Abstract: Switching off a fuel pump of a fuel supply system for the internal combustion engine with the aid of a signal from a retardation sensor of the airbag in the event of a crash in which the motor vehicle is involved is known. To further enhance the safety of motor-vehicle occupants, a method is proposed for an internal combustion engine which has at least one fuel injection valve, a fuel supply system for the at least one fuel injection valve, and a sensor for detecting a crash. After the crash has been detected by means of the sensor, the fuel injection valve is brought into an open position, with the result that fuel is discharged from the fuel supply system of the fuel injection valve into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The method according to the invention is provided for internal combustion engines with at least one fuel injection valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for shutting down and restarting individual cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine by deactivating the charge change valves and the fuel injection. According to the invention, in shutting down a selected cylinder, the exhaust valve is disconnected first in all cases. Thereafter, the intake valve and fuel injection for the selected cylinder are controlled such that the last fuel injection into that cylinder takes place immediately before the last intake cycle. When a cylinder is restarted, the exhaust valve is always operated first, and only thereafter is the intake valve opened, with the first fuel injection always taking place immediately before the first intake cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for diagnosing defects in an exhaust gas recirculation device of an internal-combustion engine system having an engine timing gear with a knock control. According to the invention, the firing point is advanced until a predetermined minimal knock control displacement is reached, at a time when the engine is operating in steady-state conditions and the exhaust gas recirculation device is active. Subsequently, the exhaust gas recirculation rate is reduced while the advanced firing point is maintained, and it is determined whether the knock control frequency or the knock control displacement change. If not, a defect in the exhaust gas recirculation device is concluded.