A method of controlling the rotational speed of a continuously variable transmission having a pair of pulleys which each includes a fixed pulley member and a movable pulley member, including the steps of decreasing and increasing the groove width between each pair of fixed and movable pulley members to respectively increase and decrease the rotational radius of a belt wrapped around the pulleys. A hydraulic clutch is provided and is connected to and disconnected from the driving force of the transmission in response to clutch pressure applied thereto. A control section is provided for calculating a desired clutch pressure for the hydraulic clutch. This desired clutch pressure is based on an engine torque value and a desired engine rotational speed. When the clutch is in a normal starting mode and certain other predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control section is used to adjust the desired engine rotational speed based on the temperature of the oil in the transmission.