Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, which comprises a high-voltage on-board electrical system and a low-voltage on-board electrical system, which are connected by means of a DC-to-DC converter. The high-voltage on-board electrical system is connected to a battery via a switching circuit, and an electromotive main drive is fed by means of the high-voltage on-board electrical system. An electrical contacting of the battery with the high-voltage on-board electrical system is terminated by means of the switching circuit, and the main drive is operated as a generator, such that electrical energy is fed into the high-voltage on-board electrical system, by means of which electrical energy the low-voltage on-board electrical system is fed via the DC-to-DC converter.