1. A method for setting a gear ratio of a transmission in a drive train of a motor vehicle while at least one of a distance control system and a vehicle-speed control system is activated, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a setpoint variable during an activation of the at least one of the distance control system and the vehicle-speed control system, an engine of the motor vehicle being controllable as a function of the set point variable; limiting at least one of the setpoint variable and a derived value of the setpoint variable to provide at least one of a limited setpoint variable and a limited derived value; and setting a gear ratio as a function of one of (i) the at least one of the limited setpoint variable and the limited derived value in response to a first operating state, (ii) the at least one of the setpoint variable and the derived value in response to a second operating state.