Vehicle control apparatus

A vehicle control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

• an engine coupled to wheels via a power transmission path;
• a clutch provided in the power transmission path;
• a torque converter provided in the power transmission path and disposed between the engine and the clutch;
• a lock-up piston contained in a case of the torque converter and configured to define an apply chamber and a release chamber in the case;
• a lock-up control valve coupled to the apply chamber via an apply oil path and coupled to the release chamber via a release oil path;
• and
• a control system comprising a processor and a memory coupled so as to be communicable with each other, wherein
• a spool valve stem of the lock-up control valve is configured to move to an engagement position where working fluid is supplied to the apply oil path and the working fluid is discharged from the release oil path, a disengagement position where the working fluid is supplied to the release oil path and the working fluid is discharged from the apply oil path, and an intermediate position located between the engagement position and the disengagement position, and
• the control system is configured to
• perform, when a starting condition of the engine is satisfied in a state where the spool valve stem is moved to the intermediate position and the clutch is engaged, a first starting control in which the engine is cranked in a state where the spool valve stem is held at the intermediate position and the clutch is engaged, and
• perform, when a start of the engine by the first starting control fails, a second starting control in which the engine is cranked in a state where the spool valve stem is moved to the disengagement position and the clutch is engaged
• the intermediate position of the spool valve stem is a position where both the apply oil path and the release oil path are shut off.