A cruise control method for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a preceding vehicle and estimating the speed of the preceding vehicle from the information input from a preceding vehicle detecting unit in the on state of a cruise mode and a PnG mode. An upper limit target vehicle speed and a lower limit target vehicle speed are determined from the estimated speed of the preceding vehicle. The driving source of the vehicle is operated to alternately repeat the acceleration (pulse phase) and deceleration (glide phase) of the vehicle between the determined upper limit target vehicle speed and lower limit target vehicle speed.

A cruise control method for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a preceding vehicle and estimating the speed of the preceding vehicle from the information input from a preceding vehicle detecting unit in the on state of a cruise mode and a PnG mode. An upper limit target vehicle speed and a lower limit target vehicle speed are determined from the estimated speed of the preceding vehicle. The driving source of the vehicle is operated to alternately repeat the acceleration (pulse phase) and deceleration (glide phase) of the vehicle between the determined upper limit target vehicle speed and lower limit target vehicle speed.

A controller for a hybrid vehicle performs charging control when a shift range of the hybrid vehicle is a first range, and does not perform the charging control when the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is a second range, the charging control being control of charging a power storage device with electric power generated by a generator driven by an engine. The controller records diagnosis information when an SOC of the power storage device is equal to or lower than a first threshold value and the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is the first range, and does not record the diagnosis information when the SOC of the power storage device is equal to or lower than the first threshold value and the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is the second range.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a planetary gear mechanism, first and second wheels, an engine, a motor generator, a wheel drive clutch, and a control system. The planetary gear mechanism includes first, second, and third rotation elements. The first wheel is coupled to the first rotation element via a first path. The second wheel is coupled to the second rotation element via a second path. The engine is coupled to the third rotation element via a third path. The motor generator is provided on the first path. The wheel drive clutch is provided on the first path and between the motor generator and the first wheel. The control system controls the motor generator and the wheel drive clutch. The control system executes a motor stop mode in which the wheel drive clutch is brought into a released state and the motor generator is brought into a rotation stop state.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a planetary gear mechanism, first and second wheels, an engine, a motor generator, a wheel drive clutch, and a control system. The planetary gear mechanism includes first, second, and third rotation elements. The first wheel is coupled to the first rotation element via a first path. The second wheel is coupled to the second rotation element via a second path. The engine is coupled to the third rotation element via a third path. The motor generator is provided on the first path. The wheel drive clutch is provided on the first path and between the motor generator and the first wheel. The control system controls the motor generator and the wheel drive clutch. The control system executes a motor stop mode in which the wheel drive clutch is brought into a released state and the motor generator is brought into a rotation stop state.

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus including a torque converter temperature detector detecting a torque converter temperature, a rotor temperature detector detecting a rotor temperature, a stator temperature detector detecting a stator temperature, and an electronic control unit including a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform controlling an engine, a transmission, a lockup clutch, a motor-generator and a stator cooling device based on the torque converter temperature detected by the torque converter temperature detector, the rotor temperature detected by the rotor temperature detector and the stator temperature detected by the stator temperature detector so that the torque converter temperature is equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature, the rotor temperature is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature and the stator temperature is equal to or lower than a third predetermined temperature.

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus including a torque converter temperature detector detecting a torque converter temperature, a rotor temperature detector detecting a rotor temperature, a stator temperature detector detecting a stator temperature, and an electronic control unit including a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform controlling an engine, a transmission, a lockup clutch, a motor-generator and a stator cooling device based on the torque converter temperature detected by the torque converter temperature detector, the rotor temperature detected by the rotor temperature detector and the stator temperature detected by the stator temperature detector so that the torque converter temperature is equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature, the rotor temperature is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature and the stator temperature is equal to or lower than a third predetermined temperature.

A drive control device of a hybrid vehicle provided with a motor and an engine is provided. The control device includes a processor configured to execute a target fuel consumption setting module that sets a target fuel consumption according to the number of lapsed days from a given reference timing, an actual fuel consumption calculating module that calculates an actual fuel consumption actually consumed during a specific period from the reference timing, a forcible consumption calculating module that compares the actual fuel consumption with the target fuel consumption, and when the actual fuel consumption is less than the target fuel consumption, calculates a forcible consumption of fuel according to a difference therebetween, and a traveling controlling module that controls the drive of the motor and the engine so that traveling at least with the engine is continuously performed until the fuel is consumed by the forcible consumption.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to start the engine with the electric machine, command a target pressure to the disconnect clutch that depends on a seal friction derived from a measured line pressure of the disconnect clutch and a rate change of the measured line pressure.

A driving force control system for a hybrid vehicle for reducing a required time to launch the hybrid vehicle after selecting a reverse range while maintaining a driving force. The control system is configured to change an engine start threshold to restrict a startup of the engine upon satisfaction of a restricting condition, in which a low mode is established by a transmission mechanism, and a reverse drive range is selected.