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 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 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. <EOS>