Method and apparatus for exhaust gas temperature control

A method for exhaust gas temperature control system for an internal combustion engine with a device for detecting an exhaust gas temperature (13), a specification of a maximum exhaust gas temperature (12) and a controller for a mixture system with parameters air-fuel ratio and the cylinder charge, characterized in that (when exceeding the predetermined maximum exhaust gas temperature 12) the combustion air ratio to a lower limit value (22) is lowered in the mixture continuously or in several steps and upon reaching this limit (22) the cylinder charge is reduced continuously or in several steps.