Patent ID: 8886437

Claim:
A method for controlling a motor vehicle, the method comprising: receiving operating information, the operating information including fuel cut information, cruise control information, vehicle speed information and roadway slope information; determining that the motor vehicle is operating in a fuel cut mode, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a plurality of fuel injectors and a plurality of cylinders and the fuel cut mode comprises commanding the plurality of fuel injectors to cut off fuel to the plurality of cylinders; determining that the motor vehicle is traveling on a downwardly sloped roadway; determining that the motor vehicle is operating in a cruise control mode; determining a current vehicle speed; retrieving a target vehicle speed; maintaining the motor vehicle in the fuel cut mode and increasing a throttle angle opening when the current vehicle speed is less than the target vehicle speed to reduce engine braking and increase the current vehicle speed; and determining if the current vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the target vehicle speed and resuming normal throttle operation upon a determination that the current vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the target vehicle speed.