Method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle

A method of operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

• setting a countdown timer to define a time equal to zero;
• detecting a downshift in a transmission from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio, wherein the first gear ratio is a higher gear ratio than the second gear ratio;
• continuously sensing a speed of the vehicle;
• determining if the vehicle is operating within a freeway speed range or is not operating in the freeway speed range based upon the sensed speed of the vehicle;
• sensing a position of an accelerator pedal;
• determining if the accelerator pedal is depressed at least a minimum percentage of a fully depressed position based upon the sensed position of the accelerator pedal;
• setting the countdown timer to define a time equal to a pre-defined time, wherein the pre-defined time is a time greater than zero;
• starting the countdown timer to count down from the pre-defined time to zero when the downshift from the first gear ratio to the second gear ratio is detected, the vehicle is operating within the freeway speed range, and the accelerator pedal is depressed at least the minimum percentage of the fully depressed position;
• restricting an upshift of the transmission from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio while the countdown timer defines a time that is greater than zero;
• and
• not restricting the upshift of the transmission from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio when the countdown timer defines a time that is equal to zero.