A method to operate a motor vehicle having a number of wheels is described. The method determines a steering angle for an automotive application. A steering angle δ is estimated using a yaw rate ω, a revolution rate of at least one wheel, a wheelbase L and a characteristic speed of the vehicle vch based on a single-track model. Preferably, the steering angle is calculated using the yaw rate ω, the selected gear i, the wheelbase L, the speed v and the characteristic speed of the vehicle vch according to the formula δ=[ω*i*L*(1+v2/vch2)]/v. An application, such as adaptive light control during turns, that requires knowledge of the steering angle of the motor vehicle is carried out based on an estimated steering angle.