Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle

Abstract

In an engine provided with a throttle valve actuator which controls the opening/closing of the throttle valve, a target throttle valve opening degree is determined based the amount of accelerator pedal depression. Following a speed change command being issued in an automatic transmission the target throttle position is gradually decreased until an inertial phase is detected. The target throttle opening is then returned to that which corresponds to the accelerator pedal depression by the driver. More specifically, a method of controlling a vehicle features: a speed change requirement detection which detects a speed change requirement being issued to a transmission; an input torque reduction which reduces the input torque input to the automatic transmission irrespective of the intention of the driver; a gear change period commencement time detection which detects a time corresponding to a speed change engagement commencement time during speed change; and an input torque reduction control completion step which completes the torque reduction control in a manner where, after a speed change requirement is detected, the input torque is reduced by a predetermined amount by the torque reduction step, and a time corresponding to a speed change element engagement commencement timing during speed change is detected by the gear change period commencement detection step.