A method for optimizing the operating and combustion processes of a diesel engine with common rail injection and a turbocharger includes injecting fuel into each combustion chamber of the diesel engine by a main injection and a post-injection which follows the main injection and controlling a start time and a quantity of the post-injection as a function of an end of the main injection and as a function of operating parameters of the diesel engine using an electronic engine control unit and an input-output map stored in the electronic engine control unit. The post-injection is initiated at a point 30 180.degree. of rotation of a crankshaft of the diesel engine after the end of the main injection, and the quantity of the post-injection is adjusted to 20 30% of a quantity of the main injection.