Method for controlling an internal combustion engine

The engine has 4-stroke cylinders with controlled auto ignition and spark ignition. If misfiring occurs during controlled auto-ignition mode, the cylinder is re-ignited in spark ignition mode during the cycle following that misfiring. The cylinder is operated at moderate load and engine RPM. A considerable amount of residual gas (3) from a cycle preceding the misfiring is returned, so that controlled auto-ignition is initiated. The ignition is switched-off during auto-ignition mode. The fuel/air ratio is adapted, and fuel is injected into the cylinder to ensure that ignition following misfiring is successful.