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 (A) 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 (S) 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 (A) 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 (A) 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 (A) 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 (A) 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 (S) 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 (A) 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 (A) 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 (A) of the display device , wherein • the selected display modes (M n ) are automatically output upon each change from one operating mode to another. <EOS>