An apparatus and method for altering the drivability of a vehicle so as to alert a driver of the vehicle of a potentially hazardous condition. The vehicle has at least one sensor configured to detect the potentially hazardous potential. Additionally, the vehicle has a control system for directing a transmission of the vehicle to perform a transmission operation that catches the driver's attention by generating an acceleration or deceleration. The transmission operation is preferably an upshift, a downshift, an unlocking of a torque converter lockup clutch or a locking of the lockup clutch. In one embodiment, the control system directs the transmission to perform more than one transmission operation, the transmission operations defining a transmission operation cycle. In a preferred embodiment, more than one transmission operation cycle is performed. Potentially hazardous conditions include traffic in front of the vehicle, a second vehicle approaching from the rear, an upcoming curve in the road, an approaching speed limit or an upcoming banked portion of the road.
Method and System for Warning a Driver of a Motor Vehicle
2015-09-10
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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