Control of an automatic transmission by the evaluation of the speed of activation of the gear stage range

An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission the apparatus comprising:

• a control apparatus selects, from a plurality of transmission gear stages, one transmission gear to be engaged with consideration given to data which is input from an operator with aid of a gear range shifter for a manual choice of a gear range, the gear range shifter possesses at least a D-shift position for selection of a forward gear range, an N-position for selection of an idle position of the automatic transmission and an R-shift position for selection of a reverse direction gear area, and the automatic transmission having both a fast gear mode as well as a creeper gear mode, the control apparatus at least contributes to evaluation of adjustment speed of the gear range shifter to determine whether one of the creeper gear mode or the fast gear mode should be engaged, and the gear range shifter is a rotary shifter.