Patent ID: 7708095

Claim:
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: an engine; a motor-generator; a first engagement element disposed between the engine and the motor-generator; a second engagement element disposed between the motor-generator and a drive wheel; a temperature detector operable to detect a temperature of the second engagement element; and a controller operable to: selectively provide one of a first drive mode in which the first engagement element is disengaged and the second engagement element is engaged to drive the vehicle only using the motor-generator, a second drive mode in which the first and second engagement elements are engaged to drive the vehicle using both the engine and the motor-generator and a third drive mode in which the first engagement element is engaged and the second engagement element is in slip-engagement to drive the vehicle using both the engine and the motor-generator; and select the first drive mode when the temperature of the second engagement element is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature value during a low-speed driving period below a predetermined vehicle speed.