A method for the advance determination of an overload of an automatically actuated clutch of a vehicle during a slippage phase and to prevent the overload. The method determines the energy introduced into the clutch during a predetermined first time span of the slippage phase and/or acquires the current temperature of the clutch and, on the basis of the anticipated second time span of the slippage phase, determines the anticipated energy introduction into the clutch and/or the anticipated clutch temperature and, as a function of the anticipated energy introduction and/or the anticipated clutch temperature, takes measures to prevent the overload.