SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE FUEL ECONOMY OF A VEHICLE COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

A system and method using a frontal distance sensor for detecting an obstacle in front of a vehicle determines the distance between the front of the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle and calculates the relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle. If the relative speed is below a value representing a safety risk and the vehicle is decelerating, it is determined that the combustion engine torque is not required because the vehicle will likely continue to decelerate, and the combustion engine is turned off, even before the vehicle has come to a complete stop.