Abstract: A method for providing a shift position indication in an automatic transmission comprising the steps of providing a display device, sensing a position of an input device, the input device being responsive to manipulation by a driver and having a plurality of input positions, sensing an active gear ratio, and modifying the display device to display the position of the input device and the active gear ratio. An apparatus for displaying information on both the position of the shift lever and the activated gear ratio is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing first and second automatic shift modes for an automatic transmission. Shifting of the automatic transmission is controlled by a transmission controller. The driver selects a control mode by manipulating an input device. The controller controls the operation of the automatic transmission using a first set of operating characteristics and a second set of operating characteristics in response to receiving the first mode signal and the second mode signals, wherein the first and second sets of operating characteristics include engine management characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing manual shift modes for an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle is provided. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the automatic transmission and the motor vehicle and are adapted to sense a plurality of parameters thereof and produce a plurality of respective sensor signals. An input device, responsive to manipulation by a driver, is adapted to produce one of an upshift signal and a downshift signal and a mode setting signal in response thereto. A controller is coupled to the automatic transmission and the input device and is adapted to receive the mode setting signal and the sensor signals and select one of a first and second manual modes in response thereto and to receive one of the upshift and downshift signals and responsively shift the automatic transmission in response to the sensor signals and the selected one of the first and second manual modes.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automatic transmission. The method initially determines if a kick down gear change is required. If so, the method determines if the throttle rate is increasing. If the throttle rate is increasing, the method determines if the throttle rate is less than a pre-selected threshold. If the throttle rate is greater than or equal to the pre-selected threshold, the kick down gear change is performed at an aggressive rate. However, if the throttle rate is less than the pre-selected threshold, the kick down gear change is performed at a slower rate.

Abstract: A method for selecting between first and second manual shift modes for an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a gear shift lever with first and second manual positions, placing the gear shift lever in a first manual position, and subsequently placing the gear shift lever in a second position. The method further includes the steps of selecting the first manual shift mode if the gear shift lever remains in the second position for a predetermined time period, cycling between the second and first manual positions while the gear shift lever remains in the second position, and setting a current manual mode equal to a last one of the first and second manual mode prior to the gear shift lever being released.