Method for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle

The engine is operated in a first mode, dependent upon air volume supplied to the combustion chamber (1), and a second mode, dependent upon fuel volume (Tl) supplied into the chamber. During transition from first to second operating mode, the ignition point (ZW) is adapted and/or filtered to result in even transition. Ignition point for first operating mode is adapted using a correction value. This is dependent upon the differential between reference and actual intake pipe pressures.