A method of operating a motor vehicle transmission includes measuring an operating temperature of the transmission, the transmission having at least seven torque transmitting mechanisms and at least three planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having three gear members; determining if the transmission is in a park mode; determining if the operating temperature is below a predetermined threshold; if the operating temperature is below the predetermined threshold and the transmission is the park mode, implementing a shift delay mitigation process that includes engaging a fourth torque transmitting mechanism and a firth torque transmitting mechanism of the at least seven torque transmitting mechanisms so that they are locked to a ground to prevent a first gear member of the first planetary gear set from moving, which, in turn, prevents an input torque being transferred to a park pawl.