A method for purifying the exhaust gas of a diesel engine using a diesel oxidation catalyst

The invention relates to a method and a device for purifying the exhaust gas of a modern diesel engine using a diesel oxidation catalyst. In the low load range such diesel engines have an exhaust gas temperature may be below the light-off temperature of the oxidation catalyst. This results in an insufficient conversion of harmful substances during operating phases of the diesel engine at low loads and sooting of the catalyst. The inventive method solves the problem, inter alia, that is increased to at least this minimum temperature during operating phases of the engine with a low load and low exhaust gas temperature, which is less than a minimum temperature, the catalyst temperature, wherein the minimum temperature of the catalyst ensures adequate pollutant conversion.