Motor vehicle controller and method of controlling a motor vehicle

摘要

The invention relates to a motor vehicle controller operable automatically to stop and subsequently to restart an engine (121 see fig 1) of a vehicle according to a prescribed control methodology. The controller is operable automatically to adjust an engine stop delay parameter in dependence on the value of at least one vehicle endurance parameter N. The engine stop delay parameter corresponds to a period for which the engine (121) remains switched on when it is determined that a condition exists allowing the engine (121) to be switched off during the course of a drive cycle. The value of the endurance parameter N is responsive to stop/start operations being performed during the course of a drive cycle. The invention is applicable to a vehicle having an engine (121) and various controllers (121C, 170, 124C, 185C see fig 1) including an engine controller (121C) and is also applicable to a hybrid vehicle having a crankshaft integrated motor generator (223 see fig 3). The adjustment of the engine stop delay parameter is to prevent the value of the endurance parameter N exceeding a prescribed maximum endurance value before a prescribed time period elapses.