Method for using a control device in different data transmission systems (30; 40), in particular in different data transmission systems (30; 40) in vehicles, the control device comprising a database which stores a set of configuration data records (KD1; KD2; KD3; KD4; MKD), comprising the steps of: a) starting the control device which is connected to a data transmission system (30; 40) selected from a multiplicity of data transmission systems; b) establishing data transmission between the selected data transmission system (30; 40) and the control device by initializing a configuration data record from the set of configuration data records (KD1; KD2; KD3; KD4; MKD) in the control device, characterized by c) checking the initialized configuration data record, the control device receiving validation data (VD; VD1) relating to the selected data transmission system (30; 40) and comparing said data with previously determined data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD) stored in a memory of the control device; d) validating the initialized configuration data record if it is determined, in step c), that the received validation data (VD, VD1) match the data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD); e) storing a minimum configuration data record in a memory of the control device and defining the minimum configuration data record as the configuration data record to be initiated if a difference between the received validation data (VD, VD1) and the data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD) is determined in step c), a minimum data transmission mode of the control device being started when initializing the minimum configuration data record, diagnostic data transmission being carried out and/or an error message being output in the minimum data transmission mode, and/or data transmission being carried out inside the data transmission system (30; 40) as if the control device were not installed. a) starting the control device which is connected to a data transmission system (30; 40) selected from a multiplicity of data transmission systems; b) establishing data transmission between the selected data transmission system (30; 40) and the control device by initializing a configuration data record from the set of configuration data records (KD1; KD2; KD3; KD4; MKD) in the control device, characterized by c) checking the initialized configuration data record, the control device receiving validation data (VD; VD1) relating to the selected data transmission system (30; 40) and comparing said data with previously determined data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD) stored in a memory of the control device; d) validating the initialized configuration data record if it is determined, in step c), that the received validation data (VD, VD1) match the data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD); e) storing a minimum configuration data record in a memory of the control device and defining the minimum configuration data record as the configuration data record to be initiated if a difference between the received validation data (VD, VD1) and the data transmission system-specific validation data (dsVD) is determined in step c), a minimum data transmission mode of the control device being started when initializing the minimum configuration data record, diagnostic data transmission being carried out and/or an error message being output in the minimum data transmission mode, and/or data transmission being carried out inside the data transmission system (30; 40) as if the control device were not installed.