US Patent 10012201 Method for controlling a stop/start vehicle

A method for allowing or prohibiting automatic engine stopping and starting is presented. In one example, an engine cranking time is predicted and compared to a threshold value to determine whether or not automatic engine stopping and starting is to be allowed or prohibited. The predicted engine cranking time is a metric for judging whether or not vehicle occupants might find a possible subsequent vehicle operation delay objectionable due to an engine starting event.