CONTROLLING HEATED WINDSHIELD LOAD TO ALLOW AND MAXIMIZE STOP-START AVAILABILITY

Methods for improving operation of a stop-start system of a vehicle include controlling an electrical load delivered to an electrically heated windshield (HWS) subsystem of the vehicle prior to a stop cycle or a start cycle of the stop-start system. The methods include steps of discontinuing the electrical load delivered to the HWS subsystem for a predetermined time period prior to a determined predicted stop cycle of the stop-start system. The methods further include differently apportioning the electrical load delivered to a passenger's side and a driver's side of the HWS subsystem. The differently apportioning may be according to a determined ambient temperature value, and further may include steps of differently apportioning the electrical load for predetermined time periods determined according to the ambient temperature value. Vehicle stop-start systems and vehicles implementing the methods are described.