How do I use the valet key?

[Patty Winter]

I'm going to an event soon that will have valet parking. I don't
really mind giving them my main keyring, but just for kicks, I
thought I'd try out my Outback's valet key. Except I can't figure
out how to use it; it won't go in the ignition.

I found a section of the owner's manual that talks about valet
*mode*. Do I have to put the car in valet mode in order to use
the valet key? Valet mode disables the alarm on the car. (I didn't
buy an alarm system, but I guess the car will honk its horn if
someone tries to open the door with a key that doesn't have the
right transponder in it, yes?) So if I want to use the valet key,
do I have to disable the alarm, then re-enable it afterwards?


Patty

[Travis Bickle]

Let me see if I've got this right.

You're OK with turning your keys over to a bunch of minimum wage (or
working for tips only) low-lifes that will look at the paperwork in your
glove box to find your address so they know where to go to do the
burglary (or worse) using the duplicate house key they made while you
were dining, drinking and dancing?

Why don't you save some time and just go ahead and file the Victim Who
Brought it on Herself form with the local cops right now....

--
The grass isn't greener on the other side; it's greener where you water it.

[VanguardLH]

Patty Winter wrote:

> I'm going to an event soon that will have valet parking. I don't
> really mind giving them my main keyring, but just for kicks, I
> thought I'd try out my Outback's valet key. Except I can't figure
> out how to use it; it won't go in the ignition.

Get one of these:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lucky-Line-Quick-Release-Pull-Apart-Key-Chain/38470916
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lucky-Line-3-Way-Pull-Apart-Key-Chain/38470505

Personally I find prying apart the ends of a keyring and sliding off the
car key is easy enough for those few times when needed, like when I take
the car into the shop or dealer. In fact, I moved away from a rigid key
ring to using:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/6-Cable-Key-Ring/16652510

It's flexible so my keys are more comfortable in my pocket. You unscrew
the connector; however, the key hole may be too small for the larger
(outer) connector so put the car key on last so it slides off the little
(inner) connector rather than have to slide off a whole bunch of keys.

We don't know what year of car you have, just some Outback. If you have
a separate keyring fob remote, you don't want to give that to them. You
use the fob to disable the alarm (aka valet mode) and then hand them
just the key. Upon returning to your vehicle, you use the remote again
but to reenable the alarm (aka disable valet mode).

If you have a newer model that has the remote built onto the key then
you're stuck giving them all the remoted controls to your vehicle in
which case it doesn't really matter if you disable the alarm or not as
they have your remote to turn off the alarm should it go off.

Just don't hand them over ALL your keys. Give them just the car key
(and without the remote if it is a separate fob -- but if it is then
disable the alarm before leaving your car with them).

> I found a section of the owner's manual that talks about valet
> *mode*. Do I have to put the car in valet mode in order to use
> the valet key? Valet mode disables the alarm on the car. (I didn't
> buy an alarm system, but I guess the car will honk its horn if
> someone tries to open the door with a key that doesn't have the
> right transponder in it, yes?) So if I want to use the valet key,
> do I have to disable the alarm, then re-enable it afterwards?

Don't expect some car jockey to know the ins and outs of every vehicle
they park. Disabling the alarm is merely so they don't set it off and
it goes indefinitely beeping in the car lot causing them problems and
nuisancing everyone around. Yep, your alarm will be disabled. That's
all valet mode means: disable the alarm.

This is like leaving to go on a vacation while you have someone come in
during that time to feed your pets. Rather than give the code to the
caregiver (which means you'll have to change it upon your return), you
disable the alarm while on vacation so the caregiver doesn't set it off,
get flustered over how to turn off the noise, have the cops show up, and
irritate your neighbors.

Don't ask me why the car manufacturers called it valet mode instead of
just alarm disable. I think valet mode harkens from the old days when
you had 2 keys: one for everything (doors, trunk, and glove box) and
another that only did doors (no truck or glove box access but you had to
make sure to lock them before handing off your car).

[Patty Winter]

In article <1sb4tmgr1drwr$.dlg@v.nguard.lh>,

VanguardLH <inv...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
>We don't know what year of car you have, just some Outback.

2013. Have things changed in recent years?

>If you have
>a separate keyring fob remote, you don't want to give that to them. You
>use the fob to disable the alarm (aka valet mode) and then hand them
>just the key. Upon returning to your vehicle, you use the remote again
>but to reenable the alarm (aka disable valet mode).

Separate from what? My normal Outback key has buttons to push to lock
and unlock the car. I think some Subaru models have additional remote
features, but mine doesn't.

So I have to go through the procedure to disable the alarm before the
valet key will go into the ignition?


Patty

[dsi1]

My friend's car has two key fobs. A regular one and another that limits the power to 500HP. That's the one you give to your wife. You can also put the car into valet mode by punching in a code on to the dash screen. This restricts the power even more and disables first gear. I'm still waiting for him to give me a ride in that damn car!

[Frank]

This whole thing is weird. I carry the valet key in my wallet in case I
lose my keys but if I'm reading correctly you have to set the car in
valet mode to get the valet key to work which if you need the master key
to set in valet mode, it sounds like carrying the valet key in case you
lose the master key is useless.

[VanguardLH]

Patty doesn't have a valet key. She has a secondary remoted key: it has
the door lock/open buttons so it has a battery, circuitry, and a chip.

A true valet key doesn't have any of that. It's just a flat key (but
might have a thick head). So with the key that Patty has, she doesn't
have to disable the alarm. Her "valet" key has the remote buttons that
will unlock the door and let them open without setting off the alarm.

A true valet key lets you start the car, drive the car, and open/lock
the car door *manually*. That's all the valet need. However, disabling
the alarm means it won't go off if you happen to use your remoted key to
lock the doors and then give the non-remoted (valet) key to the valet.
If the doors were locked using the remoted key, open the doors with a
non-remoted key means the alarm goes off. Then the one using the
non-remoted key has to start the car to shut up the alarm.

Note that some cars do not enable the alarm by just pressing the Lock
button once on the remoted key. It may take 2 presses of the Lock
button to both electronically throw the lock mechanism and then enable
the alarm. Alternatively, use the key, any key, manually to lock the
door(s). That will throw the lock mechanism but not engage the alarm.

"Except I can't figure out how to use it; it won't go in the ignition."

I starting to wonder if Patty got a key that isn't for her car. The
non-remoted (valet) key should fit into the ignition switch.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/ob10keys1.JPG

Those all go into the ignition switch and also the door locks for manual
operation of the vehicle. It may not fit into the glove box lock. It
may also not work for the hatchback door (but then in an Outlook there
is no separate trunk space).

[Patty Winter]

In article <6jo73knhqo6x$.dlg@v.nguard.lh>,

VanguardLH <inv...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
>Patty doesn't have a valet key. She has a secondary remoted key: it has
>the door lock/open buttons so it has a battery, circuitry, and a chip.

I do have a spare real key, but in this thread, I'm asking about what
according to the owner's manual is called the valet key.

>A true valet key doesn't have any of that. It's just a flat key (but
>might have a thick head). So with the key that Patty has, she doesn't
>have to disable the alarm. Her "valet" key has the remote buttons that
>will unlock the door and let them open without setting off the alarm.

No, there are NO buttons whatsoever on the valet key.

>A true valet key lets you start the car, drive the car, and open/lock
>the car door *manually*.

Is it possible that the dealer gave me the wrong key? That seems very
unlikely given that my car was brand new and, as far as I recall, all
of the keys came together, along with some ID tags.

>"Except I can't figure out how to use it; it won't go in the ignition."
>
>I starting to wonder if Patty got a key that isn't for her car. The
>non-remoted (valet) key should fit into the ignition switch.
>
>http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/ob10keys1.JPG

Yes, that's exactly what I received: two little metal tags, a key with
a gray top and no buttons, and two keys with black tops and buttons.

>Those all go into the ignition switch and also the door locks for manual
>operation of the vehicle. It may not fit into the glove box lock. It
>may also not work for the hatchback door (but then in an Outlook there
>is no separate trunk space).

According to the owner's manual, the valet key will NOT work with the
glove compartment or rear hatch.


Patty

[VanguardLH]

Patty Winter wrote:

> VanguardLH <inv...@invalid.invalid> wrote:

Just WHO are you citing? Yes, my nym is VanguardLH but what you show
within angle brackets is NOT what I gave as my e-mail address! Either
change your NNTP client (trn) to just show the nym (username) from the
From header without the e-mail address or have it show nym <email> and
not corrupt the identity (nym+email). Would you like me to cite you as
Paddi Cakes <ei...@oldmicky.viagra>?

>> I starting to wonder if Patty got a key that isn't for her car. The
>> non-remoted (valet) key should fit into the ignition switch.
>>
>> http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/ob10keys1.JPG
>
> Yes, that's exactly what I received: two little metal tags, a key with
> a gray top and no buttons, and two keys with black tops and buttons.

I hate those fake valet keys. They don't have a full metal head, just a
tang onto which the fat plastic head attaches. I wanted to carry it as
a spare in my wallet but when I removed the fat plastic head what I was
left with was a guillotined key (it's metal head looked chopped off).
While the guillotined key was usable, I'd have to use a pliers to grab
onto the stub to turn the key.

>> Those all go into the ignition switch and also the door locks for
>> manual operation of the vehicle. It may not fit into the glove box
>> lock. It may also not work for the hatchback door (but then in an
>> Outlook there is no separate trunk space).
>
> According to the owner's manual, the valet key will NOT work with the
> glove compartment or rear hatch.

Valet *mode* (disabling the alarm) can only be toggled using the remoted
keys (the ones with battery and buttons). If you forget to disable the
alarm before handing over your car, the valet will have to start your
car to stop the alarm after they use the valet key to manually open the
door to get inside. You use the remoted key to disable the alarm before
handing over the valet key to the valet.

The valet *key* operates the manual car door locks and the ignition
switch. It won't work on the glove box lock (if you locked it using a
primary/remoted key). It might not work on the hatchback door lock;
however, that area in an Outback is not a separate trunk. Not usable on
the rear door is really only viable for a vehicle with a sedan (and
whose back seats don't fold down).

Valet *mode* refers to the alarm. Valet *key* refers to which locks in
which that key will work.

The valet key you got with your new car should fit the manual car door
locks (perhaps not the rear hatchback door) and the ignition switch. If
the valet key doesn't work in those locks then you got the wrong key.

[John McGaw]

To quote the owner's manual for the 2017 Outback "The valet key fits only
the ignition switch and door locks. You can keep the glove box locked when
you leave your vehicle and valet key at a parking facility."

If you find that the 'valet' key you have won't fit and operate the
ignition (and door lock) then it seems likely that you were given the wrong
key. If I read the manual correctly, 'valet mode' pertains only to the
security system and should have nothing to do with the key fitting or not
fitting.

[Patty Winter]

In article <alXqB.39248$xN2....@fx44.iad>,

John McGaw <Nob...@Nowh.ere> wrote:
>
>To quote the owner's manual for the 2017 Outback "The valet key fits only
>the ignition switch and door locks. You can keep the glove box locked when
>you leave your vehicle and valet key at a parking facility."

Yep, that's what my 2013 owner's manual says, too.

>If you find that the 'valet' key you have won't fit and operate the
>ignition (and door lock) then it seems likely that you were given the wrong
>key. If I read the manual correctly, 'valet mode' pertains only to the
>security system and should have nothing to do with the key fitting or not
>fitting.

I think you're right. Time to call the Subie dealership...


Patty

[Frank]

After writing my comment last night, I went into the garage and tried my
key. It fit and turned on all accessories. I did not try to start the
car as garage door was closed but now I know it would work.

The valet keys apparently do have a chip in them without controls as
when I bought the car I told the saleslady that I might file down the
bulky fob to fit my wallet better but she said it I did it would ruin
the chip.

[VanguardLH]

As per Frank's reply, he said the dealer told him even the valet key has
the proximity chip. That means the valet key will insert into the
ignition switch but the chip must work to start the car. Could be the
chip is coded wrong or inoperable. When the OP said the valet key
wouldn't work to use the car, I had thought it meant the key wouldn't
fit into the ignition switch's slot. It might fit but the chip has to
work. Since the primary/remoted key works which also has a switch, the
matching coils in the ignition switch are working (that power the chip
in the key that has coils to which EMF is induced to power the chip).

Seems something the OP needs to address with the dealer to get the chip
in the valet key correctly coded or have it replaced (should be
warranteed). I haven't looked into how the chips get programmed but I'm
sure an online search will discover that procedure.

[John Varela]

Our family Subaru belongs to my wife and I'm not sure what her valet
key does or even whether she has one. What I can do is tell you how
the valet key for my Infiniti works.

Like yours, the Infiniti valet key does not work the glove
compartment or the trunk. So, when I am going to turn the car over
to a valet, I put anything of value into the glove compartment or
the trunk and lock them with the valet key (actually, that's not
exactly how it works for the trunk, but the effect is the same).

So, when I give the valet key to the valet, he can lock or unlock
the doors and he can run the car to move it around, but he can't get
into the glove compartment or the trunk. That makes perfect sense to
me.

I'll bet that your Subaru works exactly the same way, except that
since yours has a hatchback you can't actually lock the trunk.

--
John Varela

[John Varela]

Is there a way to replace a battery in the valet key? If not, then I
suspect there is no chip. But if the key doesn't work both doors and
ignition then clearly there is something wrong with it.

--
John Varela

[dsi1]

The chip needs no battery. It's powered by a coil next to the ignition lock.

[Frank]

Prompted again to look at my keys, I can see the valet key is shaved in
the front so it should not be able to lift that particular tumbler in
the glove box but using it in ignition, it works so ignition lock must
lack that tumbler.

I don't know if everyone knows how keyed locks work or that you can pick
a lock by twisting the key hole with something smaller than the key
while raking the tumblers with a small pick.

[Frank]

Most credit cards now have chips along with the magnetized strips. The
newer readers use the chips and the older, less secure ones still use
the strip.

[VanguardLH]

There is no battery in the valet key. There are no buttons on the valet
key. There is no remote on the valet key. All the valet key has is a
chip which gets its power via a fluctuating EMF field across a couple of
coils. The ignition key has the other set of coils. When the key
(primary/remoted or valet) is inserted into the ignition switch, the
coils in there will induce current into the key's chip coils to power
the chip in the key.

The battery is only needed for the remoted keys. Those have the remote
(radio) to actuate the electric controls for the door locks.

[VanguardLH]

Raking doesn't work that well. Most times it will undo a pick of one
pin while trying to find the break for another pin. Forget what you see
in the movies. For pin locks, you use one tool to slightly turn the
cylinder. That will catch the edge of the pin breaks (the "pin" is 2
pins: upper and lower of different lengths for each pin to match up with
the cylinder's outer diameter to allow the cylinder to rotate). You
move the pin until its break catches on the outer cylinder edge or the
lock body. When you catch all pin breaks, the cylinder will rotate.
Sometimes you have to feel which breaks will catch before the others.

Raking only looks good in the movies (but then the pins have already
been removed so the cylinder will rotate with just a screwdriver).
Raking results in moving a pin whose break you already managed to snap.
Pins do NOT catch their breaks from rear to front or visa versa. You
have to individually catch the break of each pin which could be any
order of the pins. Raking works only with very cheap locks, especially
the ones where the pin breaks have been rounded instead of square.
Rounded breaks are less accurate. You need to be able to feel when the
pin's break catches the cylinder edge. There is wobble in the pins
(they are smaller than the hole so they will easily move). Some locks
will use angled pin ends making it tougher for you to move the pin up
and down to catch its break. What I have seen in the movies that can
work reasonably well are the snap tools. You still need the separate
tool to apply rotational pressure on the cylinder to catch the pin
breaks. The snap tool slaps the pins and you try to catch their breaks
on either the snap up or down (there are springs atop the pins to bring
them down into the cylinder).

Round-key locks are tougher to pick. There is a tool that basically has
a flexible strip for each pin. You extend the foil to move the pin to
catch its break, then move onto the next pin in the circular
arrangement. The round key has half circle engravings for each pin
which are different heights. So you're still pushing the pins to get
their break to match with the cylinder's outer diameter. With rounded
key locks, you have to feel the catch on each pin break and then keep
the tool aligned to maintain that break distance while working on the
next pin. Some of the rounded key locks have an emergency pin lock on
the backside that is easier to pick.

Pin locks are easier to pick than wafer locks. Instead of pins, a flat
wafer replaces each pins. Those are the types you find in car door
locks.

No, I'm not a locksmith but it was a hobby for me for awhile.

[VanguardLH]

More info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transponder_car_key
http://www.locksmithchico.com/transponder%20keys.htm
http://united-locksmith.net/auto-locksmith/transponder-key-programming

[John Varela]

WHOA!

I garbled that. After locking the glove compartment with the valet
key, I put that key in my pocket (it's on a ring with the house
keys) and give the attendant the keyless fob. It is the keyless fob
that cannot unlock the glove compartment or trunk. There is a switch
inside the glove compartment that disables the ability of the
dashboard switch and the keyless fob to unlock the trunk.

--
John Varela

[Frank]

I agree, but it is neat to know. I can open a cheap lock to a gun
cabinet but could not open my front door lock.

I believe they sell devices that aid greatly in lock picking but doubt
if they would be any good for a newer car that also requires a chip.

I had a '69 Comaro whose lock got so worn that it did not even need a
key to start, just twist the key knob.

[VanguardLH]

> but doubt if they would be any good for a newer car that also requires
> a chip.

Well, there has to be some electronic workaround for remote starters to
work. No one is leaving their key in the ignition, even in a locked
car, so they can start their car remotely.

[Frank]

Thieves can be resourceful but numerous cars are stolen with keys in
ignition and even motor running. Thief sometimes he has a child in the
back seat. Thief and parent should both be arrested.

It was a stolen 10 year old Mazda in 1998 that led to my first Subaru.
Wife had parked it in a mall lot under a street light locked while going
to a ballet lesson that evening. They wanted it for parts and took
everything under the hood and wheels. Only left the radio as it was
probably too old. It was found 3 days later stripped and parked in the
city on cinder blocks.