Methods and systems are presented for improving performance of a vehicle operating in a cruise control mode where a controller adjusts torque output from a vehicle to maintain vehicle speed within a desired range. The methods and systems include adapting a vehicle dynamics model and a vehicle fuel consumption map that provide input to nonlinear model predictive controller.

An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

An assembly for an engine includes a control module including a controller operable to control at least certain aspects of the operation of the engine, a display including an input connected to the controller, and a wireless receiver connected to the controller. The wireless receiver is arranged to receive a signal from a wireless device to cause the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine and wherein the input when actuated causes the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine. In at least some implementations, no keyed ignition switch is provided to start the engine and the engine is started only via the wireless device or the input.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not to inhibit automatic engine stopping so that a lifespan of an engine starting device may be extended. In one example, the inhibiting is based on a ratio of an actual total number of engine starts generated via the engine starting device to an actual total distance traveled by the vehicle since the engine starting device was installed.

An override module allowing a vehicle operator to default the status of an automated start-stop system to “off.” A first embodiment uses a module that is installed in-line with a manual override button. A second embodiment uses a module that is installed on the vehicle's CAN bus.

An electronic control unit of a hybrid vehicle is configured to determine whether or not parking operation of the hybrid vehicle is being performed. The electronic control unit is configured to control the engine and the rotary electric machine such that starting the engine when the parking operation of the hybrid vehicle is being performed is harder than starting the engine when the parking operation of the hybrid vehicle is not being performed.

Rolling engine start-stop (RESS) system and methods for a vehicle include a set of sensors configured to measure a set of operating parameters of the vehicle comprising at least (i) driver input via brake pedal of the vehicle, (ii) vehicle speed, and (iii) a steering angle of the vehicle and a controller configured to, based on the set of operating parameters, determine a target vehicle speed for stopping an engine of the vehicle, and based on the steering angle of the vehicle, selectively stopping the engine of the vehicle when the vehicle speed falls to the determined target vehicle speed, wherein stopping the engine of the vehicle at the determined target vehicle speed decreases noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) caused by stopping the engine.

A stop-start control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a field of view exterior and forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the control determines the presence of a stopping area ahead of the vehicle and being approached by the vehicle. Responsive to determination of the presence of the stopping area ahead of the vehicle and being approached by the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle releases the accelerator pedal of the vehicle so the vehicle is coasting toward the determined stopping area, the control causes the engine to at least partially shut off.

A method and a corresponding device are provided for preventing an undesired vehicle motion during an automatic switch-off process of a drive machine in a motor vehicle. An automatic switch-off process is initiated by a start-stop apparatus before the standstill is reached if the motor vehicle is braked because of a deceleration request and the speed of the vehicle is less than a specified first speed threshold. A brake pressure of suitable magnitude is caused to be locked-in in the brake system even before the vehicle reaches the standstill if a first signal indicating that the vehicle standstill will soon be reached and a second signal indicating that an inability of the drive machine to operate in a self-sustaining manner will soon be reached are acquired because of an initiated automatic switch-off process of the drive machine.

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.