Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine oil dilution in automotive vehicles. The method comprises heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas heat recovery device and circulating the heated coolant via a first coolant loop between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and a heat exchanger; and heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and circulating the heated coolant via a second coolant loop between the exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the heat exchanger, wherein the heated coolant from both the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler mix at the heat exchanger and allows heating of an engine oil via the heat exchanger. In one example, the method prevents excessive accumulation of water and/or fuel in the engine oil.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine oil dilution in automotive vehicles. The method comprises heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas heat recovery device and circulating the heated coolant via a first coolant loop between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and a heat exchanger; and heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and circulating the heated coolant via a second coolant loop between the exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the heat exchanger, wherein the heated coolant from both the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler mix at the heat exchanger and allows heating of an engine oil via the heat exchanger. In one example, the method prevents excessive accumulation of water and/or fuel in the engine oil.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine oil dilution in automotive vehicles. The method comprises heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas heat recovery device and circulating the heated coolant via a first coolant loop between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and a heat exchanger; and heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and circulating the heated coolant via a second coolant loop between the exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the heat exchanger, wherein the heated coolant from both the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler mix at the heat exchanger and allows heating of an engine oil via the heat exchanger. In one example, the method prevents excessive accumulation of water and/or fuel in the engine oil.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine oil dilution in automotive vehicles. The method comprises heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas heat recovery device and circulating the heated coolant via a first coolant loop between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and a heat exchanger; and heating coolant by operating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and circulating the heated coolant via a second coolant loop between the exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the heat exchanger, wherein the heated coolant from both the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler mix at the heat exchanger and allows heating of an engine oil via the heat exchanger. In one example, the method prevents excessive accumulation of water and/or fuel in the engine oil.

A method for operating a motor vehicle provided with a hybrid drive apparatus. The hybrid drive device is equipped with an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, as well as with an electric engine, and a lubricant is supplied at least intermittently to the internal combustion engine. At the same time, a lubricant dilution value is determined with a dilution of the lubricant so that the internal combustion engine is started when a first threshold value is exceeded by the lubricant dilution value, and when the motor vehicle is located on a regeneration route of an anticipated driving route of the motor vehicle and the regeneration route is sufficient to reduce the lubricant dilution value by a specified value.

A method for operating a motor vehicle provided with a hybrid drive apparatus. The hybrid drive device is equipped with an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, as well as with an electric engine, and a lubricant is supplied at least intermittently to the internal combustion engine. At the same time, a lubricant dilution value is determined with a dilution of the lubricant so that the internal combustion engine is started when a first threshold value is exceeded by the lubricant dilution value, and when the motor vehicle is located on a regeneration route of an anticipated driving route of the motor vehicle and the regeneration route is sufficient to reduce the lubricant dilution value by a specified value.

A control device for an engine includes an electronic control unit configured to estimate a water content mixed in engine oil based on a history of a fuel injection amount during an operation of the engine and restrain freezing of water such that, when the water content thus estimated is a predetermined amount or more, the electronic control unit increases a mixing amount of the fuel into the engine oil as compared with a case where the water content thus estimated is less than the predetermined amount. The control device estimates the water content mixed in the engine oil as a function of an integrated value of water content while an oil temperature of the engine is less than a predetermined temperature.

A control device for an engine includes an electronic control unit configured to estimate a water content mixed in engine oil based on a history of a fuel injection amount during an operation of the engine and restrain freezing of water such that, when the water content thus estimated is a predetermined amount or more, the electronic control unit increases a mixing amount of the fuel into the engine oil as compared with a case where the water content thus estimated is less than the predetermined amount. The control device estimates the water content mixed in the engine oil as a function of an integrated value of water content while an oil temperature of the engine is less than a predetermined temperature.

A method for operating a motor vehicle provided with a hybrid drive apparatus. The hybrid drive device is equipped with an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, as well as with an electric engine, and a lubricant is supplied at least intermittently to the internal combustion engine. At the same time, a lubricant dilution value is determined with a dilution of the lubricant so that the internal combustion engine is started when a first threshold value is exceeded by the lubricant dilution value, and when the motor vehicle is located on a regeneration route of an anticipated driving route of the motor vehicle and the regeneration route is sufficient to reduce the lubricant dilution value by a specified value.

A method for operating a motor vehicle provided with a hybrid drive apparatus. The hybrid drive device is equipped with an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, as well as with an electric engine, and a lubricant is supplied at least intermittently to the internal combustion engine. At the same time, a lubricant dilution value is determined with a dilution of the lubricant so that the internal combustion engine is started when a first threshold value is exceeded by the lubricant dilution value, and when the motor vehicle is located on a regeneration route of an anticipated driving route of the motor vehicle and the regeneration route is sufficient to reduce the lubricant dilution value by a specified value.