Method and control apparatus for operating a transmission of a motor vehicle

A method for operating a transmission (2) arranged in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive aggregate (1) and a drive output (14), the method comprising:

• providing the transmission (2) comprising
• a hydrodynamic starting element (15, 18);
• a powershiftable main transmission (2a) having a plurality of forward gears, at least one reversing gear, and a plurality of frictional shifting elements (9, 10, 11, 12, 13), wherein in each gear a first number of shifting elements are closed and a second number of shifting elements are open;
• and
• a downstream range group (2b) connected downstream from the main transmission (2a), the downstream range group comprising at least one interlocking shifting element (24, 27) and configured be shifted between a first driving range, a second driving range, and a neutral position;
• running the drive aggregate (1) with the motor vehicle at a standstill or in a speed range close to standstill and with the main transmission (2a) in neutral;
• receiving a shift request to change the downstream range group (2b);
• partially closing the shifting elements (9, 10, 12) of a reversing gear in the main transmission (2a);
• and
• subsequently changing the driving range of the downstream range group (2b).