A method for reducing the energy consumption of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and at least one vehicle electrical system to which at least a first electrical consumer is connected, wherein - in a first operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with a first injected fuel quantity and with a first ignition timing, - in a second operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with a second injected fuel quantity which is greater than the first injected fuel quantity and with a second ignition timing, the second ignition timing being less favourable than the first ignition timing in respect of the performance capability of the internal combustion engine with the second injected fuel quantity, - in a third operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with the second injected fuel quantity and substantially with the first ignition timing, so that the performance capability of the internal combustion engine in the third operating mode is higher than in the second operating mode, characterised in that - a driving situation detection device provided in the vehicle detects in advance a particular imminent driving situation based on the previous behaviour of the driver (102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110, 111, 201, 205, 206, 210, 212, 213, 302, 303, 401, 403) in controlling the vehicle and/or of the vehicle and causes the internal combustion engine to be brought out of the first operating mode into the second operating mode, and - the first electrical consumer is an electrically actuated steering system of the motor vehicle and the particular imminent driving situation is a turning procedure, the position of the accelerator or throttle being detected by the driving situation detection device to determine a turning procedure, and the internal combustion engine is brought out of the first operating mode into the second operating mode if the accelerator or throttle is substantially in its idle position (104, 108, 111, 205, 212, 302), if the acceleration of the vehicle is negative and if the speed falls below a predetermined threshold value. - in a first operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with a first injected fuel quantity and with a first ignition timing, - in a second operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with a second injected fuel quantity which is greater than the first injected fuel quantity and with a second ignition timing, the second ignition timing being less favourable than the first ignition timing in respect of the performance capability of the internal combustion engine with the second injected fuel quantity, - in a third operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with the second injected fuel quantity and substantially with the first ignition timing, so that the performance capability of the internal combustion engine in the third operating mode is higher than in the second operating mode, characterised in that - a driving situation detection device provided in the vehicle detects in advance a particular imminent driving situation based on the previous behaviour of the driver (102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110, 111, 201, 205, 206, 210, 212, 213, 302, 303, 401, 403) in controlling the vehicle and/or of the vehicle and causes the internal combustion engine to be brought out of the first operating mode into the second operating mode, and - the first electrical consumer is an electrically actuated steering system of the motor vehicle and the particular imminent driving situation is a turning procedure, the position of the accelerator or throttle being detected by the driving situation detection device to determine a turning procedure, and the internal combustion engine is brought out of the first operating mode into the second operating mode if the accelerator or throttle is substantially in its idle position (104, 108, 111, 205, 212, 302), if the acceleration of the vehicle is negative and if the speed falls below a predetermined threshold value.