System and method for operating vehicle in selected vehicle mode

A system for operating a vehicle in a vehicle mode, the system comprising:

• a drive axle having a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft configured to drive a first wheel of a set of vehicle wheels and the second shaft configured to drive a second wheel of the set of vehicle wheels;
• a differential operable in a first differential mode in which the first shaft and the second shaft are allowed to rotate at different speeds, and a second differential mode in which the differential inhibits relative rotation between the first and second shafts;
• a plurality of sensors configured to measure vehicle operating conditions;
• and
• a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors and the differential, wherein the controller, when the vehicle mode is selected, is configured to:
• determine if an intended path of the vehicle is straight based on signals from the plurality of sensors;
• determine if a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
• determine if a vehicle transmission is set to upshift within a first predetermined time period in response to the vehicle speed being greater than the predetermined vehicle speed;
• and
• operate the differential in the second differential mode for a second predetermined time period in response to the controller determining that the intended path of vehicle is straight and the transmission being set to upshift within the first predetermined time period.

A method for operating a vehicle in a vehicle mode, the method comprising:

• measuring, using a plurality of sensors, vehicle operating conditions;
• determining, using a controller, if an intended path of the vehicle is straight based on the measured vehicle operating conditions;
• determining, using the controller, if a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined vehicle speed based on the measured vehicle operating conditions;
• and
• switching a differential, using the controller, when the vehicle mode is selected, from a first differential mode in which a first shaft and a second shaft are allowed to rotate at different speeds to a second differential mode in which the differential inhibits relative rotation between the first and second shafts in response to the controller determining that the intended path of the vehicle is straight and the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed.