Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

A method for performing a cold start in a vehicle having a power-spat transmission with a hydrostatic element comprising hydrostatic units. Several cold-start steps are performed sequentially for a cold start, the length of at least one of the cold-start steps is adapted depending on a temperature representing the start temperature of the power-split transmission. A state of the power-split transmission deviating from the temperature of the power-split transmission is monitored, during the execution of at least one of the cold-start steps, and, depending on this state, a transition from the respective cold-start steps to the subsequent cold-start step is performed, thus adapting the length of time of the respective cold-start steps.

A method for performing a cold start in a vehicle having a power-spat transmission with a hydrostatic element comprising hydrostatic units. Several cold-start steps are performed sequentially for a cold start, the length of at least one of the cold-start steps is adapted depending on a temperature representing the start temperature of the power-split transmission. A state of the power-split transmission deviating from the temperature of the power-split transmission is monitored, during the execution of at least one of the cold-start steps, and, depending on this state, a transition from the respective cold-start steps to the subsequent cold-start step is performed, thus adapting the length of time of the respective cold-start steps.

A method for controlling a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a controller, whether a state of charge (SOC) of a first battery that supplies electric power to a starter-generator exceeds a reference value. The method further includes operating, by the controller, the starter-generator and a starter that is separate from the starter-generator and receives electric power from a second battery at a voltage lower than that of the first battery. A combustion engine of the mild hybrid vehicle is started using the starter-generator and the starter when it is determined that the state of charge of the first battery exceeds the reference value and it is determined that an ambient air temperature of the engine exceeds a temperature reference value.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a power storage device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to limit execution of power storage capacity decreasing control and execution of power storage capacity recovering control when a condition a) and a condition b) are both satisfied than when the condition a) and a condition c) are both satisfied, a) is parking at a predetermined point is predicted b) a temperature of the power storage device is out of a predetermined temperature range, and c) the temperature of the power storage device is within the predetermined temperature range.

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle executes control in which a state of charge of the battery at a time point at which the hybrid vehicle reaches a destination is lower than an upper limit state of charge by executing an EV mode until the hybrid vehicle reaches the destination. During execution of the control, if an estimated value of a lowest temperature of an engine coolant until the hybrid vehicle reaches the destination is equal to or higher than a first threshold value, the EV mode is started when the EV mode is continuable to the destination, and if the estimated value of the lowest temperature is lower than the first threshold value, a section for executing the EV mode is shortened compared to when the estimated value of the lowest temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold value.

A controller is configured to control a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission. The controller is configured to execute a shifting process that switches a gear ratio of the automatic transmission and a lean operation process that operates the internal combustion engine with an air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder leaner than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The controller is further configured to, when executing the shifting process during execution of the lean operation process, set an air-fuel ratio in a case in which the shifting process is being executed to a value closer to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio than an air-fuel ratio in a case in which the shifting process is not being executed.

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle executes an intake gas flow rate adjusting process, a motor-driven actuation process, a fuel vapor adjusting process, and a starting process. The intake gas flow rate adjusting process includes adjusting an opening degree of a throttle valve to an open state. The motor-driven actuation process includes controlling a motor-generator to perform motor-driven actuation of the internal combustion engine. The fuel vapor adjusting process includes adjusting an opening degree of a fuel vapor adjusting valve during the motor-driven actuation process, thereby allowing fuel vapor to flow through a fuel vapor passage. The starting process includes starting the internal combustion engine by controlling an ignition device to perform ignition during the motor-driven actuation process.

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle executes an intake gas flow rate adjusting process, a motor-driven actuation process, a fuel vapor adjusting process, and a starting process. The intake gas flow rate adjusting process includes adjusting an opening degree of a throttle valve to an open state. The motor-driven actuation process includes controlling a motor-generator to perform motor-driven actuation of the internal combustion engine. The fuel vapor adjusting process includes adjusting an opening degree of a fuel vapor adjusting valve during the motor-driven actuation process, thereby allowing fuel vapor to flow through a fuel vapor passage. The starting process includes starting the internal combustion engine by controlling an ignition device to perform ignition during the motor-driven actuation process.

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, thresholds for allowing or inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be adjusted in response to an automatic engine cranking time. Additionally, automatic engine stopping may be inhibited during some conditions.