Method for controlling a display device of a motor vehicle

A method for controlling a display device of a motor vehicle for displaying an item of environmental information relating to an environment of the motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• detecting the item of environmental information with a detection device, said detection device having a detection range which defines a direction of detection of the item of environmental information;
• assigning to the item of environmental information at least one item of directional information which describes one of the direction of detection, and a direction to an object described by the environmental information, said direction to the object being defined in relation to a reference point inside the motor vehicle;
• and
• activating the display device for displaying the environmental information, wherein the display device extends over at least one angular range defining a horizontal plane, wherein the display device is activated in a sub-range of the angular range, and wherein the sub-range is assigned to the directional information.