In a hybrid vehicle control system, when a first traveling mode using torque of an electric motor is switched to a second traveling mode using torque of an engine, a controller performs an engine start control by applying an engagement pressure to a first clutch and by cranking the engine by the electric motor, so as to start the engine. Specifically, the controller obtains a predicted start time and an actual start time by the engine start control, and corrects the engagement pressure so as to decrease the engagement pressure applied to the first clutch at a subsequent time of starting the engine, when the actual start time is shorter than the predicted start time.

Systems and methods for stopping an engine of a vehicle are described. In one example, the method anticipates when an engine is expected to stop and modifies engine operation so that less fuel is in the engine's intake ports when the engine is stopped so that the fuel may not escape the engine when the engine is restarted.

A vehicle determines a first resistance of a starter motor and a starter cable connected thereto based at least in part on the first voltage of a power source. The vehicle determines a predicted minimum battery voltage based at least in part on the first resistance of the starter motor and the starter cable. The vehicle, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage satisfying a threshold, enables a vehicle stop-start function, and, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage failing to satisfy the threshold, disables the vehicle stop-start function.

Methods and systems for improving fuel economy and reducing emissions of a vehicle with an electric motor, an engine, an energy storage device, and a controller are disclosed. The method includes obtaining current state information including a current hybrid control surface, and determining a target hybrid control surface for the vehicle based on the current state information.

Systems and methods for starting an engine that may be started via an electric machine and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. In one example, the method estimates a maximum motor propulsive torque during engine starting. The maximum motor propulsive torque may be based on an estimated speed that a torque converter impeller speed will be when an engine cranking period ends.

A control method for a self-driving vehicle provided with an engine as a driving source, comprising: determining whether or not coast stop is executed in accordance with required driving force of the vehicle, the coast stop being for automatically stopping the engine during the vehicle traveling at speed not more than predetermined vehicle speed; setting the required driving force so that an intervehicular distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle becomes closer to a predetermined distance under presence of the preceding vehicle in front of the host vehicle; predicting a behavior of the preceding vehicle from a situation in front of the preceding vehicle under presence of the preceding vehicle; and prohibiting release of the coast stop for the engine during an automatic stop when future deceleration of the preceding vehicle is predicted in response to an expansion of the intervehicular distance.

Devices and systems for determining an alternator condition in a motor vehicle are provided. The method includes performing a plurality of micro wakeups to capture voltage values during a cranking event, determining the maximum cranking voltage and its timestamp, detecting an ignition signal, determining the maximum device voltage and its timestamp, and determining a potential alternator undercharging condition if a duration between the maximum cranking voltage timestamp and the maximum device voltage timestamp is greater than an undercharging indicator duration threshold. Advantageously, an alternator may be repaired or replaced before it fails thus averting having the motor vehicles inoperable.

A method for controlling a lower limit of a state of charge of a power battery and a vehicle is provided. The method provided by the present disclosure includes: detecting a minimum ambient temperature for at least a period of time; predicting a minimum ambient temperature within a preset period of time after the at least a period of time according to the minimum ambient temperature within the at least a period of time; determining, according to the minimum ambient temperature within the preset period of time, a minimum state of charge value that able to meet power requirements for starting an engine of a vehicle under the minimum ambient temperature within the preset period of time; and adjusting a lower limit of the state of charge according to the minimum state of charge value.

Methods and systems are provided for selectively inhibiting a stop-start controller of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle on a road segment that includes one or more road attributes associated with increased levels of anxiety. In one example, selectively inhibiting a stop-start controller of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle includes determining a driver classification for a driver operating the vehicle; predicting an anxiety level of the driver at an upcoming traffic condition, based on the driver classification; and selectively inhibiting an upcoming engine idle-stop event based on the predicted anxiety level of the driver.

An engine start control device is provided with: a starter relay that is provided between a battery and a starter motor; a start abnormality determining means that determines the occurrence of start abnormality of an engine; and a start control means, which turns on the starter relay, and starts supplying power from the battery to the starter motor in the cases where a start instruction signal is inputted from a start switch, and which turns off the starter relay in the cases where the start abnormality determining means determined the occurrence of start abnormality of the engine.