Control apparatus and method for automatic transmission

Abstract

A control apparatus for an automatic transmission, which executes a neutral control by which an input clutch that transmits driving force from a driving source to the automatic transmission is released when conditions, being i) a shift lever is in a position corresponding to a forward speed range, ii) an accelerator operation is not being performed, iii) a brake operation is being performed, and iv) a vehicle speed is equal to, or less than, a predetermined vehicle speed, are fulfilled, is provided a controller which detects a road gradient and outputs a command to release the input clutch when i) the detected road gradient is equal to, or less than, a predetermined value, and ii) the conditions are fulfilled. After the command has been output, the controller compares the detected road gradient and the predetermined value and cancels the output of the command if the road gradient is greater than the predetermined value. Accordingly, fuel efficiency is able to be further improved during the neutral control.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.