Patent ID: 8192328
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: B60W,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a vehicle power-train including wheels, an engine and a transmission, comprising: selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from an operator; before the engine is stopped and while positive drive torque is still transmitted through the transmission, grounding the transmission to the vehicle; maintaining the transmission grounded until restarting the engine; wherein grounding the transmission includes adjusting a clutch pressure to engage a transmission clutch, and locking the engaged transmission clutch to a frame of the vehicle; wherein a timing, with respect to engine speed, of the transmission grounding is adjusted to maintain an amount of torsional potential energy within a gear-train of the transmission; and wherein the amount of torsional potential energy is adjusted based on ambient temperature, the adjustment including increasing the amount of torsional potential energy within the gear-train as ambient temperature falls below a threshold.