Method and device for control of an auxiliary unit in a motor vehicle

An apparatus for controlling an operable unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a switch connected with the operable unit for selectively operating the unit and discontinuing the operation of the unit;
• a control unit connected with the switch for operating the switch between the operating and discontinuing of operating conditions;
• the control unit including a program which signals performance of the following actions:
• determining whether the operable unit has not been switched on during at least a first time interval;
• determining whether the first time interval falls within or outside a seasonal interval;
• operating the switch switching on the operable unit if it had not been switched on after the first time interval by sending a signal for switching on the operable unit after the first time interval within the seasonal interval, but sending no signal for switching on the operable unit after the first time interval but outside the seasonal interval;
• after passage of a second time interval, automatically operating the switch for switching off the operable unit;
• after switching off the operable unit repeating the preceding steps.