Abstract: A vehicle gearshift selection system for a multiple-speed power-assisted transmission having a gearshift lever which is shiftable into a single shift-up position or a single shift-down position. A gear sensor for monitoring the position of the gearshift lever and connected to an evaluation control circuit. The electronic evaluation control circuit is connected to the multiple-speed power-assisted transmission and receives signals concerning the prevailing driving conditions of the vehicle for engaging an optimum higher gear when the gearshift lever is shifted-up and for engaging an optimum lower gear when the gearshift lever is shifted-down.

Abstract: A gear shift control system for a motor vehicle in which a micro-computer is fed signals representative of the output speed of the transmission and the selected gear position. This information allows the computer to recognize when the engine speed is within an optimum range. A latching mechanism associated with the gear shift lever is controlled by the computer to lock the gear shift lever. Such an arrangement avoids accidental improper shifting on the part of the operator to prevent engine damage due to over or under speeding of the engine, particularly in arrangements where the respective gear positions of the gear shift lever are arranged in line, as opposed to the conventional H configuration. The computer may be stored with several programs that can be selectively activated to vary the locking point of the gear shift lever within the optimum speed range, depending on the intent to operate the vehicle in a "speedy" or "economical" mode, for example.