Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, the engine is started and coupled to the driveline via closing a clutch of a dual clutch transmission. Speed of the engine and clutch pressure are controlled to reduce driveline torque disturbances and provide a desired wheel torque.

Systems and methods for controlling a park pawl system of a hybrid vehicle having a hybrid powertrain comprising an engine and a hybrid transmission comprising at least one electric propulsion motor, the systems and methods each utilizing a control system configured to detect, using a main control system portion, a desired park state based on at least an input via a transmission gear selector and an input via a brake pedal and detect, using a distinct monitoring system portion, whether the desired park state is valid based on at least the transmission gear selector and brake pedal inputs. When the desired park state is valid, the control system commands the park pawl system to the desired park state. When the desired park state is invalid, however, the control system commands an electric park brake of the vehicle to prevent movement at a driveline of the vehicle.

Air ingestion into a transmission hydraulic system may lead to a number of issues. For example, the time to engage a hydraulically actuated parking mechanism may be excessive. As another example, the pump may not prime properly on a subsequent engine start. The air ingestion issue may be detected based on variability of transmission line pressure. When the line pressure variability exceeds a threshold, actions are taken to mitigate the potential issues.

Methods and systems are presented for improving engaging automatic vehicle motive power source stopping and inhibiting automatic vehicle motive power source stopping. The methods and systems include processing driver inputs in a machine learning model and characterizing the driver in one of a plurality of driver groups. Automatic vehicle motive power source stopping and starting may be adjusted responsive to a group in which a driver is a member.

Methods and systems are provided for entering into a parked state in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a dual clutch transmission. In one example, a driveline operating method comprises in response to a first condition, engaging a first gear and engaging a second gear of a dual clutch transmission in response to a request to enter a vehicle park state where an output of a transmission is held from rotating, and in response to a second condition, engaging a third gear and engaging a fourth gear of a dual clutch transmission in response to a request to enter a vehicle park state. In this way, a park state may be entered into without the use of a park pawl, which may reduce costs associated with the vehicle and which may prevent issues associated with degradation of the park pawl.

A drive device for a PTO shaft includes a parking switch to detect a parking state of a vehicle body, a permission switch constituted of a self-returning switch and connected to the parking switch, the permission switch being configured to be switched to permit driving a PTO shaft, the PTO shaft being configured to be driven by a power of a prime mover disposed on the vehicle body, and a first switch device to be switched to enable the PTO shaft to be driven when the permission switch is switched to permit driving the PTO shaft under a state where the parking switch detects the parking state of the vehicle body.

Disclosed is a method for controlling a neutral gear of an automatic transmission. The method includes: when a neutral gear control function of the automatic transmission is in an activated state, an automatic Transmission Control Unit (TCU) collects information on a pressure of a brake main cylinder, a state of a brake pedal, and whether an autohold function is in an activated state or not; and when the pressure of the brake main cylinder is smaller than a pressure threshold P.sub.3 of the neutral gear control function and the autohold function is in an inactivated state, or when the brake pedal is in an unstamped state and the autohold function is in the inactivated state, the automatic TCU controls the neutral gear control function to exit from the activated state.

A method for the provisional determination of the mass of a motor vehicle, for controlling a starting operation when the motor vehicle is at rest. The method determines the mass of the motor vehicle as a function of inclination information about the motor vehicle or the road on which the motor vehicle is located, and as a function of a force required for releasing an engaged parking lock while the motor vehicle is at rest.

A drive device for a PTO shaft includes a parking switch to detect a parking state of a vehicle body, a permission switch constituted of a self-returning switch and connected to the parking switch, the permission switch being configured to be switched to permit driving a PTO shaft, the PTO shaft being configured to be driven by a power of a prime mover disposed on the vehicle body, and a first switch device to be switched to enable the PTO shaft to be driven when the permission switch is switched to permit driving the PTO shaft under a state where the parking switch detects the parking state of the vehicle body.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain or driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines and a transmission are described. In one example, vehicle propulsion is maintained while transmission operating parameters are determined for improving transmission operation. In particular, a rear drive unit maintains vehicle speed and monitors torque delivered via an output of the transmission.