Disclosed is a method for operating a multi-gear vehicle transmission having a plurality of shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) for engaging the gears of the vehicle transmission, where, in a neutral gear an input (AN) and an output (AB) of the vehicle transmission are decoupled from one another, and where, in a driving gear the input (AN) and the output (AB) of the vehicle transmission are coupled to one another in order to propel the vehicle, by closing at least one shifting element (B). When the neutral gear is engaged, at least an actuation condition of a vehicle brake (11) and a transmission condition with elevated drag losses are detected, where, when the neutral gear is engaged, the shifting element (B) for the driving gear is vented if it is recognized that the vehicle brake (11) has been released and the transmission condition with elevated drag losses pertains.