Abstract: In a method for detecting a running internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine, as a first drive unit, and a second drive unit contribute toward driving the hybrid vehicle. To determine reliably whether the internal combustion engine is running during hybrid operation, an interference signal is actively introduced into the ongoing operating sequence of the internal combustion engine, and the response of the internal combustion engine to this interference signal is evaluated. If there is no response of the internal combustion engine, it is concluded that the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine (60) having multiple combustion chambers (62, 64, 66, 68), wherein said internal combustion engine (60) has a starting system (50) and is operated using a start-stop function, and wherein said starting system (50) is actuated after a stop phase in operation of said internal combustion engine (60) to restart said internal combustion engine (60), a combustion chamber (62, 64, 66, 68) to be ignited first of the multiple combustion chambers (62, 64, 66, 68) is determined upon a restart of the internal combustion engine (60), and after a first ignition of the combustion chamber (62, 64, 66, 68) to be ignited first, speed data for the internal combustion engine (60) are detected, and a starter release of the starting system (50) is caused if the detected speed data meet a predetermined starter release criterion.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a running internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine, as a first drive unit, and a second drive unit contribute toward driving the hybrid vehicle. To determine reliably whether the internal combustion engine is running during hybrid operation, an interference signal is actively introduced into the ongoing operating sequence of the internal combustion engine, and the response of the internal combustion engine to this interference signal is evaluated. If there is no response of the internal combustion engine, it is concluded that the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine (60) having multiple combustion chambers (62, 64, 66, 68), wherein said internal combustion engine (60) has a starting system (50) and is operated using a start-stop function, and wherein said starting system (50) is actuated after a stop phase in operation of said internal combustion engine (60) to restart said internal combustion engine (60), a combustion chamber (62, 64, 66, 68) to be ignited first of the multiple combustion chambers (62, 64, 66, 68) is determined upon a restart of the internal combustion engine (60), and after a first ignition of the combustion chamber (62, 64, 66, 68) to be ignited first, speed data for the internal combustion engine (60) are detected, and a starter release of the starting system (50) is caused if the detected speed data meet a predetermined starter release criterion.

Abstract: In a method for operating a direct-injection internal combustion engine, a position of at least one piston inside a cylinder in which the combustion engine is at a standstill is determined; and a starting cylinder into which fuel is injected first is selected for a start following the standstill. An instantaneous charge of the starting cylinder is determined as a function of a duration of the standstill of the combustion engine. A distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and a specified position of the piston is calculated. A minimum distance of the piston of the selected cylinder is determined as a function of the instantaneous charge; and another cylinder is selected as starting cylinder if the distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and the specified position is less than the minimum distance.

Abstract: In a method for operating a direct-injection internal combustion engine, a position of at least one piston inside a cylinder in which the combustion engine is at a standstill is determined; and a starting cylinder into which fuel is injected first is selected for a start following the standstill. An instantaneous charge of the starting cylinder is determined as a function of a duration of the standstill of the combustion engine. A distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and a specified position of the piston is calculated. A minimum distance of the piston of the selected cylinder is determined as a function of the instantaneous charge; and another cylinder is selected as starting cylinder if the distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and the specified position is less than the minimum distance.

Abstract: To achieve a reliable and exhaust-optimized combustion starting already from the beginning of a combustion phase in the startup of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is brought to a target speed by an electric motor in a drag phase, the target speed being higher than the previously known starting speed. The target speed corresponds approximately to an idling speed assigned to the internal combustion engine, for example. After exceeding the starting speed, first a mixture enrichment is determined, taking into account a prevailing state of a wall film here in particular. Only after reaching the target speed is the fuel metered and does the combustion take place in the combustion phase. The fuel is metered here in particular on the basis of the mixture enrichment determined after exceeding the starting speed.