All-wheel drive system interaction with fuel-saving operation of an automotive vehicle

A method for controlling a vehicle powertrain operation comprises activating a four-wheel drive or 4x4 mode, if one of the ambient conditions, vehicle usage state and electric state of the vehicle exceeds a corresponding reference, deactivating a fuel saving operation, if four-wheel drive or 4x4 mode is activated, the activation of a fuel saving operation if none of these conditions indicates the need for an AWD / 4x4-operation, disabling all-wheel drive or 4x4 mode, if a fuel saving mode is activated.