A method for operating a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a prime mover (1), a transmission (2), and a driven end (3), wherein the transmission (2) is an automatic or automated transmission and is connected between the prime mover (1) and the driven end (3). The method includes activating a sailing mode of the motor vehicle depending on at least one operating condition of the motor vehicle; performing a gear select interlock in the transmission (2), while maintaining the sailing mode, when the sailing mode is active; and deactivating the sailing mode is subsequently depending on at least one operating condition of the motor vehicle. The gear select interlock is implemented in the transmission (2) depending on a rotational speed of the prime mover (1) and depending on synchronous speeds of the gears of the transmission (2).