Patent ID: 8255141
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: F02D

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing energy consumption of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a vehicle electric system to which at least a first electric consumer is operatively coupled, the method comprising the acts of: providing a first operating mode of the internal combustion engine having a first injection quantity and a first ignition timing; providing a second operating mode of the internal combustion engine having a second injection quantity higher than the first injection quantity and a second ignition timing which, at the second ignition quantity, provides a lower performance of the internal combustion engine than the first ignition timing; providing a third operating mode of the internal combustion engine having the second injection quantity and predominantly the first ignition timing in order to provide a higher performance of the internal combustion engine in the third operating mode than in the second operating mode; determining an imminent specific driving situation, based upon at least one of a previous behavior of the driver in controlling the motor vehicle and a behavior of the vehicle in advance, via a driving situation detection device of the vehicle; and upon determining the imminent specific driving situation, initiating a switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode of the internal combustion engine.