Patent ID: 8108115

Claim:
A vehicle control device comprising: an input member drive-connected to a drive power source; a mechanical pump which operates by rotational driving force of the input member; an electric pump which assists the mechanical pump; a drive transmission mechanism which transmits the rotational driving force of the input member to an output member; a fluid coupling provided between the input member and the drive transmission mechanism and including a lock-up engagement element which receives hydraulic oil discharged from the mechanical pump and the electric pump to operate; a state detection unit that detects the state of one or more factors influencing a discharge performance of the electric pump; and a control unit which executes a first control mode or a second control mode, wherein the first control mode permits engagement of the lock-up engagement element if a predetermined first condition is satisfied based on the one or more factors detected by the state detection unit, and wherein a second control mode inhibits engagement of the lock-up engagement element if the first condition is not satisfied based on the one or more factors detected by the state detection unit.