Method for running a drive line

A method for operating a powertrain of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• providing a powertrain comprising an automatic transmission disposed between a drive unit and an axle drive, whereby one input shaft of the automatic transmission is connected by means of an operable clutch to the drive unit and an output shaft of the automatic transmission is connected to the axle drive, and whereby the powertrain furthermore comprises a transmission-side, mobile auxiliary drive configured to couple with a transmission-side connection point for the purpose of activating, or respectively, for engaging, and be decoupled with the transmission-side connection point for disengaging, wherein, in order to activate or to engage the transmission-side, mobile auxiliary drive while the motor vehicle is in motion;
• decoupling the transmission-side connection point for the auxiliary drive from the axle drive and at least partially decoupling the transmission-side connection point for the auxiliary drive from the drive unit;
• synchronizing a rotational rate of the transmission-side connection point for the auxiliary drive and a rotational rate of the auxiliary drive, whereby, upon obtaining a synchronous rotational rate between the rotational rate of the connection point for the auxiliary drive and the rotational rate of the auxiliary drive, the auxiliary drive is coupled to the connection point;
• coupling the transmission-side connection point for the auxiliary drive, and thereby the auxiliary drive, to the drive unit as well as the axle drive;
• wherein in order to couple the transmission-side connection point for the auxiliary drive with the axle drive, synchronizing a rotational rate of a gear in the automatic transmission with a rotational rate of the axle drive and engaging the gear, wherein the rotational rate of the axle drive is aligned with the current driving speed.