A method for the selection and for the actuation of a display on a display device of an interactive operator control apparatus in a motor vehicle, wherein in each case a display subdivided on the display device into subareas (A n) is assigned to specific operating modes of the interactive operator control apparatus, which are provided within an infotainment system of the motor vehicle, characterized in that • on the display device at least two subareas (A n) with at least two different display modes (M n) within the respective operating mode of the interactive operator control apparatus can be called up separately, wherein • the total surface area of the display device is divided in the respective operating mode into the at least two subareas (A n) and the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are output to the user in each of the subareas (A n), • which differ in respect to the color and/or the contrast and/or their shape and/or in the type of representation of the representations and/or figures and/or the symbols generated, and • the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are generated with their subareas (A n) on a total surface area of the display device, wherein the display of the respective operating mode is output in its totality in the different types of display modes (M n), or • the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are generated with their subareas (A n) on a total surface area of the display device, wherein the display of the respective operating mode is output in its totality in the respective display modes (M n) on in each case one of the subareas (A n), • wherein the user after the output by interactive actuation of one of the proposed display modes (M n) makes a selection for the subsequent, desired characteristic display on the total surface area of the display device, wherein • the selected display modes (M n) are automatically output upon each change from one operating mode to another. • on the display device at least two subareas (A n) with at least two different display modes (M n) within the respective operating mode of the interactive operator control apparatus can be called up separately, wherein • the total surface area of the display device is divided in the respective operating mode into the at least two subareas (A n) and the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are output to the user in each of the subareas (A n), • which differ in respect to the color and/or the contrast and/or their shape and/or in the type of representation of the representations and/or figures and/or the symbols generated, and • the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are generated with their subareas (A n) on a total surface area of the display device, wherein the display of the respective operating mode is output in its totality in the different types of display modes (M n), or • the at least two different types of display modes (M n) are generated with their subareas (A n) on a total surface area of the display device, wherein the display of the respective operating mode is output in its totality in the respective display modes (M n) on in each case one of the subareas (A n), • wherein the user after the output by interactive actuation of one of the proposed display modes (M n) makes a selection for the subsequent, desired characteristic display on the total surface area of the display device, wherein • the selected display modes (M n) are automatically output upon each change from one operating mode to another.