Never given a Valet key from dealer

Hey guys,

I don't own a Taco but my dad has a 2010 SW DC SB sport edition. I was reading the owners manual and it showed 3 keys should come with the truck.

My dad bought his truck from a Ford dealer with 1,950 miles on it and they gave us only 2 keys, 2 remotes, a tiny number plate, but no valet key?

My dad doesn't really mind that he doesn't have a valet key but should he be worried about someone out there that does have it? It's most likely the previous owner or dealer (dealer can't find it cause we asked). Should my dad have his key set reprogrammed so the valet key that is no where to be found cannot be associated with the truck?

Thanks,
Chris

 

I wouldnt worry about it to much if I were you guys. I doubt whoever owned it before or whatever saved the key to steal the truck back.

 

mine came with a 3rd gray key (valet key) but i thought the same thing what does it do different. NO glove box lock no trunk lock whats the point.

 

I got the same and I agree on calling bullshit. There's no way the vehicle would just shut off - imagine if you on the interstate and you hit the magic 20 mile number and didn't know what's going on. Huge liability.

To the OP, I wouldn't worry about not having it. The odds of the previous owner ever even seeing the truck are slim and even slimmer odds of that person having the key on them and having a malicious mindset.

 

Do you have aftermarket remote start?? Usually you have to give up a key for the remote start to work.

 

With all three keys having the transponder chip encased in the black/gray rubber/plastic head they all allow you to to start the truck. The "valet key" has a transponder chip in it that cannot be used to program a duplicate transponder. The two black headed keys have transponders that someone could use a transponder programmer to make a copy to allow them through. Thus, to protect you from someone nefariously making a copy of the physical key and a copy of the ignition transponder so that they could, as Obama would say, "Redistribute what is yours to others who are less fortunate."

With that said, if you are planning to drop the truck off to a valet, service provider, or have a remote start/alarm system that requires a chip inside itself to start the truck it is suggested that you use the valet key. If you are doing the latter then please seriously consider cutting the actual key off of the head before it is inserted into the remote starting system so you aren't leaving a physical key for someone to simply remove from said remote starting system and then enjoying your truck in what you would consider a less than favorable way.

 

I think it's just a convenience thing, an extra key that you can carry separately so you don't have to give up your main key when you take the vehicle in for servicing. They can easily get lost which is probably what happened to the OP's Dad's truck's former owner. I wouldn't worry about it, the guy probably won't find it until he cleans out the junk drawer one day.

A little off topic, when I had my VW GTI it was common to reprogram the ECU to include several switchable fuel mapping programs for performance. One of the programs that came with the package was "valet mode" which, when set, would limit the vehicle to 25 mph and/or 3000 rpm's.

 

True dat....this is where my valet key currently is.

And yes, I realize this defeats the purpose of having a chip in the key, but it also makes getting a new key much less expensive. If it's going to get stolen, a chip wont slow a professional thief down much.

 

Thanks guys for the insight.

No, there is no remote starter.

 

I never use the Valet at Burger King anyway!

 

Sorry to revive an old thread, but thanks for the info. I was wondering what I was gonna do for the remote starter I am having installed. I will just give them the valet key.

 

I was only given the "Valet" key for my truck when I bought mine (used). I was dumb enough not to ask for another working key just in case. I found out that if I do not have the "master" key I cannot program additional keys. I am not sure if this is true or not. I have asked several dealerships and the concensus is the average cost is somewhere between $400-$600. That is to flash the computer ($350), get a new set of master keys and program each one ($50-$80/key). Luckily I havent lost my keys yet. I wouldnt worry about having the masters.

 

Actually, now it all makes sense to me. Palehorse1 has it right (thank you).

Use your gray key. Carry it with confidence. If you lose it, you can use your black key (stored safely somewhere at home, right?) to get new keys made.

No one has been able to tell me that information. Even the dealer here, although I admit I didn't ask the parts guy who probably knows. I've always wondered what the hell the valet key did that was different than the others.