An apparatus and method for automatic leveling of elevator cars by controlled DC plugging of AC induction motors. The invention utilizes, in a novel circuit and control arrangement, the external neutral connection of a Y-wound motor design to inject controlled direct current into the neutral to dynamically control the braking to a stop. The elevator car is thus more safely and accurately leveled at the desired floor than has heretofore been known in the art. A novel speed control method is also disclosed which compares and sums positive and negative DC signals and which switches to the motor braking mode at a desired time.