Does anyone have a solution to leaving the smartcard key with a valet parking attendant? I have found typically they don't have anyway to hang it, and often it get put in a bag with other loose keys and gets scratched up.

Any thoughts?

 

if i really have to go to a place with valet, i would just bring one of the key fobs and give them that instead

 

Rominl's solution sounds good.

However, I for one NEVER let a valet park my car. In addiion to usual worrying about will they damage it or steal anything that's not nailed down, with this car you have to worry that they start playing around with the Advanced Parking System to entertain themselves.

Plus, if you've ever seen that Seinfeld episode ................

 

I have an IS and I would never let a valet touch my car.... I can't imagine letting a valet drive an LS! They always park cars as close together as possible so they can squeeze as many cars in their lot as they can... And they don't seem to be too careful when driving

Just go to a nearby parking garage.... It's probably the same price or cheaper, and you can make sure your car is parked nicely

 

If you give the valet your key fob, he has access to the trunk. Whereas if you lock the Glove box and trunk button lock therein, the valet does not have access to your goodies in your trunk. If you don't have any goodies in the trunk, the key fob solution will solve the problem.

 

i thought that's the idea with the fob. lock the trunk button, lock the glove box, take out the key, and give them the fob?

 

try my trick.....if i have to valet then what i do is tell the boys i don't have a real key and i'll throw the boys an extra 20 to park it in the front (i'll either do this myself (preferably) or stand right there and watch them do it)....this way i can grab it right my car after i'm done eating or whatever and their happy with the extra tip....

 

You are correct. Remove the metal key from the fob. Push the trunk lock button, lock the glove box with the key and give fob to valet.

 

I noted at the dealer toay that they have a cover/bag for the "fob" that has a string attached. Maybe this little string and bag would assist the valet to hang up the "fob" and you can lock up the trunk and keep the key.

 

.... i'll throw the boys an extra 20 to park it in the front .....

Yea, but that really increases the cost basis of my dollar meal!

 

I typically try to find a place to park myself, or pay extra to park it out front and keep the key. But at one of the building's I visit regularly, neither of those is an option. Maybe I should just take one of the fobs and keep the card key in my wallet.

 

thats what I do. When I get antsy leaving my car, my wife sort of brings me down to earth, stating, "you're not driving your lamborghini, leave the lexus..."

 

if i had to valet my car...i just tell the valet attendant i want to park it myself up front and then just give him anywhere from 10-20 ....then you know your car is perfectly safe, you have the key, and you have the best parking.

 

For twenty bucks they put you up front in good company. I've never had a problem. I've also found that it helps if my car is cleaned up. They like to have shiny high-line cars at the front doors.

 

exactly my thoughts....worth it to not have to worry so much about dings/scratches....which they never will claim responsibility for anyways!