Method for operating a combustion engine, control element, combustion engine

The function of the fresh air mass flow detected by an air mass sensor (25) connected to the internal combustion engine (1) is determined, and a cylinder filling of one of the cylinders (6) of the internal combustion engine is determined. During operation of the engine, the pressure in the crank chamber (3) is determined as a function of the detected change of the pressure in the crank chamber, and the determined cylinder charge is corrected. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) control element for controller of internal combustion engine mounted in motor vehicle; and (2) internal combustion engine mounted in motor vehicle.