Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied.

Abstract: An improved transmission shift pattern control that preserves the attributes of a selected base shift pattern while dynamically adjusting the high throttle shift thresholds based on a measure of vehicle loading. Heavy vehicle loading is detected by recognizing a pattern of high engine throttle and lower than expected vehicle acceleration, and the high power shifting thresholds are dynamically adjusted based on the detected loading to automatically provide aggressive shifting in a heavily loaded vehicle without producing excessive shift cycling in a normally or lightly loaded vehicle. A throttle timer is used to detect a condition of sustained high throttle operation, and under such condition, an acceleration timer determines the duration of lower than expected acceleration. If the determined duration exceeds a threshold, a shift pattern override is activated until the acceleration rises above an exit threshold.