Patent ID: 7909732
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: B60W,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling operational characteristics of a drivetrain of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing the drivetrain with an engine, the engine being controlled by a positionable throttle and a settable ignition timing advance; providing the drivetrain with a transmission coupled to the engine, the transmission having a plurality of gear settings; monitoring an actuation status of a positionable, operator-controlled brake pedal; monitoring an actuation status of a positionable, operator-controlled accelerator pedal; monitoring an engagement status of a stability control system; while both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are simultaneously actuated and the stability control system is not engaged, setting the throttle to a predetermined first position, setting the ignition timing to a predetermined advance corresponding to the first throttle position, and selecting a first gear setting of the transmission; and while both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are simultaneously actuated and the stability control system is engaged, setting the throttle to a predetermined second position, setting the ignition timing to a predetermined advance corresponding to the second throttle position, and selecting a second gear setting of the transmission.