In a drive control device, a controller automatically stops an engine if an execution condition of an idling stop is satisfied, and an electric oil pump is driven during an automatic stop of the engine. A first friction engaging element establishes a starting gear position and a second friction engaging element is released when a vehicle starts. A second solenoid drains oil to be supplied to the second friction engaging element according to an indicator current. A drain degree becomes smaller by reducing the indicator current. The controller reduces the indicator current below a minimum value during the automatic stop of the engine.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operation may be adjusted in response to operating the hybrid vehicle in a four wheel drivel low gear range. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.

A method controls the startup of a heat engine of a hybrid power train of a vehicle. The power train includes the heat engine and an electric drive machine, two concentric main shafts coupled one to the heat engine and one to the electric machine, at least one step-down gear of each of the main shafts on a secondary shaft connected to wheels of the vehicle, and a coupling of the two main shafts. The method includes coupling the two main shafts, inhibiting fuel injection of the heat engine, launching the heat engine by the electric machine, synchronizing a speed of the heat engine and a speed of the electric machine without fuel injection, activating the fuel injection and turning off the electric machine and decoupling the two main shafts.

Systems and methods for reducing perception of transitions from shifting a transmission from neutral to drive are described. In one example, the transmission is shifted from neutral to drive in response to brake pedal motion before the brake pedal is fully released so that timing of pressurizing clutches and engaging a forward gear is advanced to occur while the brake pedal is still applied.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for secure idle for a vehicle generator. An example vehicle includes an outlet external to the vehicle, a power inverter dedicated to supplying AC power to the outlet, and a powertrain control module. The powertrain control module controls the power inverter to supply first power level when a switch is in a first position and a second power level when the switch is in a second position. Additionally, the powertrain control module, after entering a secure mode, controls an engine to remain idling when an ignition switch is off.

A controller is a control device for a vehicle including an engine, an automatic transmission, and an oil pump and executes a sailing stop control that stops the engine and brings the automatic transmission into a neutral state when a sailing stop condition is satisfied. The controller cancels the sailing stop control to start the engine when a road inclination becomes larger than a predetermined value during the sailing stop control.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A method and system for improved driver reward display functionality. A driver reward is calculated based on inputs, such as freight fuel, fuel economy, and % idle. The driver reward system configures and displays a primary driver reward image for various menu selections. The primary driver reward image is configured to indicate whether the driver reward is at full penalty, partial penalty, neutral, partial bonus, or full bonus. The image is displayed in one color if above an expected value and another color if below the expected level. Images that indicate to the operator of the vehicle the impact of each input on the overall driver reward or whether each input is improving or worsening may be displayed. A secondary driver reward image may also be displayed to indicate a specific bonus or penalty in miles per hour and speed limit.

A vehicle drive system includes an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an engine rotation speed detector, an output shaft rotation speed detector, and a processor. The internal combustion engine includes cylinders and a crankshaft. The clutch is connected to the crankshaft via a torsion element and includes an output shaft. The engine rotation speed detector detects a crankshaft rotation speed. The output shaft rotation speed detector detects an output shaft rotation speed. The processor is configured to calculate a torque generated in each of the cylinders based on the crankshaft rotation speed. The processor is configured to decrease transmission torque of the clutch so that a difference between the crankshaft rotation speed and the output shaft rotation speed to be a target value when misfiring occurs. The processor is configured to identify a misfiring cylinder among the cylinders based on the torque calculated while the transmission torque is decreased.

A method controls the startup of a heat engine of a hybrid power train of a vehicle. The power train includes the heat engine and an electric drive machine, two concentric main shafts coupled one to the heat engine and one to the electric machine, at least one step-down gear of each of the main shafts on a secondary shaft connected to wheels of the vehicle, and a coupling of the two main shafts. The method includes coupling the two main shafts, inhibiting fuel injection of the heat engine, launching the heat engine by the electric machine, synchronizing a speed of the heat engine and a speed of the electric machine without fuel injection, activating the fuel injection and turning off the electric machine and decoupling the two main shafts.