A method and system for controlling the stability and yaw response of a vehicle being equipped with a front axle (24), a rear axle (26), a controllable differential (22) and a control unit (50) arranged for locking and unlocking the differential (22), the method includes: selectively locking or unlocking the differential (22) depending on the operation of the vehicle; measuring at least the longitudinal vehicle speed (v); comparing the measured vehicle speed (v) with a predetermined first reference speed (v.sub.H); and locking the differential (22) if the measured vehicle speed (v) exceeds the first reference speed (v.sub.H).

An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.

An exemplary method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes the steps of providing a first component, providing a second component movably coupled to the first component, providing an actuator coupled to the second component and configured to actuate the second component between a first position and a second position, providing a vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, providing at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the vehicle sensor, and determining a baseline vehicle balance and determining an adjusted vehicle balance based on the measured vehicle characteristic.

An object of the invention is to realize an M+ control which is suitable to a driving scene without depending on pedal operation information of a driver. A vehicle motion control device according to the invention sets an absolute value of deceleration generated in the vehicle in a period in which the lateral motion of the vehicle is predicted to be changed from a state where the vehicle takes the lateral motion to a state where the vehicle does not take the lateral motion to be smaller than that generated in a period in which the lateral motion of the vehicle is predicted to be changed from a state the vehicle takes one of right and left lateral motions to a state where the vehicle takes the other lateral motion.

A method for determining the lean angle of a two-wheeler in which the axle load on at least one wheel is ascertained and the lean angle is calculated as a function of the axle load.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a power steering adjuster that adjusts an amount of an assistance in a steering to be provided by a power steering in accordance with a change in a state quantity related to an ease of a steering, and a steering stability controller that controls a control amount to perform a driving force control on a wheel of a vehicle in accordance with the change in the state quantity.

An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.

A method for determining the lean angle of a two-wheeler in which the axle load on at least one wheel is ascertained and the lean angle is calculated as a function of the axle load.

A variable stiffness automotive suspension bushing (1) comprises a shaft or rod connected to a wheel member, an inner cylinder fixedly connected to the shaft or rod, and an outer cylinder fixedly connected to a chassis member. A magnetorheological (MR) elastomer, having iron particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner and outer cylinders, and a coil is disposed about the inner cylinder. When the coil is energized by electrical current provided from a steering control module, a variable magnetic field is generated so as to influence the magnetorheological (MR) elastomer whereby variable stiffness values of the elastomer are obtained to provide the bushing (1) with variable stiffness characteristics in order to, in turn, provide the vehicle with optimal wheel deflection.

A method and system for controlling the stability and yaw response of a vehicle being equipped with a front axle (24), a rear axle (26), a controllable differential (22) and a control unit (50) arranged for locking and unlocking the differential (22), the method includes: selectively locking or unlocking the differential (22) depending on the operation of the vehicle; measuring at least the longitudinal vehicle speed (v); comparing the measured vehicle speed (v) with a predetermined first reference speed (v.sub.H); and locking the differential (22) if the measured vehicle speed (v) exceeds the first reference speed (v.sub.H).