Patent ID: 8775050

Claim:
A method of operating a hybrid vehicle, the method comprising: Sensing a position of an accelerator pedal of the hybrid vehicle to determine if the accelerator pedal is disposed in a released position or in a depressed position; Sensing a position of a brake pedal of the hybrid vehicle to determine if the brake pedal is disposed in a released position or in a depressed position; Scanning a forward path of the hybrid vehicle to determine if the forward path is clear or is blocked; Disengaging, by a controller, an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle when the accelerator pedal is disposed in the released position, the brake pedal is disposed in the released position, and the forward path of the hybrid vehicle is blocked; Sensing if a left turn of the hybrid vehicle is currently being indicated Engaging, by the controller, the internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle when the accelerator pedal is disposed in the released position, the brake pedal is disposed in the depressed position, the forward path of the hybrid vehicle is clear, and a left turn of the hybrid vehicle is indicated.