Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Patrick J Westphal

David C Poirier

Howard Hans Ludwig

Douglas C Campbell

Fred G Wood

Robert Charles Simon, Jr

Peter M Medich

Robert C Cameron

A vehicle suspension comprises dampers changeable between low and high damping modes and normally operated in the low damping mode. A damper control stores a plurality of sets of reference numbers as a function of vehicle velocity, the reference numbers of each set representing limit values of throttle velocity for the low damping mode for a given transmission gear mode. The reference numbers of each set increase in value with increasing vehicle velocity in a continuously non-linear manner so as to compensate for the decreasing acceleration and body lift produced by a given throttle velocity as vehicle velocity increases. The control changes the damper from low to high damping during vehicle acceleration for a predetermined time when the throttle velocity exceeds a throttle velocity limit reference derived from the reference number corresponding to the vehicle velocity in the set corresponding to the selected transmission gear mode. The control further changes the dampers from low to high damping for a predetermined time when vehicle deceleration exceeds a reference, when a transmission shift occurs or when engine torque first exceeds a reference.

Selectable damping vehicle suspension control responsive to engine torque

Selectable damping vehicle suspension control

A vehicle suspension comprises dampers changeable between low and high damping modes and normally operated in the low damping mode. A damper control stores a plurality of sets of reference numbers as a function of vehicle velocity, the reference numbers of each set representing limit values of throttle velocity for the low damping mode for a given transmission gear mode. The reference numbers of each set increase in value with increasing vehicle velocity in a continuously non-linear manner so as to compensate for the decreasing acceleration and body lift produced by a given throttle velocity as vehicle velocity increases. The control changes the damper from low to high damping during vehicle acceleration for a predetermined time when the throtle velocity exceeds a throttle velocity limit reference derived from the reference number corresponding to the vehicle velocity in the set corresponding to the selected transmission gear mode. The control further changes the dampers from low to high damping for a predetermined time when vehicle deceleration exceeds a reference, when a transmission shift occurs or when engine torque first exceeds a reference.

Selectable damping vehicle suspension control responsive to transmission

The fuel control routine of an engine control module sets a cold enrichment schedule used for engine starting when the engine is cold. The enrichment value is dependent on coolant temperature. To prevent plug fouling in a new vehicle subject to short engine run times, the enrichment value is reduced if the mileage is below 50 miles, the coolant temperature is within set limits and the previous engine run time was shorter than a set period.

Method of preventing spark plug fouling

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Patrick J Westphal