A system and method are disclosed for controlling shifting of a vehicle having an automated manual transmission. In the system and method, an amount of fuel being provided to a first grouping of cylinders is reduced, where the first grouping of cylinders are fewer than all of the available cylinders; the first grouping of cylinders are placed in an engine braking mode; a first gear of the vehicle transmission is disengaged; an amount of fuel being provided to a second grouping of cylinders which does not include the first grouping of cylinders is reduced; engine speed is reduced by braking; and a second gear of the transmission is engaged.