A control method and a control apparatus are provided. A main control circuit board in a controller receives an initial control command via a CAN bus from an ECU after being powered on, controls a fault detection circuit board to detect initial states of the controller and all devices connected to the controller based on the initial control command to obtain initial state information, transmits the initial state information to the ECU via the CAN bus, receives a first target control command via the CAN bus from the ECU, and controls a conduction control circuit board to turn on at least one MOS in a MOS array based on the first target control command to output a control signal to a heater connected to the controller to control the heater to operate, thereby realizing a closed-loop control on the heater and adjusting a power of the heater at any time.

A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine and a first electric machine each configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. A controller is programmed to execute a first control algorithm while output speed of the second electric machine is less than a first speed threshold. The controller is also programmed to execute a second control algorithm while output speed of the second electric machine is greater than the first speed threshold and less than a second speed threshold.

Systems and methods for determining whether to use engine start-stop systems during trail or other off-road driving are provided. Systems and methods may utilize various vehicle sensors (e.g., lidar, forward-facing cameras, accelerometers, sonar sensors, etc.) to detect when it is appropriate to command engine stop for fuel economy while driving off-road. To determine appropriateness, the vehicle may evaluate obstacles, ground clearance, and/or vehicle inclination. A method may include measuring accelerations/inclinations of a vehicle, comparing an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disabling a start-stop system of the vehicle based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold. A system may include an accelerometer configured to measure accelerations of a vehicle, and a logic device configured to compare an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disable a start-stop system based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold.

A switch is interposed between an ignition antenna associated with a vehicle ignition switch and an auxiliary antenna located spaced from the ignition switch. A reader is selectively connected through the switch to either the ignition antenna or to the auxiliary antenna, the reader configured to determine if an authorized key is present adjacent to an antenna. An authorized key is kept adjacent to the auxiliary antenna. The vehicle ignition switch can be operated either with an authorized key brought adjacent to the ignition switch and adjacent to the ignition antenna or by adjusting the switch to connect the reader to the auxiliary antenna to read the authorized key kept adjacent thereto. A controller can cause this switch to adjust from connecting the reader to the ignition antenna to connecting the reader to the auxiliary antenna, so that the controller can automatically cause vehicle ignition operation when desired.

An auto-stop start system for a vehicle. The auto-stop start system has a control unit with an auto-stop start function controlling stop and start of an engine of the vehicle, and a control device by which control device the auto-stop start function can be temporarily deactivated by an operator of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to reactivate the auto-stop start function after a predetermined duration of a temporary deactivation. The predetermined duration of the temporary deactivation of the auto-stop start function is selectable by means of the control device.

An auto-stop start system for a vehicle. The auto-stop start system has a control unit with an auto-stop start function controlling stop and start of an engine of the vehicle, and a control device by which control device the auto-stop start function can be temporarily deactivated by an operator of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to reactivate the auto-stop start function after a predetermined duration of a temporary deactivation. The predetermined duration of the temporary deactivation of the auto-stop start function is selectable by means of the control device.

A vehicle includes a controller programmed to activate a fuel savings feature upon satisfaction of transition conditions and inhibit the transition according to satisfaction of inhibit conditions. The controller is further programmed to accumulate data indicative of the inhibit conditions and a time associated with the conditions being satisfied over a drive cycle.

A vehicle includes a controller programmed to activate a fuel savings feature upon satisfaction of transition conditions and inhibit the transition according to satisfaction of inhibit conditions. The controller is further programmed to accumulate data indicative of the inhibit conditions and a time associated with the conditions being satisfied over a drive cycle.

Systems and methods for determining whether to use engine start-stop systems during trail or other off-road driving are provided. Systems and methods may utilize various vehicle sensors (e.g., lidar, forward-facing cameras, accelerometers, sonar sensors, etc.) to detect when it is appropriate to command engine stop for fuel economy while driving off-road. To determine appropriateness, the vehicle may evaluate obstacles, ground clearance, and/or vehicle inclination. A method may include measuring accelerations/inclinations of a vehicle, comparing an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disabling a start-stop system of the vehicle based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold. A system may include an accelerometer configured to measure accelerations of a vehicle, and a logic device configured to compare an acceleration value of each acceleration to an acceleration threshold, and disable a start-stop system based on at least one acceleration value exceeding the acceleration threshold.

A computer implemented method includes logging vehicle startup information. The method also includes determining, via a computer, if timing commonalities exist between logged vehicle startup information instances. Further, the method includes recommending automatic vehicle startup, based on a threshold number of timing commonalities. The method also includes formulating recommended start times based on logged vehicle startup information instances having timing commonalities. The method additionally includes presenting a schedule including recommended start times to a vehicle user and scheduling automatic vehicle startups upon vehicle user acceptance of the presented schedule.