Abstract: This invention provides a method of regenerating a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust-gas purification system of a diesel engine using lambda variation. During regeneration on demand, the ratio of air to fuel for the corresponding operating point of the diesel engine is adjusted so as to achieve the substantially highest possible exhaust-gas temperature. For this purpose, the ratio of air to fuel (lambda value) is preferably kept at a minimum and substantially constant over the major part of the load range so that the engine is operated at full load during the regeneration phases.