Drive control device for vehicle

Abstract

A drive control device is provided for a vehicle which has an automatic transmission and which is capable of setting a throttle opening independently of an accelerator opening. Herein, the drive control device detects a shift range and an engine speed, based on which prescribed controls are made with regard to a throttle and a clutch. That is, if the engine speed is higher than a predetermined engine speed value when the shift range is changed over from a non-running range (e.g., N range) to a running range (e.g., D range), the drive control device controls the throttle opening substantially in a fully closed state while controlling clutch oil pressure of a start-mode-engaged gear to be set at a predetermined oil pressure value which is greater than zero and at which the clutch does not have a torque transmission capacity. In addition, in a predetermined time after the engine speed becomes lower than the predetermined engine speed value, the drive control device maintains the throttle opening in the fully closed state while gradually increasing the clutch oil pressure of the start-mode-engaged gear so as to control the clutch to start an engagement operation. Thus, it is possible to ease an engagement shock of the clutch which occurs when the driver changes gears from the N range to the D range while depressing the accelerator pedal.