labeling - Set scale level of background map (QGIS)

Is there a way to set the scale of the background map in QGIS? I'm importing a background map from MapQuest via the OpenLayers plugin. I'm creating an overview Map of a whole city, so it is not necessary (and even not wanted) to have named the small roads, which can't even be read when it is exported/printed on DIN A4.

Is there a way to tell QGIS it should take the view of the higher zoom level (where only motorways are labelled)?