Patent ID: 7798270

Claim:
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 in which the internal combustion engine is operated at a first speed; providing a second operating mode in which the internal combustion engine is operated at a second speed higher than the first speed; determining an imminent specific driving situation, based upon at least one of a previous driver behavior in controlling the motor vehicle and a behavior of the motor vehicle in advance, via a driving situation detection device of the vehicle, wherein the driving situation detection device factors into consideration an identity of a current driver based on a vehicle key being used in the vehicle, and the current driver's previous driving behavior; 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.