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.

When temperature of a second power source of a vehicle becomes higher than a threshold value during a first mode in which three rotating elements of a differential gear can make differential movement and when four-wheel drive is needed, switching is performed to a second mode in which the three rotating elements are unified, and when four-wheel drive is not needed even when the temperature of the second power source becomes higher than the threshold value during the first mode, output of the second power source is restricted, while the first mode is maintained.

Methods and apparatus to facilitate wireless temperature control in a vehicle touch point are disclosed. An example vehicle comprises a field generator and a shifter. The field generator generates an electromagnetic field. The shifter comprises a receiving inductor, a thermoelectric element, a temperature sensor, and a processor. The receiving inductor generates an electric current from the electromagnetic field. The thermoelectric element is powered by the electric current. The sensor generates temperature information. The processor is configured to control delivery of the electric current to the thermoelectric element based on the temperature information.

A temperature display device of a vehicle is provided, which includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of coolant of an engine, the coolant being switched in circulation state by opening and closing a thermostat, between a first state where the coolant is circulated through a radiator and a second state where the coolant is circulated bypassing the radiator, a display unit for displaying a temperature of the coolant, and a controller for controlling a display mode of the display unit based on the detected temperature by the temperature sensor. When the detected temperature changes within a first temperature range where the thermostat is in an open state, the controller changes the displayed temperature on the display unit by less than the change of the detected temperature.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

A system for a vehicle with a wheel housing includes a wheel well liner secured to the wheel housing and disposed in a wheel well defined by the wheel housing. The system further includes a heating element in contact with the wheel well liner and operable to heat the wheel well liner. A method of heating a wheel well liner includes determining whether an ambient temperature around the wheel well liner is less than a predetermined temperature, determining whether a weight of a load on the wheel well liner is greater than a predetermined weight, and activating a heating element in contact with the wheel well liner if the ambient temperature is less than the predetermined temperature and the weight on the wheel well liner is greater than the predetermined weight.

A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature altering element; and activating the temperature altering element.

An electronic control unit includes a computer system provided with a processor device. The electronic control unit is configured to: collect from at least one sensor a detection signal indicative of a presence of objects in an environment ahead of a radiator of a vehicle, collect from a thermometer a measured temperature of an engine of the vehicle control an actuator to actuate a shutter of the radiator to either open the shutter completely, or close the shutter completely, or close the shutter partially, depending on a result of a test based on the detection signal and/or on the measured temperature.

A system includes heat generating components in a vehicle and a coolant flow path connected to the heat generating components. The system includes a coolant pump that circulates coolant through the coolant flow path and a reversing mechanism that reverses a direction of circulation of coolant.

An AWD-vehicle control device includes a transfer clutch that adjusts a driving force, a detector that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel, a detector that detects an accelerator pedal opening, a detector that detects a vehicle speed, a detector that detects an engine revolution speed, a detector that detects a turbine revolution speed of a torque converter, and a transfer clutch controller that adjusts hydraulic pressure supplied to the transfer clutch and controls a coupling force of the transfer clutch. If a predetermined period has passed from the accelerator pedal opening becoming less than a predetermined opening, the vehicle speed is within a predetermined range, a deviation between the engine and turbine revolution speeds is less than a predetermined speed, and the steering angle is equal to a first predetermined angle or greater, the transfer clutch controller controls the hydraulic pressure to reduce the coupling force.