The invention relates to a method for adjusting a volumetric flow-variable positive displacement pump in an internal combustion engine involving the following method steps: operating the positive displacement pump; delivering the fluid to the consumption points in the internal combustion engine; determining at least one characteristic value of the internal combustion engine; forwarding this characteristic value as an actual value signal to a control device; comparing the actual value signal with a predetermined set-point value; preparing an actuating signal from the difference between the actual signal and the set-point value; feeding the actuating signal to an actuator; using the actuator to alter the volumetric flow of the positive displacement according to the actuating signal; repeating the method steps until the actual value signal is equal to the set-point value.