Abstract: For adjusting the beginning of the pump delivery in a timing device of an injection pump of an air-compressing internal combustion engine for the drive of a vehicle, the beginning of pump delivery belonging to the load condition is determined and adjusted by means of an electric control unit on the basis of the operating parameters internal combustion engine rotational speed, control rack displacement and crankshaft position signal. For reducing the noise emission of the internal combustion engine, in case of a change from an internal combustion engine load which exists over a predetermined time period, from a lower load range into an upper load range, the beginning of the pump delivery is initially adjusted by the control unit in the direction of retard and subsequently the beginning of the pump delivery coordinated to the changed load condition is caused to follow-up with time delay.