A method for operating a motor vehicle having a drive unit (1), a transmission (2), and a driven end (3), where the transmission (2) is an automatic gearbox connected between the driven end (3) and the drive unit (1), and where the transmission (2) has a plurality of shift elements (4). The method includes implementing a downshift from an actual gear into a target gear in the transmission (2) originating from a coasting condition of the motor vehicle by disengaging at least one previously engaged shift element (4) and engaging at least one previously disengaged shift element (4). Additionally, the method includes applying a brake torque at the driven end (3) by a vehicle brake (5), the brake torque depending on the thrust torque present at the driven end (3) before implementing the downshift.