Patent ID: 8062176

Claim:
A method for controlling a neutral position and a parking lock of one of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle such that the neutral position and the parking lock, provided for immobilizing the motor vehicle, are engaged depending on a drive setting (P, R, N, D) selected by a driver of the motor vehicle using a selector device and depending on operating parameters of the motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: engaging and retaining engagement of the parking lock of the transmission IF the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary AND simultaneously an ignition circuit associated with a drive engine of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted, AND a “Park” (P) drive setting has been selected using the selector device; automatically engaging the parking lock of the transmission IF the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary AND simultaneously the ignition circuit of the drive engine is electrically interrupted AND one of a “Drive” (D) or a “Reverse” (R) setting is selected using the selector device; automatically shifting and temporarily retaining the transmission to a friction-force-free neutral position IF the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary AND simultaneously the ignition circuit of the drive engine is electrically interrupted AND a “Neutral” (N) drive setting has been selected using the selector device AND a Neutral-holding phase, that is actuated by a separate operating device provided in addition to the selector device, has been actuated provided that the parking lock of the transmission has not yet been engaged; and automatically engaging the parking lock of the transmission IF the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary AND simultaneously the ignition circuit of the drive engine is electrically interrupted AND the “Neutral” (N) drive setting has been selected using the selector device AND the Neutral-holding phase has not been actuated.