CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE

A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes (i) drive wheels, (ii) an engine, (iii) a filter configured to collect particulate matters contained in exhaust gas of the engine, (iv) a fluid transmission device provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the drive wheels and (v) a direct clutch configured to connect between an input member and an output member of the fluid transmission device. The control apparatus includes (a) a regeneration control portion configured to execute a regeneration control for regenerating the filter, by controlling the engine such that the particulate matters collected in the filter are easily burned; and (b) a clutch control portion configured to execute a release control for placing the direct clutch into a released state when the regeneration control is being executed.