The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train. During travel, the clutch is controlled with excess contact pressure such that the transmissible moment of the clutch exceeds the engine torque by a predetermined amount. At low speeds or in low gears and/or when travelling slowly, the amount of excess contact pressure is considerably reduced. At high speeds or in high gears and/or at when travelling fast, the clutch is set at the maximum transmissible moment.