Device for operating a motor vehicle without a key

A device according to the present invention is proposed for the keyless operation of a motor vehicle (8), having a transponder (14) that sends a code to at least one transceiver (12). A control unit (10) compares the code to an expected code, and upon agreement, enables at least one component (16, 18) necessary for the operation of the motor vehicle (8), and deactivates it in the shutdown state of the motor vehicle (8). A timer (T2, T3) is provided, whose output value is compared to a specifiable time duration (t2, t3), the at least one component (16, 18) necessary for the operation of the motor vehicle (8) being deactivated when the output value of the timer (T2, T3) exceeds the specifiable time duration (t2, t3).