the rotational speed in the event of undershooting the predetermined threshold value n dif max it is assumed that the increase in the drive torque does not lead to a load change and the method returns to step 2 in step 7 the operating state of the internal combustion engine is determined by measuring the rotational speed n the change in the rotational speed n dif the throttle valve position u03b1 dk1 the change in the throttle valve position u03b1 u2032 dk1 the air mass m l the air temperature t l the coolant temperature t km the vehicle speed v and the transmission ratio are measured in step 8 the parameters u03b4t tot u03b4t wirk u03b4t rel and u03b4 u03c6 of the ignition angle adjustment are calculated the physical importance of which is clear from the ignition angle profile illustrated in fig2 after a load change the calculation of the individual control parameters for the ignition angle control is carried out here in each case as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine by the parameter value being read out from a multidimensional characteristic diagram one parameter for the ignition angle adjustment is in this case the idle time u03b4t tot which after a detected load change is first passed before.