Patent ID: 8880276

Claim:
A powertrain control module that determines engine oil properties based on friction in an engine, comprising: an engine combustion module that models engine torque based on a signal indicative of engine speed from an engine speed sensor and a signal indicative of engine pumping losses due to intake and exhaust gasses from at least one pressure sensor, a transmission module that models transmission torque applied to the engine based on a signal indicative of transmission speed from a transmission speed sensor and a signal indicative of a current gear, from a gear sensor, an accessory loads module that models torque applied to the engine by accessory loads based on received signals from at least one accessory sensor indicative of the operation of at least one of a power steering pump, an air conditioning compressor, a water pump, and an alternator; and an oil viscosity module that determines engine oil viscosity based on a signal indicative of friction torque and predetermined engine data that coincides with reference oils and wherein the friction torque is based on the model of engine torque, the model of transmission torque, and the model of accessory loads torque, wherein the determined oil viscosity is utilized to modify operation of at least one engine operating characteristic.