Device and method of control for the gear change of an automatic motor vehicle transmission

A speed change control method and apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission having a first-speed clutch for establishing a first speed and a second-speed clutch for establishing a second speed, includes subjection of at least a duty ratio Dr of a second-speed solenoid valve for supplying oil pressure to the second-speed clutch to feedback control, so that the first-speed clutch is engaged while disengaging the second-speed clutch. This thereby increases a turbine rotational speed Nt toward the first-speed synchronous rotational speed. Further, an upper limit value Dmax of the duty ratio Dr is set, and the duty ratio Dr is subject to feedback control within a resultant duty ratio range, thereby preventing the duty ratio Dr from being set at an excessive value caused by a delay in the rise of the oil pressure. As a result, even if a depression of an accelerator pedal is suddenly increased during a downshifting process, an interlock problem can be prevented, thereby ensuring smooth speed change.