Vehicle control device with automatic engine stop function

A vehicle control device for a vehicle with an automatic engine stop function, the vehicle being selectively operable either in EV mode in which the vehicle runs only by power of a motor or in HEV mode in which the vehicle runs by a power source including an engine, the vehicle control device comprising:

• a pump driven by the engine for supplying an operating oil;
• a valve timing change means that is supplied with the operating oil for changing an intake valve timing in a predetermined range between an advance side and a retard side, the valve timing change means being configured to lock the intake valve timing to a predetermined advance position in response to the engine being put in a non-operating state by an ignition OFF irrespective of presence or absence of the operating oil, the valve timing change means being configured to control the intake valve timing to a predetermined decompression valve timing when the engine is in the EV mode, wherein the predetermined advance position is more advanced than the predetermined decompression valve timing;
• a shift lever that is operable by the driver and includes a parking range to achieve the vehicle parking state;
• an engine controller that is configured, when the engine is in non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range,
• to start the engine to supply the operating oil to thereby actuate the valve timing change means;
• to change to and subsequently lock the valve timing change means into the predetermined advance position;
• and
• to stop the engine thereafter.