A method of operating a vehicle, especially a commercial vehicle

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, especially a commercial vehicle, the vehicle having an internal combustion engine (3) and a having the internal combustion engine (3) coupled to the exhaust line (23), wherein a temperature detection means (29) is provided, by means of the the temperature of the exhaust line (23) and / or by the exhaust gas line (23) flowing exhaust gas (25) can be detected, at least one means of the internal combustion engine (3) driven electric machine (17) is provided which is generated by means of electrical energy, and wherein the driven electric machine (17) acts on the internal combustion engine (3) with a braking power. According to the invention a regulating and / or control device (31) is provided by means of which, in particular for increasing the temperature of the exhaust line (23), the electric machine (17) and the internal combustion engine (3) at at least one defined operating situation of the vehicle (1) be automatically controlled and / or controlled such that, if the at least one sensed temperature falls below at least one defined temperature threshold (tlimit), the braking power of the electric machine is increased by a defined power value (Pdef.), and that with an increase in the braking power to the defined power value (Pdef.) the driving power of the internal combustion engine (3) also to the defined power value (Pdef.) is increased.