalyst to permit or temporarily inhibit a vehicle from moving. Engine load and engine emissions may be reduced by limiting vehicle motion until a catalyst temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.

A system and method for dynamically varying an amount slippage of a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) provided between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle in response to non-powertrain factors. By varying a slippage output signal, the amount of TCC slippage between the engine and the transmission can be adjusted. Small amounts of slippage, relative to large amounts of slippage, provide (a) improved vehicle fuel economy, but (b) induce more powertrain noise and vibration in the vehicle cabin. By dynamically adjusting the slippage, a tradeoff between improved fuel economy vs. a satisfying driver experience can be realized.

A diagnosis device for an engine, the diagnosis device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute EGR diagnosis processing to diagnose whether or not the EGR device operates normally while a vehicle is being decelerated, execute air flow meter diagnosis processing to diagnose whether or not the air flow meter is normal while the vehicle is decelerated, execute the EGR diagnosis processing after starting the air flow meter diagnosis processing, and execute the EGR diagnosis processing when the air flow meter diagnosis processing has not been completed and predetermined conditions that a duration of deceleration of the vehicle being shorter than a diagnosis time that is required to execute the air flow meter diagnosis processing are fulfilled.

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 reducing a spark plug soot load and a combustion chamber soot load by controlling spark plug timing while injecting water or washer fluid. In one example, water or washer fluid is injected during a torque reduction while advancing spark timing so as to provide at least a portion of the torque reduction while opportunistically cleaning soot from the spark plug and combustion chamber. By reducing spark plug soot load, misfire occurrence is reduced, while pre-ignition occurrence is reduced by decarbonizing the combustion chamber.

Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, estimates of engine fuel consumption for operating the engine with a plurality of cylinder modes or patterns while a transmission is engaged in different gears are determined and are used as a basis for deactivating engine cylinders.

A variable displacement controller for deactivating one or more cylinder assemblies of a vehicle engine can include a processor for performing various operations and the operations can include: receiving data indicative of a requested torque and vehicle speed, determining a torque variable timer threshold value based on the received data indicative of requested torque and vehicle speed, initiating a timer, comparing the timer value to the variable timer threshold value, and selectively activating/deactivating at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies based on the comparison between the timer value and the variable timer threshold value. At least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is activated if the timer value is less than the variable timer threshold value, and at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is deactivated if the timer value is greater than or equal to the variable timer threshold value.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an engine control device with which it is possible to minimize decreases in combustion speed even when the EGR rate has been increased. The present invention is an engine control device for: controlling an engine provided with an injector for injecting fuel directly into a cylinder, an ignition device for igniting the injected fuel, and an EGR means capable of recycling combustion gas and varying the EGR rate of the recycling combustion gas; and commanding the injector to perform multiple injections during one cycle, wherein a command is given to perform a control for increasing the injection quantity per compression stroke relative to the total injection quantity in one cycle so that the injection quantity per compression stroke is greater when the EGR rate is high than when the EGR rate is low, and/or a control for increasing the number of injections per compression stroke relative to the total number of injections in one cycle so that the number of injections per compression stroke is greater when the EGR rate is high than when the EGR rate is low.

Method and systems are provided for, in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, reducing an alternator charging based on one or more of a spark timing, an engine speed, an air-fuel ratio, and an engine load. In this way, fuel consumption may be reduced while maintaining a battery SOC for operation of front-end accessories may be achieved, and fuel consumption may be reduced during aggressive vehicle driving conditions such has high engine loads near transmission downshift thresholds and high engine speeds.