Method for operating a motor vehicle using a longitudinal driver assistance system

A method, comprising:

• operating a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes:
• a vehicle brake,
• an accelerator pedal,
• a long-distance driver assistance system comprising at least one sensor which detects an area in front of the motor vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor has a distance detection limit, and
• a control device which is designed to detect another motor vehicle traveling ahead as a function of sensor information and to output control or regulating commands to one or more vehicle components used for long-distance driving when the driver assistance system is activated and operationally ready, in order to drive the motor vehicle relative to the other motor vehicle traveling ahead, wherein the activated and operationally ready driver assistance system can be deactivated from a control or regulating mode by a driver activity and vice versa;
• upon deactivation of the driver assistance system by driver actuation of the vehicle brake, with no motor vehicle ahead detected within the distance detection limit of the at least one sensor,
• entering into a system standby mode, wherein none of the vehicle components used for long-distance driving are activated, independent of the at least one sensor detecting the area in front of the motor vehicle, and passing sensor information to the control device;
• continuously detecting the area in front of the motor vehicle;
• and
• reactivating the system autonomously, switching to a control or regulating mode, once another motor vehicle traveling ahead is detected and at least a drag deceleration is required to reduce a velocity difference between the operated motor vehicle and the other motor vehicle traveling ahead.