VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD

摘要

In the present invention, a first determination unit determines whether or not the conditions are met for execution of automatic stopping control of a vehicle engine. If it is determined that the conditions are met for execution of stopping control, a stopping control unit permits engine stopping. A second determination unit determines whether or not slipping down of the vehicle will occur after stopping during sloped-road driving by a vehicle with the engine in a stopped state. If it is determined that slipping down will occur, a restarting control unit permits initiation of engine restarting so that engine restarting finishes before the slip-down distance of the vehicle exceeds a permissible distance. Before engine stopping, a third determination unit predicts the amount of fuel savings that it is possible to save in the period of engine stoppage from engine stopping to restarting, and determines whether or not the amount of fuel savings is at least a set value set in accordance with the amount of fuel consumption required for engine restarting. If it is determined that the amount of fuel savings is less than the set value, the stopping control unit does not permit engine stopping even if the conditions for execution of stopping control are met.