A method for providing vehicle alerts includes receiving an ignition signal indicating a current status of an ignition of a vehicle and receiving a gear position signal indicating a current gear position of a transmission of the vehicle. The method also includes receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating a current vehicle speed of the vehicle and identifying a vehicle alert data file based on at least the ignition signal, the gear position signal, the vehicle speed signal. The method also includes retrieving the vehicle alert data file from a vehicle alert database and loading data associated with the vehicle alert data file into a buffer. The method also includes outputting contents of the buffer to at least one output device of the vehicle.

A system is described, as well as methods of using the system. The method may include: determining at least one of the following: a communication error, a read-memory error, or an absence of a PTU shift between a two-wheel drive (2WD) mode and an all-wheel drive (AWD) mode for a threshold amount of vehicle operation; determining that a vehicle ignition state is not in a RUN state; and executing the task.

A power control device for a power supply mounted on a vehicle is provided, which includes a generator mounted on the vehicle and configured to regenerate power from kinetic energy of the vehicle, a high-voltage battery configured to accumulate the power regenerated by the generator, a low-voltage battery of which a nominal voltage is lower than the high-voltage battery, a voltage converter configured to lower an output voltage from the high-voltage battery and charge the low-voltage battery at the lower voltage, and a controller configured to control the voltage converter. The controller operates the voltage converter to start the charging of the low-voltage battery after the vehicle is powered ON and before an engine mounted on the vehicle is started.

An apparatus configured for controlling starting of engine may include a clutch pedal including an ignition lock switch, a starter, a status detecting unit, an electronic clutch mounted between the engine and a transmission, a clutch controller configured to control coupling and releasing of the electronic clutch, check status of the electronic clutch and generate a clutch status data, and a vehicle controller configured to enter coasting running mode based on the vehicle status data, and, during the coasting running mode, operate the starter and restart the engine based on the clutch status data provided from the clutch controller and a switch status data of the ignition lock switch when a position value of an acceleration pedal included in the vehicle status data is equal to or greater than an acceleration reference value.

A vehicle control system (1) configured for autonomous driving includes an autonomous driving mode in which the vehicle is operated without requiring an intervention of the driver at least in regard to steering or acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle, and an autonomous stopping mode in which the vehicle is brought to a stop in a prescribed stop area when it is detected that the control unit or the driver has become incapable of properly maintaining a traveling state of the vehicle. A control unit (15) transfers driving responsibility in regard to an operation input unit to the driver when an operation amount applied to the operation input unit exceeds a first threshold when an autonomous driving mode is being executed, and when an operation amount applied to the operation input unit exceeds a second threshold greater than the first threshold when an autonomous stopping mode is being executed.

A vehicular control system for reducing shocks by inhibiting switching operation of a dog clutch when drive force cannot be assisted by an engine. A controller determines that an increase in the drive force by the engine is restricted. In a case that an increase in the drive force is not restricted when launching the vehicle, the controller establishes a first gear stage in the transmission to launch the vehicle, and shift to the second gear stage upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition during propulsion while increasing the drive force. In a case that an increase in the drive force is restricted when launching the vehicle, the controller establishes a second gear stage in the transmission to launch the vehicle.

A method and system for applying vehicle settings to a vehicle. The method and system include receiving a device identification (ID) from at least one of: a first portable device and a second portable device. The method and system additionally include identifying a user settings profile that is associated to the device ID. The method and system also include determining if the user settings profile has been updated since a last ignition cycle of the vehicle. The method and system further include applying the user settings profile to control a vehicle system, wherein the user settings profile is retrieved from at least one of: a central user settings data repository, a telematics unit of the vehicle, and a head unit of the vehicle.

An automotive battery system that includes a lead-acid battery electrically coupled to a first bus, in which the lead-acid battery supplies electrical power to a starter via the first bus to cold crank an internal combustion engine of a vehicle; a lithium-ion battery electrically coupled to a second bus, in which the lithium-ion battery captures and stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system when the vehicle brakes and supplies electrical power to the second bus using the electrical energy captured from the regenerative braking system such that a first portion of the second electrical power is supplied to an electrical system; and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled between the first bus and the second bus, in which the DC/DC converter controls supply of a second portion of the second electrical power to charge the lead-acid battery.

Presented are traction battery pack balancing systems, methods for making/operating such systems, and multi-pack, electric-drive motor vehicles with battery pack balancing capabilities. A method for controlling operation of a motor vehicle includes a vehicle controller: receiving a key-off command signal to power off the motor vehicle; determining if a difference between corresponding electrical characteristics of first and second traction battery packs is greater than a calibrated characteristic differential threshold; determining if a difference between corresponding battery pack capacities of the first and second traction battery packs is greater than a calibrated capacity differential threshold; and, responsive to the characteristic difference not being greater than the calibrated characteristic differential threshold and the capacity difference being greater than the calibrated capacity differential threshold, transmitting a key-on command signal to power on the motor vehicle, and a pack balancing command signal to reduce the capacity difference to below the calibrated capacity differential threshold.

Provided is a control device for a vehicle. A control device for a vehicle includes a vehicle that includes an engine and a main motor, and a transmission equipped with first and second input shafts which are respectively connected to the engine via first and second clutches, an output shaft through which power is output to drive wheels, first and second transmission mechanisms which respectively includes a plurality of transmission gears selectively joined to the first and second input shaft respectively, and an ECU. When the main motor is driven and when the engine is stopped, the ECU determines that the vehicle travels using power of the engine using the transmission gears of one of transmission mechanisms in a case where defective engagement release occurs such that a transmission gear of the other transmission mechanism is not disengaged.