A controller including an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit is configured to determine at least one of whether a first absolute value is at least equal to a first threshold and whether a second absolute value is at least equal to a second threshold. When the electronic control unit determines that at least one of the first absolute value and the second absolute value is at least equal to the corresponding threshold, torque capacity of an automatic clutch is controlled such that the automatic clutch is brought into a slipping state. The first absolute value is an absolute value of rotational acceleration of an input shaft of a transmission, and the second absolute value is an absolute value of rotational acceleration of drive wheels.

A clutch control system mitigates driveline shock loads in a vehicle. The clutch control system has 1) A friction clutch capable of transitioning between a fully open, a partially open, and a fully closed position; 2) A control unit configured to receive vehicle data, wherein the vehicle data comprises current engine torque, and define one or more operational modes of the friction clutch, wherein the one or more operational modes comprise a driveline protection mode defined by having an operating range between the fully open position and an effectively closed position of the clutch, wherein the effectively closed position is a partially open position having a torque capacity that exceeds the current engine torque, thereby preventing clutch slip at the effectively closed position; and 3) A clutch actuator configured to operate the clutch in accordance with the one or more operational modes, including the driveline protection mode.