Patent ID: 7823471

Claim:
A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle, said powertrain including an engine, a transmission, and an electric motor/generator, such that the engine and the electric motor/generator are operatively connected to the transmission via a driveline, said method comprising: monitoring vehicle speed; monitoring vehicle deceleration rate; initiating a first routine configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate; initiating a second routine if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range, said second routine including pre-loading the driveline by running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is in the process of being stopped for a predetermined amount of time after the hybrid vehicle has reached a predetermined speed to control driveline lash, and disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start are thereby minimized; providing a torque converter disposed between the engine and the transmission, said torque converter including a torque converter clutch that is actuatable to lock-up the torque converter such that energy is transferable therethrough with minimal loss; and wherein said initiating a first routine includes transferring fuel to the engine at a first predetermined time and releasing the torque converter clutch, thereby interrupting the transfer of a torque spike from the engine to the transmission during the subsequent engine re-start.