Method for controlling the operation of a heatable waste gas sensor of a motor vehicle

The Invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a in a Angaskanal (28) of a motor vehicle arranged, with an internal or external Sensorheizeinrichtung (34) equipped exhaust gas sensor (32), wherein the motor vehicle has a combustion engine (12) and a includes automatic shutdown, which in the presence of at least one Stopping condition an automatic shutoff of the internal combustion engine (12) causes.It is provided that(A) after an automatic Shutdown of the engine (12) through the automatic shutdown a first future Time (t3) is determined at which the exhaust gas temperature (T_AG) below a condensation temperature (T_AGmin) in the exhaust duct (28) is below which a precipitation of condensate from the exhaust gas is possible,(B) a second time (t1) is determined at which a heating power be the Sensorheizeinrichtung (34) is interrupted or reduced must ensure that at least for the first future Time (t3), a sensor temperature (T_LS) of the exhaust gas sensor (32) to a maximum permissible Sensor temperature (T_LSmax) will be dropped, and(C) Reaching the second time point (t1) the heat output of Sensorheizeinrichtung (34) is interrupted or reduced.