Control apparatus for a two-stage solenoid valve, having: an actuation device which is designed to output a current, which is flowing through at least one solenoid coil of the solenoid valve, to the solenoid valve as a switching signal, wherein the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its deenergized switching state into its energized switching state by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, when required, to increase a current intensity of the switching signal from zero to a switching current intensity (I s) that is greater than or equal to a holding current intensity predefined by the design of the solenoid valve, by means of which switching current intensity the solenoid valve can be switched from its deenergized switching state into its energized switching state, and wherein the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its energized switching state into its deenergized switching state at least by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, when required, to set the current intensity of the switching signal during a switching time interval (Δ total) to at least one current intensity value between zero and the switching current intensity (I s), characterized in that the two-stage solenoid valve that is electrically switched by means of the control apparatus can only be switched into its energized switching state or into its deenergized switching state, and the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its energized switching state into its deenergized switching state by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, during the switching time interval (Δ total), to increase the current intensity of the switching signal to a predefined current pulse value (I high) between zero and the switching current intensity (I s) at least twice for each predefined pulse time interval (Δt puls) and, during the times of the switching time interval (Δ total) outside of the pulse time intervals (Δt puls), to set the current intensity of the switching signal to at least one current intensity value that is greater than zero and less than the predefined current pulse value (I high), and after the switching time interval (Δ total) to reduce the current intensity of the switching signal to zero. an actuation device which is designed to output a current, which is flowing through at least one solenoid coil of the solenoid valve, to the solenoid valve as a switching signal, wherein the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its deenergized switching state into its energized switching state by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, when required, to increase a current intensity of the switching signal from zero to a switching current intensity (I s) that is greater than or equal to a holding current intensity predefined by the design of the solenoid valve, by means of which switching current intensity the solenoid valve can be switched from its deenergized switching state into its energized switching state, and wherein the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its energized switching state into its deenergized switching state at least by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, when required, to set the current intensity of the switching signal during a switching time interval (Δ total) to at least one current intensity value between zero and the switching current intensity (I s), characterized in that the two-stage solenoid valve that is electrically switched by means of the control apparatus can only be switched into its energized switching state or into its deenergized switching state, and the actuation device can switch the solenoid valve from its energized switching state into its deenergized switching state by virtue of the fact that the actuation device is designed, during the switching time interval (Δ total), to increase the current intensity of the switching signal to a predefined current pulse value (I high) between zero and the switching current intensity (I s) at least twice for each predefined pulse time interval (Δt puls) and, during the times of the switching time interval (Δ total) outside of the pulse time intervals (Δt puls), to set the current intensity of the switching signal to at least one current intensity value that is greater than zero and less than the predefined current pulse value (I high), and after the switching time interval (Δ total) to reduce the current intensity of the switching signal to zero.