What is the valet key for?

I never got a valet key with my 2005 Tacoma, just two regular black keys and two fobs. You guys and your fancy options!

 

Well, I suppose it's like everything else, if they are really determined to take your vehicle, they will do it. Locks and other deterrents are basically designed to slow up honest people, and the casual thief, that may just be tempted by a chance opportunity. But then, if they are really slick, they will just pull up like a tow company with a roll-back truck, load the whole vehicle, and simply drive off to the chop-shop. (oh and yep, I was aware of the surfer connection)

Sheesh, you just never know these days. I do try "not" to advertise my hiding spot, by refraining from hanging it, openly on the trailer hitch. I believe that practice only invites someone to come back by with a set of bolt cutters, for a quick chop - grab - smash & unlock, followed by the nonchalant drive off. My lock box is indeed, secured to my truck, but it's out of sight. So, without quite a bit of obvious, poking around the vehicle, at least it won't be noticed on the casual drive through.

But again, if they want "my" vehicle, there is little I can do to stop them, short of sitting there all day with a shotgun.

Thanks for the warning, though...good to know.

 

I was wondering if I could use the valet key as a hide-a-key. Not sure how the chip works, does the key have to be in the ignition to disable the immobilizer? Or just near by? The dealer mentioned something about leaving keys in the car could run down the battery???

My last auto was a Ford Transit, it had this cool combination pad you programmed like an extra key to just unlock the doors, it was battery powered, with a sticky backing so you could put it anywhere you want. Very handy, used it all the time.

 

On my Scion, the valet key worked to start the car but would not open the glove box (the glove box could be locked/unlocked using the regular key).

Figured the valet key was so that the valet could park my car and I could keep any valuables I had somewhat safer in the glovebox.

edit: tricked into replying to an 8 year old thread again...damnit

 

I use the valet key as a spare when I am out in the woods fishing/hiking/etc. I have the key on a plain ring attached to a lanyard which I keep around my neck. Its a "just in case-belt and suspenders thing" as I also have the regular key in my pocket. In the many years I have done this with a variety of vehicles I have yet to need the spare, but I do it anyway

 

I thought I'd respond to this thread as I just discovered a couple of things that surprised me

Bought my 2007 Tacoma new and received 2 master keys and what is called a valet key. The manual was vague and in conflict with a paper that was inside the bag with the spare key which stated the "grey" key would only unlock the doors and would not start the vehicle. I tested this and found it to be the case. The truck would crank but would never start.

So I locked the spare master key away along with the "valet" key.

Recently had issues with a bad key fob so I ordered a new one. While waiting I discovered that my master key would unlock all doors from the drivers door but not from the passenger door.

So after googling the issue and coming to this thread out of curiosity I dug out the valet key and tried it. It opens the door from both the drivers side and passenger side. I haven't tested the spare master key yet though. So I tried the valet key out on the ignition without the master key being anywhere near the immobilizer Lo and behold the truck started up and I drove it 5 miles to the grocery store. That amazed me because all it would do when I got the truck was just crank and crank as per the instruction in the bag.

So my issue now is does the master key unlock the door from the passenger door as well. I'll know for sure if the one I have been using for years is out of whack next time I go outside and try the master key that has been in my lockbox all of these years and I'll update my post

A couple of years ago I was driving farm, construction equipment and new autos off of ships and around a marine terminal. Guys were always losing their wallets, cellphones, keys in some vehicle they drove during the day. I ended up leaving my keys and wallet in my truck and had a spare key made at ACE hardware. Its; got a huge head on it but it works. lol I've tried various other places to have spare key made just to unlock the door but to no avail.


Edit Just tried the master key that's been in my lock box for 12 years. It unlocks both the drivers door and the passenger door. The master key that I have been using easily opens the drivers door, starts the truck, but wont turn in the passenger door. Perhaps its a matter of some slight wear of the key or some dirt in that lock. I'll spray a little WD40 in there but I really don;t see any indication of dirt or corrosion being a problem.

I also wonder if there is some electrical problem with the truck or the locks, would the master key unlock it.

 

Gray key unlocks my glove box. That's all

 

I just traded my ‘07 last July, but I had the same keys - two black master keys - one gray valet key. I never could tell the difference. The valet key did exactly what the black keys did, including starting the truck (?). Go figure.

As for that spare key with the fat head, I had my dealer to (quite reluctantly) cut me a spare key, which was just a simple “flat” key (no fat head). He kept telling me I would just run my battery down trying to crank the truck with it (duh). I just smiled and insisted that he just “cut the key”. Well, I kept that key, in a magnetic key case, hidden under the rear of my truck for 11 years. It would do nothing, but open the door, where I could then either retrieve my locked-in keys, or get my spare master key, which I kept in the storage area under the rear seats. I never needed that spare key but one time, but it really saved my butt that once. I was in the middle of nowhere one day, got out of the truck, hit the manual lock button as I exited the seat, but then, leaned back into the truck to get something out of the console. While doing so, I laid my regular keys down on the drivers seat, got whatever it was out of the console, and slammed the door as I walked off. I never realized what I had done, till I returned to the truck, at which time I had one of those “Oh S#!t” moments. There, through the window, as I searched through my pockets, I saw my keys laying in the seat. I sure was glad to have that spare that day !

 

No difference as far as I could tell except my truck wouldn't start but it does now. I recall having the truck in the shop and they reprogrammed all the shift points...…. maybe that altered something. But a paper with the keys said the "Grey" key would not start the truck.

As for my original master key it won't turn the lock on my passenger side but the 2nd master key and the grey key both work fine. The original master works fine on the drivers door. On the off chance there was some dirt in the lock I put some dry lube in there yesterday. Made no difference. It's quite possible my original master key which I have been using for 12 years is worn down just enough to prevent it from working on the passenger side lock but I notice no difference in the keys when compared to the others. The fact that it may be the key suggests I use the 2nd master key just in case this one is failing and gets to the point it won't start the truck and leave me stranded somewhere..

So I ordered another transponder key today and will have it cut and programed at a locksmith when I receive it so I will still have two.

 

Strange, that almost sounds if something about your keys, was mixed up, when you got it (?). What would be the point, of giving the valet a key, that could not start your vehicle ? How is he going to retrieve the vehicle, and bring it back to you ? What you want is for the valet to be able to open the driver’s door, start the vehicle, and drive it back to you, BUT, not to have access to your glove box, your console, or your trunk. How else could it be a valet key ?

 

My manual was very vague says as follows


Your vehicle is supplied with the two
kinds of keys.

1. Master keys (black)—These keys work
in every lock. Your Toyota dealer will
need one of them to make a new key
with a built−in transponder chip.

2. Sub key (gray)—This key works in every
lock.

A transponder chip for engine immobilizer
system has been placed in the head of
the master and sub keys. These chips are
needed to enable the system to function
correctly, so be careful not to lose these
keys. If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the system
or start the engine.


Item 2 is confusing. It does not mention the inability to start the vehicle with the "grey" key, but again the bag with the extra keys me in had a sheet inside which stated precisely that - they key won't start the vehicle.

The grey key never made any sense to me either since we don't have locking tailgates, gloveboxes.

I am now wondering if I have a blank cut and programed (the Key I am to receive is TOYOTA OEM will that mess up the ability of the other keys to function properly. It shouldn't

 

Ok, I don’t think I ever saw that write-up, in the manual, but here’s my take on it.........

2. Sub key (gray)—This key works in every
lock.

> YES, the gray key works on every lock, including the ignition (which is basically a lock), and there are no other locks, other than the doors.

A transponder chip for engine immobilizer
system has been placed in the head of
the master and sub keys. These chips are
needed to enable the system to function
correctly, so be careful not to lose these
keys. If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the system
or start the engine.

> YES, there is a chip in each key (black & gray), which enables it to start the engine. Don’t lose them because it will be expensive to replace them. And yes, as I mentioned about my spare key, a duplicate key will NOT start the engine (but it will open the door).

Item 2 is confusing. It does not mention the inability to start the vehicle with the "grey" key, but again the bag with the extra keys me in had a sheet inside which stated precisely that - they key won't start the vehicle.

> NOW, this is where I am lost. My book did not mention that the gray key would not start the engine, only that it would not open the glove box, or the console, etc. Again, what good would a valet key be, to a valet, if it would not start the vehicle. Surely, he/she must be able to start the vehicle immediately, once you hand them the key, else the vehicle would have to remain in place, till you finished dinner, or whatever.....

 

the manual referring to the grey key states microchip in it. When I first got my truck I assumed it would start the engine as that passage indicates it does so. But the supplemental sheet packed in the bag with the 2nd master key and the grey key said that the key would not start the engine and only crank it. I tried a few times and it never would start.

Funny because I checked a few days ago and it started the truck which surprised me. I've had that key locked in a box for 12 years and never had use for it until I wanted to see if t would open the passenger door which my master key wont work., (prolly worn out)

I give up trying to reason it out. The all work except for the one master key on the passenger door, which I am now in the process of replacing.

 

Sounds to me like they mixed the gray key and that one master key, on your truck, but who knows. I would have the dealership to explain it to me, if I were you....and if that is where you bought the truck, have them to make it right (it’s only a key / an expensive key, but still)

But yes, a chip in all three keys - they all start the engine. I do believe that there were some other configurations, between our ‘07 models, and the newer 3rd gens, which I now own. Now they (3rd gens), are a whole nother ball game.....but they are beginning to grow on me....(no key)

 

I'm now 12 years down the road as of Tuesday from when I bought this truck and a thousand miles from where I bought it and to be honest the Toyota dealers in my area, I have no confidence in their services. Overpriced shoddy work that isn't done and constant claims that this needs to be done or that needs to be done.

They key problem not a major problem, I'll get it sorted out with a new one and reprogramming.

 

I ordered a new transponder key blank, took it over to the locksmith Wednesday. He cut it and programmed it for $35 That key will manually unlock my door now. Guess the original key had some wear on it.

I asked him about the valet key he confirmed that they are supposed to only open doors and trunk and will start the vehicle. That always made sense to me in the event a valet service parked your vehicle. Confusing as mine never would start the engine only crank it as stated by a supplemental sheet in the sealed bag with the extra keys. The only reason it may work now is at one point during a recall Toyota reprogrammed the truck and the shift points. Something in that software update may have changed the status of the valet key. Who knows

But as they say, it's all good now.

 

Well, I hear what you are saying, and I am glad you got your situation fixed to your liking, but I still have to partially disagree with the locksmith. The valet key should not open the trunk, nor any other personal storage area in the vehicle. Possibly he mis-spoke ?

Either way, the whole point of the valet key, is for the valet to be able to unlock your vehicle, start it up, go park it somewhere, and lock it. Then later, to go retrieve your vehicle, and bring it back to you (which of course he could do with any of your keys).

However, what makes a valet key different, is that it will do all of this, BUT, it should NOT allow him to open your trunk, your glove box, or your console, while he has possession of your vehicle. The idea is for you put your valuables in the trunk, the glove box, or the console, and lock them up, prior to turning the vehicle over to the valet, at which time, you would hand him the gray valet key (with these limitations) Otherwise, there is no point in even having a valet key...just hand him any key, and hope for the best.

Here are a few readily available definitions of “valet key”, from a quick search, should there be doubt.

“The valet key's purpose is to prevent access to the areas of the vehicle you don't want the valet to access (i.e., trunk, gas tank, glove box, etc.) A valet key should only allow the valet to drive the car and lock the doors. Some people confuse a valet key with an extra key”.

“A valet car key is a key that only works on the car’s ignition and door locks. The key is cut differently from the other keys, so it will not allow a valet to open the trunk without the owner's consent.”

“On some GM cars, there is a computer chip in the Key itself. It is used on high end cars, such as Corvette, Cadillac, etc. On Corvettes and V-series Cadillacs, the valet key also, will not allow the car to be driven over 35MPH. This is a wonderful feature for expensive HiPerformace cars.”

 

Sorry I mistyped as I was distracted as I posted . I meant to say with exception of truck and glovebox. So you and the locksmith are in agreement.

 

Yep....sounds right now ....