A method is provided for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in which the engine speed is limited after a cold start and a normal shift point is used for shifting to the next higher gear of the automatic transmission in the case of an average operating temperature of an engine, before the average operating temperature is reached, a cold shift point being used for shifting to the next higher gear of the automatic transmission, in the case of which upshifting is performed at a lower vehicle velocity than in the case of the normal shift point. Upshifting into the next higher gear of the automatic transmission can be made easier, since upshifting can already be performed at lower vehicle velocities and therefore lower engine speeds in the cold start phase.