Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for an engine that may be operated at higher altitudes are presented. In one non-limiting example, a transmission that is mechanically coupled to the engine may be shifted from a gear to neutral in response to an actual total number of times a vehicle brake pedal is applied and partially released while the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is applied.

A method for improving fuel-efficiency during a temporary stop may include dividing, by an engine control apparatus, a neutral control condition into a neutral control entry and a neutral control release during a D-stage temporary stop, determining, a neutral control entry D-stage target RPM at a time of the neutral control entry, and a neutral control release D-stage target RPM at a time of the neutral control release, and RPM shifting the neutral control entry D-stage target RPM to a speed gradient conforming to a transmission clutch release time of a transmission control apparatus at a time of a neutral control after the neutral control entry and RPM shifting the neutral control release D-stage target RPM to a speed gradient conforming to a clutch coupling time of a transmission by the transmission control apparatus at a time of a neutral control after the neutral control release.

A control device for a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, a connector/disconnector, and control means, wherein the transmission is configured to change a speed of rotation by drive force of the engine and output the rotation. The connector/disconnector is configured to connect/disconnect transmission of the drive force from the engine to the transmission. The control means controls the engine, the transmission, and the connector/disconnector. In the vehicle control device, in a case where the control means performs idle neutral control by controlling the connector/disconnector to a released state after making the engine return from an idle stop state, the control means makes a determination as to performance of the idle neutral control when it is determined that a rotational speed of the engine is stabilized.

An enhanced control system for an electronic automatic transmission enables the transmission to operate in a full neutral idle, a reverse lockout, and an inching mode. These functions improve the mileage and durability of the operation of the transmission. They also enable the inching mode for use especially in industrial applications.

A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes disengaging a shifting element of the automatic transmission and measuring an input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging. A command pressure of the shifting element is adjusted to a target command pressure based at least in part on the input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging.