Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle with a drive device (20) which has at least one internal combustion engine (21) as a drive machine, wherein a drive torque requested by a driver of the vehicle (1) is implemented by operating at least the internal combustion engine (21) on a roadway (2), comprising the following steps: a) Monitoring the roadway (2) for road users (3) travelling ahead, by means of a surroundings sensor system (5), b) Monitoring a driver of the vehicle (1) by means of a state sensor system (8) with respect to his request to carry out an overtaking process in order to overtake a detected road user (3) travelling ahead, and if a request to carry out an overtaking process has been detected, c) Actuating the drive device (20) to prepare the overtaking process in such a way that before the overtaking process is carried out a torque reserve of the internal combustion engine (21) is built up.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unit having an engine and a transmission, which make possible an improved shifting strategy. In a first operating state, the engine is operated using a first number of active cylinders. In a second operating state, the engine is operated using a second number of active cylinders. The first number is different from the second number. A gear ratio is set as a function of at least one operating variable of the drive unit. The gear ratio is also set as a function of the current or the attainable operating state of the engine with respect to the number of the active cylinders.

Abstract: Method to detect a faulty operating condition during a cylinder cutoff of an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinder banks, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises in each case a separate mechanism to determine the Lambda value of the combustion for each cylinder bank. When the Lambda values of the cylinder banks change in opposite directions, a faulty cylinder cutoff is suggested.

Abstract: In order to achieve at least a short-term reduction of the torque of an internal combustion engine, which comprises a range as widely adjustable as possible, causes a slight as possible thermal stress on the components of the attached exhaust gas system and allows for a reduction of the fuel consumption, it is proposed that in addition to the cut off of the fuel-delivery control phase of a cylinder, an intake valve associated with the cylinder is cut off.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine are provided which make it possible to implement different deceleration requests to the internal combustion engine by switching over between half engine operation and full engine operation. A deceleration request is received particularly in a nonoperating state. A switchover is made between a first operating state and a second operating state of the internal combustion engine as a function of the magnitude of the deceleration request. The first operating state and the second operating state differ, in this instance, in the number of cylinders whose charge changing process is interrupted.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine make it possible to shift the combustion limit. In this context, a predefined output variable of the internal combustion engine such as the torque, for example, is realized in at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine by at least a retardation of an ignition angle. It is checked whether, due to the retardation of the ignition angle, a variable like, for example, a misfiring, characteristic for the combustibility of the air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, exceeds a predefined limiting value in terms of a deterioration of the combustibility, and in this case, at least one actuator of the internal combustion engine, different from an actuator for setting the ignition angle, such as the exhaust-gas recirculation valve or EGR valve, for instance, is controlled along the lines of improving the combustibility of the air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating internal combustion engine, in particular in an unfired state, are described, which make possible a largely jerk-free switchover between two operating states of internal combustion engine, having different numbers of cylinders that are activated regarding the charge cycle. Air is supplied to the internal combustion engine via an actuator in an air supply, and the quantity of air supplied to the internal combustion engine is influenced by the position of the actuator. A charge cycle state of at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine is changed. The position of the actuator in the air supply is changed with the change of the charge cycle state of the at least one cylinder.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder are described, the at least one cylinder including at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve and a diagnosis of at least one erroneous intake valve or at least one erroneous exhaust valve is made possible without using a position acknowledgment. A gas exchange of the at least one cylinder is diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unite having an engine and a transmission, which make possible an improved shifting strategy. In a first operating state, the engine is operated using a first number of active cylinders. In a second operating state, the engine is operated using a second number of active cylinders. The first number is different from the second number. A gear ratio is set as a function of at least one operating variable of the drive unit. The gear ratio is also set as a function of the current or the attainable operating state of the engine with respect to the number of the active cylinders.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine make it possible to shift the combustion limit. In this context, a predefined output variable of the internal combustion engine such as the torque, for example, is realized in at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine by at least a retardation of an ignition angle. It is checked whether, due to the retardation of the ignition angle, a variable like, for example, a misfiring, characteristic for the combustibility of the air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, exceeds a predefined limiting value in terms of a deterioration of the combustibility, and in this case, at least one actuator of the internal combustion engine, different from an actuator for setting the ignition angle, such as the exhaust-gas recirculation valve or EGR valve, for instance, is controlled along the lines of improving the combustibility of the air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine are provided which make it possible to implement different deceleration requests to the internal combustion engine by switching over between half engine operation and full engine operation. A deceleration request is received particularly in a nonoperating state. A switchover is made between a first operating state and a second operating state of the internal combustion engine as a function of the magnitude of the deceleration request. The first operating state and the second operating state differ, in this instance, in the number of cylinders whose charge changing process is interrupted.

Abstract: A method for switching between operating modes of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of control units, in particular a switchover between full-engine operation and half-engine operation, the control units being able to exchange data via a data link. The method includes a step in which it is checked whether an operating mode switchover should occur and that, if an operating mode switchover should occur, the data link between the control units is tested and/or the operating state of the control units is balanced.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unit of a vehicle having an engine which in a first operating state is operated with a first number of cylinders and in a second operating state is operated with a second number of cylinders. The first number of cylinders and the second number of cylinders are different from one another. The switchover of the engine between the first operating state and the second operating state is adapted to the driver type or the driving situation. Switchover between the first operating state and the second operating state is delayed as a function of the driver type or the driving situation.

Abstract: A method and device for diagnosing a crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine, which enable a diagnosis of a malfunction of an actuator of the crankcase ventilation. The internal combustion engine has at least two cylinder banks to which the crankcase ventilation is supplied, and an actuator is provided via whose position the distribution of the crankcase ventilation to the at least two cylinder banks is influenced. In a first position of the actuator, a different distribution of the crankcase ventilation to the at least two cylinder banks comes about than in a second position of the actuator that differs therefrom. Given simultaneously activated operation of the at least two cylinder banks, the actuator is switched over at least one between the two different positions. For at least one of the at least two cylinder banks, a characteristic variable of the internal combustion engine influenced by the crankcase ventilation is determined prior to and following the switchover operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder banks, of which at least one first cylinder bank is able to be deactivated. At least one cylinder of the first cylinder bank is intermittently activated again during the deactivation of the first cylinder bank.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder banks which allow a simple diagnosis of a faulty deactivation of the gas exchange of at least one cylinder bank, or a simple determination of the ambient pressure. In the process, in addition to at least one first cylinder bank having activated gas exchange of at least one cylinder, a deactivation of the gas exchange of all cylinders of at least one second cylinder bank is initiated in at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine. The at least one second cylinder bank is assigned a separate intake tract. In the at least one operating state, a variable that is characteristic for the pressure in the intake tract of the at least one second cylinder bank is measured and evaluated for the presence of undesired pressure pulsations.

Abstract: Method to detect a faulty operating condition during a cylinder cutoff of an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinder banks, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises in each case a separate mechanism to determine the Lambda value of the combustion for each cylinder bank. When the Lambda values of the cylinder banks change in opposite directions, a faulty cylinder cutoff is suggested.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder are described, the at least one cylinder including at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve and a diagnosis of at least one erroneous intake valve or at least one erroneous exhaust valve is made possible without using a position acknowledgment. A gas exchange of the at least one cylinder is diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: A method and device for diagnosing a crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine, which enable a diagnosis of a malfunction of an actuator of the crankcase ventilation. The internal combustion engine has at least two cylinder banks to which the crankcase ventilation is supplied, and an actuator is provided via whose position the distribution of the crankcase ventilation to the at least two cylinder banks is influenced. In a first position of the actuator, a different distribution of the crankcase ventilation to the at least two cylinder banks comes about than in a second position of the actuator that differs therefrom. Given simultaneously activated operation of the at least two cylinder banks, the actuator is switched over at least one between the two different positions. For at least one of the at least two cylinder banks, a characteristic variable of the internal combustion engine influenced by the crankcase ventilation is determined prior to and following the switchover operation.

Abstract: A method for switching between operating modes of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of control units, in particular a switchover between full-engine operation and half-engine operation, the control units being able to exchange data via a data link. The method includes a step in which it is checked whether an operating mode switchover should occur and that, if an operating mode switchover should occur, the data link between the control units is tested and/or the operating state of the control units is balanced.