Patent ID: 8348808

Claim:
A method for automatically turning off an internal-combustion engine in a motor vehicle using a start-stop device, the method comprising the acts of: automatically turning off the internal-combustion engine if the motor vehicle is braked to a stop by operation of a brake pedal and is held at the stop for a predefined time interval; within the predefined time interval after the vehicle reaches the stop, preventing the automatic turning-off of the internal-combustion engine upon a release of the brake pedal within the predefined time interval; and holding the vehicle at the stop via a holding function automatically activatable in a stopped position, the holding act being carried out in response to the release of the brake pedal within the predefined time interval or a release of the brake pedal after the predefined time interval elapsed, in the event that the internal-combustion engine was automatically turned off after the predefined time interval elapsed, deactivating the holding function when the internal-combustion engine is automatically turned on.