Method of shifting the gears of a vehicle automatic transmission between at least first and second different control modes including the step of effecting a changeover from the first to the second control modes when the speed with which the accelerator travels downward exceeds a predetermined limit or when the accelerator travels past a predetermined position. The method also includes effecting changeover from the second control mode to the first control mode when the accelerator travels back a predetermined amount, for example when released, but only if the accelerator pedal does not subsequently travel forward at more than a predetermined rate during a predetermined time of acceleration after the accelerator pedal had moved back. However, changeover from the second control mode to the first control mode can be effected in response to movement of the accelerator pedal below a predetermined position reduced by a fixed amount to account for hysteresis. The first control mode can be such that fuel consumption is optimized, while the second control mode can be such as to provide a maximum acceleration.