Our Fusion Hybrid has a Valet Mode that allows you to limit functionality on the navigation system when handing the car over to a valet. When in Valet Mode, you need to enter a PIN code to get full use of the nav system. The thinking behind this is that since you've likely got a lot of personal destinations saved in your nav, this feature can keep your home address, for example, private.
Now if only they could come up with a feature that prevents valet-induced dents and dings.
Do any of you have a car with Valet Mode? Do you remember to use it when handing over the keys?
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 11,198 miles
hybris says:
05:50 PM, 01/18/11
The two times I have been to place or event that had Valet service they outright refused to park my truck due to the risk of damage to other people's cars. So no I don't have Valet Mode just Park It Myself Mode or PIM Mode.
vt8919 says:
05:53 PM, 01/18/11
Both my cars, when new, used to come with a "valet key" that accompanied the "master key" (which worked with everything) and would only work for the door locks and the ignition. It did not work with the trunk or glove box. Unfortunately because our cars were bought used we only have master keys.
Our '99 Camry even has a feature where you can lock the back seats from inside the trunk. That way, the valet or whomever has your key cannot access the trunk from the folding rear seats (who cannot open the trunk with the valet key).
Personally the only time I ever hand my key to anyone is if a family member needs to run out to the car for a second or I'm having my oil changed by a mechanic I trust. I never go anywhere that has a valet anyways.
church123 says:
05:54 PM, 01/18/11
Yep, I've got a self programmed valet mode on my G37. Maximum throttle of 40%, maximum speed of 40 mph and maximum engine speed of 3000 rpm. Savvy Nissan/Infiniti owners know how this is enabled/switched, but most valet's probably don't so I won't say here.
A determined valet could easily get in trouble even with those settings, but it gives me a little piece of mind.
Oh yeah, I also have econ mode, launch control and a no-start mode for airport parking.
church123 says:
05:56 PM, 01/18/11
Wow, sorry for the bad spelling/grammar in my last post. Valets not valet's and peace not piece. Sheesh!
silverstang1 says:
06:03 PM, 01/18/11
^ would be nice to have an edit feature huh? ;) lol
leescott says:
06:42 PM, 01/18/11
@church123, where can I find more info on this Nissan valet mode. Would love to enable that on my '09 Maxima.
pontneuf2503 says:
07:02 PM, 01/18/11
My '10 Range Rover Sport has a valet mode for precisely the same purposes (although I've yet to actually use it), and my E90 330xi came with a "valet fob" that limits the functionality of the car.
A great idea in concept, but I'm not sure it's widely used by those who have it.
church123 says:
07:14 PM, 01/18/11
Find a local dealer/tuner for Uprev. It is an ECU tuning tool that allows multiple tuning maps on your factory engine control system. I'm a dealer/tuner in the SoCal area and there are some in almost every state.
You can also order direct from the company (www.uprev.com) and play with it yourself, but if you're not tech savvy its best to let a pro do the changes.
bc1960 says:
07:37 PM, 01/18/11
It seems like the FoMoCo "My Key" system, which postdates your Fusion, could be used for valets as well as teenagers and provide even more restrictions.
jfold says:
07:55 PM, 01/18/11
I really wish my FFH had this feature given the wide array of options offering valet in the Detroit Metro area. Features like Valet mode and MyKey sound like good ideas but do they really have a practical purpose for the average driver? I couldn't imagine ever using valet mode. Don't get me wrong I love my Fusion, but it doesn't exactly scream "money bags". I suppose this might be akin to keeping someone from looking in your medicine cabinet. It seems to me that most people you would allow to drive your car such as a mechanic would have access to your home address anyway. Are valets so hard up they need to look in your nav system to get addresses to rob? It seems like a stretch to me. I guess this would have some use if say one didn't want wifey to know about your afternoon tryst at a no-tel-motel in a nearby town.
carguy622 says:
08:21 PM, 01/18/11
My Acura doesn't have a valet mode per say, I just have it set-up so you need to enter a PIN to access my home address and personal address book.
nelsonlu says:
09:13 PM, 01/18/11
So far, I have never handed my Fusion Hybrid to a valet for its 48K miles. So no, no valet mode yet.
leescott says:
05:27 AM, 01/19/11
@church123, thanks!
bemanix88 says:
06:39 AM, 01/19/11
That's a very high-resolution screen! I'm impressed.
gbech says:
07:54 AM, 01/19/11
My 2011 Ford Mustang GT has a "MY KEY" feature that limits top speed which is fabulous for the valet situation
felonious says:
09:27 AM, 01/19/11
I hardly ever hand over the keys to the Flex, but when I have to I always use Valet Mode. After having items stolen from a previous vehicle when it was in a body shop, I'm pretty paranoid about other people accessing my vehicle. I also remove the change holder and all expensive items in the glove box and console.
cjasis says:
09:59 AM, 01/20/11
After suffering personal damage to one of my cars and witnessing several other instances of idiotic behaviour or damage done to other cars, I haven't used valet parking in more than a decade for a personal car. I've used it with rental cars when I'm travelling but don't care about those vehicles.
Valet parking here in S. Ca is a joke anyway.
funyuns101 says:
11:00 AM, 01/20/11
that's a pretty neat feature, although many would say to not put your home address (set it as a nearby addy) in there just in case.
would nice to see a way to limit power on sports cars in valet-mode to prevent hooligan-ism~
ndallas40 says:
04:01 PM, 02/20/11
Having been a valet parking attendant many years ago at a downtown Dallas hotel, I would never, ever valet park my own vehicle nor would I advise anyone else to. I will not bore you with my reasons, other than to say go to You Tube and search "valet parking".
Also, most valet parkers would be trying to figure out how to start the "engine" on my hybrid for days.