A method for operating a motor vehicle including a drive mechanism having at least a first drive unit and at least a second drive unit is provided. The method includes providing a drive torque directed at the driving of the motor vehicle in a first setting of the drive mechanism only by means of the second drive unit and in a second setting by means of both drive units, wherein upon exceeding a start-up threshold value by a demanded preset power there is a switching from the first setting to the second setting, and upon falling below a shut-off threshold value by the demanded preset power there is a switching from the second setting to the first setting. It is provided that the start-up threshold value and/or the shut-off threshold value is determined in dependence on a driving resistance of the motor vehicle and/or a vehicle weight of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle employing the method is also provided.