Disclosed are a vehicle and an engine control method for more conveniently restarting an engine in the state in which a function of automatically turning off the engine is activated during braking for improving fuel efficiency. The engine control method includes turning off an engine through an idle stop and go (ISG) system during braking due to manipulation of a brake pedal, determining whether at least one preset starting condition is satisfied based on information on a forward environment, and turning on the engine irrespective of whether manipulation of the brake pedal is released when any one of the at least one starting condition is satisfied.

A vehicle includes an engine, a rotary electric machine, an electric storage device, and a controller. The rotary electric machine is connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric storage device is configured to supply electric power to a drive source of the vehicle and to be charged with electric power from an external power source. The external power source is disposed outside the vehicle. The controller is configured to supply the electric power from the external power source to the rotary electric machine such that the output shaft is rotated when the electric storage device is chargeable with the electric power from the external power source.

A method, apparatus, system, vehicle, and/or computer program provides that one or more components of a vehicle are operated as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time.

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle in an electric idle mode are presented. The vehicle electrical idle mode may be characterized as a mode where the vehicle's engine is off; the vehicle increases torque to vehicle wheels responsive to an application of an accelerator pedal, release of a brake pedal, or a vehicle occupant shifting a transmission; and the vehicle's battery supplies electrical energy to devices of the vehicle being operated by a vehicle occupant.

A method and system for anti-idling management for a vehicle including an anti-idling system (AIS) is disclosed. Based on inputs from different sources associated with the vehicle, the AIS determines when anti-idling management should be enabled in order to control the engine of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the AIS includes an AIS battery that can be used to power auxiliary vehicle components when the vehicle is stopped via anti-idling control management.

An auto stop-start equipped vehicle power management system includes a primary power source supplying energy to an electrical starter to crank a vehicle engine and a secondary power source coupled in parallel to the primary power source. The secondary power source supplies energy to electric loads during an engine auto stop-start operation. The electrical loads maintain vehicle subsystem functionality during the engine auto stop-start operation. The energy supplied to the electrical loads is current limited during the engine auto stop-start operation. A controllable switch decouples the secondary power source from the primary power source and starter motor during the engine auto stop-start operation. Operating parameters of the electrical loads are monitored during the engine auto stop-start operation. If a respective operating parameter threshold associated with the electrical loads is exceeded during the engine auto stop-start operation, then the vehicle engine is automatically restarted and the controllable switch is subsequently closed.

A vehicle assistance control apparatus includes: an obstacle detection unit that detects a prescribed obstacle in the periphery of a vehicle; a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a speed of the vehicle; an accelerator operation detection unit that detects presence of an accelerator operation; a drive power restriction unit that detects, when the prescribed obstacle is detected, a drive power that is to be generated in the vehicle by an accelerator operation performed by a driver, compared to when the prescribed obstacle is not detected; and a cancellation unit that enables cancellation of the restriction of the drive power by the drive power restriction unit, when the speed is equal to or lower than a prescribed value and when a state where the accelerator operation detection unit detects that the accelerator operation is not being performed has continued for a prescribed period of time or longer.

A method for improving startability of a vehicle is provided, the vehicle being provided with a prime mover and a kinetic energy recuperation system. The prime mover is adapted to propel the vehicle either alone or in combination with the kinetic energy recuperation system which is operably coupled to the prime mover and to wheels of the vehicle and is adapted to store energy at times when there is an abundance of energy and to use energy at times when there is a demand for energy. A vehicle is also provided. The method includes determining that the vehicle is standing still or essentially standing still; detecting a take-off assistance condition; detecting a level of energy in the kinetic energy recuperation system; if the level of energy is found insufficient, connecting the prime mover to the kinetic energy recuperation system and running the prime mover such that energy from the prime mover is stored in the kinetic energy recuperation system; and when a driver requests the vehicle to take off, running the prime mover and consuming energy from the kinetic energy recuperation system such that the wheels of the vehicle initiate propelling thereof.

A method of managing torque at a vehicle standstill includes outputting torque from a powertrain to satisfy a driver torque demand. The method also includes, in response to a nonzero torque demand resulting in vehicle standstill, applying a friction brake to maintain the vehicle standstill and substantially reducing output torque of the powertrain during friction brake application. The method further includes satisfying driver torque demand using the powertrain and releasing the friction brake in response to the driver torque demand deviating from the nonzero torque demand by more than a predetermined amount.

Provided is a vehicle stop support system for supporting vehicle stop in an emergency condition. The vehicle stop support system detects a physical abnormality of a driver; sets a stop point; and controls a vehicle to travel to the stop point and stop at the stop point. The system is operable to: calculate, with respect to each of a plurality of stop point candidates, a first index value which increases with an increase in a lateral acceleration, a second index value which increases with an increase in rear-end collision risk, a third index value based on the detected abnormality, and a gross index value, wherein the gross index value is obtained by subjecting the first, second, and third index values to weighting, and summing the resulting weighted index values; and then set one of candidates which is smallest in terms of the gross index value, as the stop point.