I bought my RL almost a year ago and have been enjoying it immensely. Let me thank everyone on this message board who offered advice and suggestions as I was making my purchasing decision. Great car!

A minor complaint: I was forced to valet park my car last week; I always do this with a great deal of trepidation as the key fob tends to confuse the parking attendant. I explained the rules and re-iterated that he must turn the knob to the off position. The young man ensured me that he "gets lots of RLs."

When I handed him my ticket stub at the end of the dinner, he brought the car around but couldn't find the fob. He asked me if I had it (silly question as how could he have started the car if I had the fob). We searched for ten minutes before finding it under the seat.

How do you deal with valet parking? Have you had similar problems? I notice that there's no easy way to hang the fob on their boards as there is no hole in the fob once removed from the key.

I welcome any suggestions and thanks!

Best regards.

 

did you get a gray valet key with the car? that should have a slit in it for a keychain to hang the key.

 

No, I did not. Perhaps I'll check with my dealer.

 

usually the dealers stick them in the middle of that leather binder that contains all the manuals and things.

 

I never rec'd a valet key with my 2006 rl.

I bought a blank metal key from the dealer: i put that in the fob with an empty key ring attached so that the valet has something to hand the fob on a hook. I keep my metal key so that I can lock the glove box, etc.

I would be interested to find out if a valet key really exists for this generation of RLs.

 

My understanding is NO valet key for the keyless entry RL.

I also wonder if just a plain metal blank would even work, because the key included with the remote is supposed to have a passive chip in it for security, and the car would immobilize itself without the correct reply to the car's interrogation.

From page 145 of the 06 manual:

The built-in key (see page 173) fits
all the locks on your vehicle.

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.

- Protect the keys from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
- Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them.
- Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a soft cloth.

The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.

The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle from theft. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine will not
start.

When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on for
a few seconds, then go out. If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the remote or built-in key...

 

No he did not. No one does, 05 and up RL's do not use a valet key, you keep the key and give the attendant the fob.

 

That's what I thought. Otherwise, my dealer owes me a key!

 

Yep - that's why I self park in Vegas...

 

I believe there is a chip in both the key and keyfob and only one needs to be present to start the car. Because if you hand the valet the keyfob only, it will start the car and if you only have the real key, that will start the key without the keyfob around.

 

That is correct. The metal key that is integral with the fob has a chip in it. The previous quote spoke about a plain metal key, and not a chipped version.

 

His mention of a empty blank key is just a way for the valet to hang the keyfob while it's in their possesion.

 

I just tell the velet to be certain the MID says GOODBYE, verifying the ignition is off completely. But I don't think that feature is on the 05 RLs?

I also keep a fob protector 'pouch' in the armrest. It has a key ring attached. So when I valet, I eject the key, pop the fob in the pouch and had that to the valet.

 

I have a 2006 RL and the "goodbye" definitely does help.

A fob protector pouch sounds like a great idea, but I really hate valet parking with the RL. Where did you purchase it?

Thanks.

 

ebay

 

If I have no valuables in my trunk or glove compartment, I just pop-off the ignition cap and give them the physical key. This way, the car works like any other car.