Method and apparatus for operating a motor vehicle

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle having a driving engine and an automated or automatic transmission in a drive train for transmitting a torque, said method comprising the steps of: providing a transmission control unit including a memory function and operable to control a shift of gears within the transmission, controlling a clutch engagement/disengagement process to improve riding comfort during a shift of gears from R to D by momentary engagement of engine torque before a shift of gears takes place by means of a transmission actuator.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of providing a driver-identifying lock recognition system that includes driver-specific parameters for controlling vehicle operation in accordance with predetermined driver-related vehicle operation characteristics.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of changing engine torque by means of the transmission control unit that is regulated by a CAN bus.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the engine torque is less than 10 Nm before the gear shift.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of utilizing at least one of the memory function of the transmission control unit and a driver-identifying lock system to balance relevant adaptation parameters in the control unit.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of establishing an additional signal during communication with the transmission control unit to identify the corresponding driver.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of inputting adaptation parameters for a transmission shift program following a boot process of the transmission control unit and the identification of the driver.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the linking of the signals from the control unit takes place through a CAN bus of the motor vehicle.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of detecting in a chassis level regulation control unit for level control of a chassis data received from level control actuators, and correlating the level control actuator data with the transmission control unit to control vehicle pitch angle.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein a level control of the chassis takes place as a function of clutch engagement/disengagement and transmission shift processes.

11. Apparatus for operating a motor vehicle having a driving engine and an automated or automatic transmission in a drive train for transmitting a torque, said apparatus comprising: a control unit including a memory function, wherein the control unit is operable to control operation of a clutch and a shift of gears within the transmission to provide a clutch engagement/disengagement process to improve riding comfort during a shift of gears from R to D by momentary engagement of engine torque before a shift of gears takes place, and a transmission actuator operatively connected with the transmission control unit for shifting gears.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 , including vehicle leveling actuators arranged in at least one of a forward and a rear axle of the motor vehicle, wherein the leveling actuators are parallel to respective chassis-mounted shock absorbers.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 , wherein during a control process regulating distances of the leveling actuators of an axle are regulated individually for each wheel of the vehicle.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 , including a driver identification system for accessing driver-specific vehicle operating parameters for controlling vehicle operation and transmission gear shifts.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 , including vehicle leveling actuators arranged in at least one of a forward and a rear axle of the motor vehicle, wherein the leveling actuators are components of shock absorbers.