A method controls a climate control system in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying climate control information on a primary display, determining that a hand is approaching a manual control element for the climate control system, and displaying climate control information on a secondary display while the hand is approaching the manual control element, before the hand touches the manual control element, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the occupant of the vehicle when it is needed, before the climate control system is adjusted.