The invention relates to a method for actuating a control valve (3) which is arranged in a hydraulic braking system of a motor vehicle, wherein the control valve (3) is opened by creating an electrical signal having different actuating phases (tV, tH, tR) having different current strengths. According to the invention, the thermal load and the noise emission of the valve can be significantly improved if the length of the actuation phases are adapted for the pre-stage or the holding phases are variably adapted to the driving situation.