Abstract: During minimal load or so called power off upshifts, the level of the line pressure which is applied during the inertia phase of a friction element which becomes engaged as a result of the upshift, is controlled in accordance with the rotational speed difference between parts of the friction element which are rotatable relative to one another.

Abstract: When the load on the engine of an engine/transmission system reduces suddenly, the sudden reduction is used as a trigger to delay the reduction of the line pressure which is supplied to the friction elements of the transmission in a predetermined manner which allows for engine speed/torque output to actually drop to the same level as the load.

Abstract: In order to determine a malfunction which results in the loss of torque reduction control, the engine speed and the torque converter characteristics are monitored when a torque down signal is issued. The maximum engine torque which should be produced under such circumstances is used to derive a corresponding maximum engine speed value. If the actual engine speed exceeds the estimated value, appropriate torque down control can be assumed to have been lost. In response a fail safe such as boosting line pressure to switching to an alternative source of torque control can implemented. A suitable warning signal can also be generated.

Abstract: A downshift control in an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein magnitude of servo activating hydraulic fluid pressure is temporarily decreased as a function of vehicle speed when the automatic transmission effects a downshift from a current gear ratio to a new gear ratio. Owing to this arrangement, a fluid operated frictional device associated with the current gear ratio is released quickly without any lag to allow quick increase in engine speed during the downshift with the throttle fully opened at a high vehicle speed, i.e., a power-on downshift at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: A unified control device for engine and automatic transmission of an automotive vehicles serves to alleviate a racing select shock which occurs upon engagement of a driving clutch in the transmission when selecting a running range of the transmission to start the vehicle with an accelerator pedal depressed. The control device achieves a reduction control during changeover of the transmission into a running range from a racing state, to reduce at least one parameter representing the output power to be transmitted from the engine to driving wheels via the transmission, such as engine speed, engine output and/or transfer torque capacity of the clutch, etc. The reduction control is stopped as soon as the completion of engagement of the driving clutch has been detected, to allow the vehicle to be started without engine stalling.