Control of a vehicle automatic transmission

摘要

A vehicle automatic transmission having a torque converter and a multiple stage transmission gear mechanism connected with the torque converter. The gear stage of the gear mechanism is selected in accordance with the vehicle operating condition. The transmission includes friction members. One of the friction members is engaged for a higher gear stage and disengaged for a lower gear stage whereas the other is disengaged for the higher gear stage and engaged for the lower gear stage. In shifting down from the higher gear stage to the lower gear stage, the other friction member is engaged after a predetermined time from the disengagement of the one friction member.