Method and apparatus to control the fuel injection amount of an auto-ignition engine

Method for controlling a diesel engine, whereby based on operating parameters an operating limit is preset. The fuel amount to be injected is limited so that the preset operating limit is maintained. A correction to the operating limit is made based on a comparison of the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas measured with a lambda probe and the theoretical oxygen amount. As an alternative to fuel injection regulation the engine torque can be limited to a maximum value. An Independent claim is made for a device for setting a correction value for an operating limit based on measured oxygen in the exhaust compared to the set value. The invention also relates to a corresponding computer program, computer program product and digital storage medium for method implementation.