DE 10 2011 005 320 A1 describes a method for operating a motor vehicle which includes a prime mover, a transmission, and a driven end, wherein the transmission is connected between the prime mover and the driven end. The transmission is an automatic or automated transmission. According to DE 10 2011 005 320 A1, a sailing mode for the motor vehicle is activated depending on at least one operating condition of the motor vehicle and, subsequently thereto, the sailing mode is deactivated depending on at least one operating condition of the motor vehicle. A sailing mode is understood to be an operating mode of the motor vehicle, in which the transmission of tractive force is interrupted in the transmission toward the driven end during operation while the prime mover is running or is idle. In the sailing mode, the prime mover is therefore decoupled from the driven end.
According to DE 10 2011 005 320 A1, the sailing mode is activated, while the motor vehicle is traveling with the internal combustion engine running and coupled to the driven end, when a driver-input torque depending on an actuation of the accelerator pedal by the driver or a traction torque specified by a driver assistance system lies in a defined range for a defined time and when, in addition, the current acceleration or deceleration of the motor vehicle lies in a defined range. Furthermore, DE 10 2011 005 320 A1 discloses various conditions for deactivating a previously activated sailing mode.
DE 10 2010 000 857 A1 describes yet another method for operating a motor vehicle. Disclosed in this prior art are details of a shift sequence for a gear disengagement during travel and details of a shift sequence for a gear engagement for exiting a sailing mode.
Although methods are already known from the prior art, with the aid of which it is possible to enter a sailing operating mode in a defined manner and, on the other hand, to exit the sailing operating mode in a defined manner, there is a need to improve the operation of the motor vehicle in the sailing mode, in particular in such a way that long waiting times and, optionally, an uncomfortable gear disengagement when exiting the sailing mode are avoided.