PURPOSE: To eliminate the feeling of strangeness by an excessive engine brake force by releasing operation of an engine brake at a gear position corresponding to a jumping down shift when a foot brake is made non-operating while a down shift speed change is performed.

CONSTITUTION: If an operating condition where an engine brake is required is detected by a condition determining means C, an automatic engine brake means B causes an automatic transmission A to make a down shift speed change to effectivate the engine brake. If a brake detecting means G detects that a foot brake becomes non-operating while this down shift speed change is detected by an automatic engine brake detecting means E, an enging brake releasing means F sends a signal to the engine brake requirement determining means C to release operation of the engine brake at a gear position corresponding to a jumping down shift speed change detected by a gear position detecting means D. The feeling of strangeness by a driver by an excessive engine brake force can thus be eliminated.