Method for operating a control device of a motor vehicle, wherein while the motor vehicle is travelling - a charging location at which it is anticipated that an energy store of the motor vehicle will be charged the next time is estimated, and - as a function of a current state of charge of the energy store, a residual range of the motor vehicle is estimated which it is still possible to cover with a current and/or anticipated operating profile of the motor vehicle until a predetermined residual state of charge of the energy store is reached, - it is checked whether the residual range is sufficient to reach the charging location, and - if the residual range is shorter than a distance to the charging location, a respective quantity of electrical power, which is fed to at least one electrically powered vehicle component (11, 16) under the underlying operating profile, is respectively reduced, wherein the overall power reduction which is brought about as a result is only of such a magnitude that the residual state of charge is reached when the charging location is reached, characterised in that based on the current operating profile, an exceptional situation is detected in which a current power consumption of the motor vehicle is greater than an expected value, and independently of the residual range, the power reduction is immediately activated or offered to a user for activation, wherein the exceptional situation is present if a current power consumption of the motor vehicle is greater than an expected value, wherein the expected value is a statistical mean value determined over a predetermined number of journeys of the motor vehicle and/or a predetermined period, and the exceptional situation is defined by the presence of a specific multiple of the expected value. - a charging location at which it is anticipated that an energy store of the motor vehicle will be charged the next time is estimated, and - as a function of a current state of charge of the energy store, a residual range of the motor vehicle is estimated which it is still possible to cover with a current and/or anticipated operating profile of the motor vehicle until a predetermined residual state of charge of the energy store is reached, - it is checked whether the residual range is sufficient to reach the charging location, and - if the residual range is shorter than a distance to the charging location, a respective quantity of electrical power, which is fed to at least one electrically powered vehicle component (11, 16) under the underlying operating profile, is respectively reduced, wherein the overall power reduction which is brought about as a result is only of such a magnitude that the residual state of charge is reached when the charging location is reached, based on the current operating profile, an exceptional situation is detected in which a current power consumption of the motor vehicle is greater than an expected value, and independently of the residual range, the power reduction is immediately activated or offered to a user for activation, wherein the exceptional situation is present if a current power consumption of the motor vehicle is greater than an expected value, wherein the expected value is a statistical mean value determined over a predetermined number of journeys of the motor vehicle and/or a predetermined period, and the exceptional situation is defined by the presence of a specific multiple of the expected value.