A control device is capable of executing: an ignition time calculation process of calculating a target ignition time of an ignition plug; a stop process of stopping combustion control for some cylinders of a plurality of cylinders; and a compensation process of controlling a motor generator during the stop process, such that the motor generator compensates a drive power that is lost due to the stop of the combustion control. The control device prohibits the execution of the stop process when the target ignition time calculated in the ignition time calculation process is on a retard side of a predetermined prescribed time.

A vehicle control system for preventing malfunction of the clutch for selectively connecting the engine with the power train. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having an engine, a motor disposed on a power train, and a clutch interposed therebetween. In order to prevent a malfunction of the clutch, the vehicle control system is configured to engage the clutch while causing a slip but without starting the engine if the engine has not yet been started.

A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.

A regulator valve regulates pressure of transmission fluid applied to a clutch of a transmission and a flow rate of the transmission fluid from the regulator valve to a transmission fluid sump. A transmission fluid pump is driven by an engine of the vehicle. A control module, while an ignition system of the vehicle is ON, selectively shuts down the engine of the vehicle for an auto-stop event. A target pressure module, before an engine speed reaches zero for the auto-stop event, increases a target value of a pressure of the transmission fluid at an output of the transmission fluid pump. A regulator control module, before the engine speed reaches zero for the auto-stop event and based on the increase in the target value of the pressure, adjusts the regulator valve to increase the pressure of the transmission fluid at the output of the transmission fluid pump.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle driveline are presented. In one example, a margin torque for closing a torque converter clutch is adjusted responsive to a state of engine operation.

A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission, an engine stop system, and a brake system. The brake system is configured to control a braking force of the wheel based on an operation state of a brake operating portion that is operated by a driver. The brake system includes a braking force adjusting device. The braking force adjusting device includes an actuator and an electronic control unit. The actuator is configured to adjust a braking force of the wheel. The electronic control unit is configured to, when the engine stop system stops the driving of the engine, control the actuator such that slip of a belt of the belt-type continuously variable transmission relative to the pulley becomes less than or equal to a predetermined allowable limit.

A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission, an engine stop system, and a brake system. The brake system is configured to control a braking force of the wheel based on an operation state of a brake operating portion that is operated by a driver. The brake system includes a braking force adjusting device. The braking force adjusting device includes an actuator and an electronic control unit. The actuator is configured to adjust a braking force of the wheel. The electronic control unit is configured to, when the engine stop system stops the driving of the engine, control the actuator such that slip of a belt of the belt-type continuously variable transmission relative to the pulley becomes less than or equal to a predetermined allowable limit.

A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, an electric heater, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge a battery through regenerative braking. The electric heater is configured to heat an engine coolant. The controller is programmed to redirect regenerative braking power to the electric heater in response to the engine coolant temperature being below a threshold.

A driving mode control method and apparatus of a hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The driving mode control method includes decreasing a torque of an engine when a first driving mode in which both the engine and a first motor are driven is switched to a second driving mode driven by the first motor and applying a torque of a second motor. A clutch is then opened when a difference between the engine torque and the second motor torque is less than a first threshold torque.

A driving mode control method and apparatus of a hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The driving mode control method includes decreasing a torque of an engine when a first driving mode in which both the engine and a first motor are driven is switched to a second driving mode driven by the first motor and applying a torque of a second motor. A clutch is then opened when a difference between the engine torque and the second motor torque is less than a first threshold torque.