Patent ID: 7704187

Claim:
A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission having an automatic shift mode for performing a shift operation by determining a gear position or gear ratio to be set according to a vehicle running condition and a manual shift mode for performing a shift operation instructed by a manual operation by an operator; said manual shift mode including: a first manual shift mode for performing a shift operation instructed by a manual operation such that a manual shift range is selected by the operator and an upshift switch or a downshift switch is operated by the operator in said manual shift range; and a second manual shift mode for performing a shift operation instructed by a manual operation such that an automatic shift range is selected by the operator and said upshift switch or said downshift switch is operated by the operator in said automatic shift range; said shift control apparatus comprising: vehicle speed determining means for comparing the present vehicle speed with a predetermined vehicle speed and determining whether the present vehicle speed is in a region lower than said predetermined vehicle speed; and downshift allowing means for allowing downshift instructed by the manual operation by the operator when said vehicle speed determining means has determined that the present vehicle speed is in said region; said predetermined vehicle speed in said second manual shift mode being set lower than said predetermined vehicle speed in said first manual shift mode.