That's actually the point of the keyless system. You put whatever you want into the glovebox, lock it, and then keep the actual physical key while giving him only the fob.

Read page 2-31 of your owners manual, and put the car into valet mode.

 

Gina,


What specifically are you trying to accomplish and/or protect?


As pointed out if you are worried about things being taken from your car...you can lock them in the glove box as suggested above and take that physical key with you and only giving up the FOB for the valet to drive/move and lock your car.


The valet driver needs a key/FOB to drive/move the car just as they would to drive/move your car with a traditional keyed ignition system.


I guess I'm missing what you are trying to accomplish and/or protect when you valet park...sorry.


Joe.

 

I did read the valet mode section and it is not clear as to why I would disarm the alarm - how is that "valet mode?" Especially considering the valet has the fob and if the alarm gets tripped, the valet has the ability to shut it off? This led me to the incorrect conclusion that the valet is not given the fob. My concern is not valuables in my car, it's the car itself. I was trying to figure out how the valet can lock the car without the fob.

That you both informed me to give the fob to the valet makes perfect sense. The OM leaves a lot to be desired.

I still have no idea as to why disarming the alarm is considered "valet mode." Basically there is no valet mode.
Thanks,
Gina

 

Gina,


I too am confused by the term "valet mode" with keyless entry/start like we have.


I think I can sort of understand it with the traditional keyed systems where people could disable the alarm and simply hand the valet the actual key to use to start, lock, etc. the car and not have to give them the alarm fob. But with the key FOB like we have...I'm not getting the true use of "valet" either...perhaps one of the folks can explain it to both of us...LOL


To be honest...if you are concerned about the FOB (with good reasons as they are expensive)...I think but I think if you leave the car running and you get OUT at the valet stand and keep the FOB with you the valet would be able to drive the car to the parking spot and push the button to STOP the car and use the manual on the door buttons to LOCK the car. When you come back that is when the valet would NEED the FOB to go unlock (well they could use the valet key) but unlock and START the car to bring it back to you.


My wife typically keeps the FOB in her purse...she'll get OUT of the car as I drop her off at the door and walks in while I park. While the car will "chime at you" that the key is not within the car...you can still drive it away. But before you push that button to turn it off...you better have all windows up, etc. because you can NOT restart it since you don't have the key FOB.


So...I think this would work for you if you didn't want to give up the FOB initially...but the problem may be at the valet how do they identify your car as they typically wrap the corresponding ticket to the keys...


Hope this helps.


Joe.

 

I've always just gotten out of the car and told the valet or car wash attendant "it's push button start, the key is in the cupholder" and gone about my business. I don't keep anything of significant value in the car, and our CO registrations no longer list home addresses. There's always the option to lock anything of value in the glove box and then extract the mechanical key and take it with you.

I've never taken the fob or even really thought about it. But you make a good point. It's certainly possible that someone could drop it or lose it or damage it.

 

Search pulled up this old thread and I see others are confused also. Has anyone figured out a purpose for "Valet Mode" with push button start?