Some vehicles can identify and adapt to a driver’s individual style and to environmental conditions.
Electronic shift programs are expanded to include these extra functions.
Identifying driving style means characteristic accelerator pedal movements are used to decide how the driver prefers the transmission to shift.
Four functions can be derived from these patterns. Accelerator pedal movement can be evaluated when moving the vehicle away from rest. And during regular driving. The length and frequency of kick-down periods can be evaluated. And the speed of accelerator pedal movement, or "kick-fast".
This data, from a throttle position sensor, together with vehicle road speed, can identify driving style.
One of four shift programs can then be initiated.
Shift program 1 caters for exceptional journey comfort and low fuel consumption.
Program 2 for normal comfort and low fuel consumption.
Program 3 is for sporting drivers, and Program 4 caters for exceptionally keen, sporting drivers.
Programs 1 and 2 cover the largest percentage of driving styles.
Since driver responses can vary considerably within a short time, depending on traffic and road conditions, response patterns are analyzed continuously.
If a driver's requirements change suddenly after a stop, the driving style identification circuits within the control unit must respond quickly.
