A method for controlling a vehicle device (10) configured to cool of a vehicle unit (20) includes reading in temperature information which is functionally related to an operation of the vehicle unit (20) and determining a temperature gradient. The method also includes checking whether the information read in exceeds a threshold value for the information read in, checking whether the temperature gradient determined exceeds a threshold value, and emitting a signal for the control of the vehicle device (10) as a function of check results of the checking steps, in order to bring about the cooling of the vehicle unit (20) by the vehicle device (10). In addition, a control unit (100) for carrying out the method and a vehicle (200) with a control unit (100) of that type.

A method for controlling a vehicle device (10) configured to cool of a vehicle unit (20) includes reading in temperature information which is functionally related to an operation of the vehicle unit (20) and determining a temperature gradient. The method also includes checking whether the information read in exceeds a threshold value for the information read in, checking whether the temperature gradient determined exceeds a threshold value, and emitting a signal for the control of the vehicle device (10) as a function of check results of the checking steps, in order to bring about the cooling of the vehicle unit (20) by the vehicle device (10). In addition, a control unit (100) for carrying out the method and a vehicle (200) with a control unit (100) of that type.

Models that employ both measurable engine parameters as well as predictable engine parameters may be used to determine when a thermostat is malfunctioning before the thermostat malfunction results in an engine breakdown. Particular models may be used to provide an estimated coolant temperature and an estimated thermostat position. The estimated coolant temperature can be compared to an actual measured engine coolant temperature. The estimated thermostat position can be evaluated with respect to what the thermostat position should be given a particular engine coolant temperature. In some cases, comparison between a healthy model and a faulty model may be used to ascertain thermostat health.

Models that employ both measurable engine parameters as well as predictable engine parameters may be used to determine when a thermostat is malfunctioning before the thermostat malfunction results in an engine breakdown. Particular models may be used to provide an estimated coolant temperature and an estimated thermostat position. The estimated coolant temperature can be compared to an actual measured engine coolant temperature. The estimated thermostat position can be evaluated with respect to what the thermostat position should be given a particular engine coolant temperature. In some cases, comparison between a healthy model and a faulty model may be used to ascertain thermostat health.

Models that employ both measurable engine parameters as well as predictable engine parameters may be used to determine when a thermostat is malfunctioning before the thermostat malfunction results in an engine breakdown. Particular models may be used to provide an estimated coolant temperature and an estimated thermostat position. The estimated coolant temperature can be compared to an actual measured engine coolant temperature. The estimated thermostat position can be evaluated with respect to what the thermostat position should be given a particular engine coolant temperature. In some cases, comparison between a healthy model and a faulty model may be used to ascertain thermostat health.

Models that employ both measurable engine parameters as well as predictable engine parameters may be used to determine when a thermostat is malfunctioning before the thermostat malfunction results in an engine breakdown. Particular models may be used to provide an estimated coolant temperature and an estimated thermostat position. The estimated coolant temperature can be compared to an actual measured engine coolant temperature. The estimated thermostat position can be evaluated with respect to what the thermostat position should be given a particular engine coolant temperature. In some cases, comparison between a healthy model and a faulty model may be used to ascertain thermostat health.

Methods and systems are provided for a coolant system. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a condition of a pump of the coolant system based on a temperature change of coolant. The diagnostic may determine if the pump is stuck on or off.

The cooling capacity of a cooling fan is made lower when a vehicle was not running while towing a trailer than when the vehicle was running while towing the trailer immediately before the end of a service of the vehicle, in activating the cooling fan after the end of the service.

An engine cooling system is provided, which includes a water jacket through which coolant flows, a heat exchanger that cools the coolant, a first bypass passage that bypasses the heat exchanger and recirculates the coolant to the water jacket, a radiator passage that recirculates the coolant to the water jacket via the heat exchanger, and a flow control device that is installed at a location where a coolant passage branches into the first bypass passage and the radiator passage and performs a water flow control to adjust a coolant amount flowing into the water jacket by adjusting a coolant amount flowing through the first bypass passage. A thermally-actuated valve connected with the radiator passage via a second bypass passage is provided to the first bypass passage, and when this valve opens, the coolant flowing through the first bypass passage flows into the radiator passage through the second bypass passage.

An engine cooling system is provided, which includes a water jacket through which coolant flows, a heat exchanger that cools the coolant, a first bypass passage that bypasses the heat exchanger and recirculates the coolant to the water jacket, a radiator passage that recirculates the coolant to the water jacket via the heat exchanger, and a flow control device that is installed at a location where a coolant passage branches into the first bypass passage and the radiator passage and performs a water flow control to adjust a coolant amount flowing into the water jacket by adjusting a coolant amount flowing through the first bypass passage. A thermally-actuated valve connected with the radiator passage via a second bypass passage is provided to the first bypass passage, and when this valve opens, the coolant flowing through the first bypass passage flows into the radiator passage through the second bypass passage.