Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for metering fuel for an internal combustion engine having a lambda control. In the method, characteristic parameters of the lambda control are changed in conjunction with a hot start of the engine. A leaning of the fuel mixture can be countered in a targeted manner by utilizing the lambda control to enrich the mixture. The bandwidth of the vaporizing performance of possible fuel types must not be covered by an averaged enrichment factor. For this reason, and for intense leaning of the fuel mixture, far greater enrichment factors are possible. The advantages afforded are that the additional measures such as raising the idle rpm are only initiated when actual hot idle problems are present. This is a further advantage in conjunction with the method of the invention. The measures of raising the idle speed can be used much more than previously since these problems occur infrequently and are clearly selectable with the aid of the method of the invention.