Patent ID: 8128530

Claim:
A method of controlling a neutral position and a parking lock of one of an automatic or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle, the neutral position and the parking lock being engaged, for immobilizing the motor vehicle, depending on a drive position (P, R, N, D) selected with a selector device by a driver of the motor vehicle and depending on other motor vehicle operating parameters, the method comprising the following steps of: automatically engaging and retaining engagement of the parking lock of the transmission WHEN simultaneously the motor vehicle is at least approximately stationary, AND an ignition circuit acting on a drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted, AND a drive position “Park” (P) has been selected using the selector device; automatically engaging the parking lock of the transmission WHEN simultaneously the motor vehicle is at least approximately stationary, AND the ignition circuit of the drive motor is electrically interrupted, AND a drive position “Forward” (D) or “Reverse” (R) has been selected using the selector device; automatically shifting and temporarily retaining the transmission in a non-frictionally engaged neutral position WHEN simultaneously the motor vehicle is at least approximately stationary, AND the ignition circuit of the drive motor is electrically interrupted, AND a drive position “Neutral” (N) has been selected using the selector device, AND a Neutral-holding phase has been activated using a separate operating device if the parking lock of the transmission is disengaged; and automatically retaining the transmission in a non-frictionally connected neutral position until it is detected that the driver wants to leave or is leaving the vehicle, upon which the parking lock is automatically engaged for immobilizing the motor vehicle, WHEN simultaneously the motor vehicle is at least approximately stationary, AND the ignition circuit of the drive motor is electrically interrupted, AND the drive position “Neutral” (N) has been selected using the selector device, AND the Neutral-holding phase is not activated.