Method for controlling a powertrain and a transmission system

A transmission system comprising:

• an automatic transmission including an input clutch, the input clutch having an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the input clutch is configured to operatively connect the automatic transmission to an internal combustion engine in the engaged state, and the input clutch is configured to operatively disconnect the automatic transmission from the internal combustion engine in the disengaged state;
• a transmission control module in electric communication with the automatic transmission, the transmission control module being programmed to:
• determine whether a vehicle is coasting to a stop based on an accelerator pedal position;
• determine whether the automatic transmission is in first gear;
• send a clutch command to the automatic transmission in order to shift the input clutch from the engaged state to the disengaged state;
• and
• send a shift command to the automatic transmission in order to shift the automatic transmission to first gear after shifting the input clutch to the disengaged state in order to allow the internal combustion engine to be shut down while the vehicle is coasting to a stop.

A vehicle comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• an engine control module in electronic communication with the internal combustion engine;
• an accelerator pedal operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine;
• an accelerator pedal sensor operatively coupled to the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal sensor being configured to determine an accelerator pedal position;
• an automatic transmission including an input clutch, the input clutch having an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the input clutch is configured to operatively connect the automatic transmission to the internal combustion engine in the engaged state, and the input clutch is configured to operatively disconnect the automatic transmission from the internal combustion engine in the disengaged state;
• and
• a transmission control module in electric communication with the automatic transmission and the engine control module, the transmission control module being programmed to:
• determine whether the vehicle is coasting to a stop based on the accelerator pedal position;
• determine whether the automatic transmission is in first gear;
• send a clutch command to the automatic transmission in order to shift the input clutch from the engaged state to the disengaged state;
• send a shift command to the automatic transmission in order to shift the automatic transmission to first gear after shifting the input clutch to the disengaged state;
• and
• send a deactivation command to the engine control module;
• and
• wherein the engine control module is programmed to shut down the internal combustion engine while the vehicle is coasting upon receipt of the deactivation command from the transmission control module.