We used valet parking at a hotel two days ago. First time since we bought our Prius last December. The front desk assured us that there wouldn't be a problem. Just to make sure, I asked the attendant if he new how to drive a hybrid. His response was, "No problem. Is it a stick or automatic?" YIKES!!! Needless to say, he didn't park our car.
Actually, thats a legitimate question - not all Hybrids are designed like the Prius. there have been hybrid "sticks". If you asked the attendant if he new how to drive a Prius, that would have been a different story...
You should have been given a quantity of "valet cards" when you bought the car (assuming you bought it new) just for this purpose. It has instructions and pictures for a valet, mechanic, etc. to use to start and stop the car.
You serious Jimbo? Got m Prius in Jan., & never heard of this. I know you're pulling our legs ... but, just in case ...
Yep, I'm serious. At least insofar as 2005 model years are concerned. I got 'em with mine. Having said that, I suppose it's possible (and I didn't consider this) that they stopped including them at some point with later model years.
2006 model years came with the valet card also. Here is a link that I found with a scan of the card. Imagerius-valet-card-small.jpg - EAA-PHEV
You beat me to it, Trevor. You all will notice that there's a hole in the upper corners (left on the front side, right on the back). That's where they are designed to be hung on the shift knob. There's a slit from the hole to the edge so you can slide it on. For those who use valet parking regularly, it would be a good idea to print those images and leave them either on the seat or anywhere visible.
my 2 cents: Got my prius in june 07 and didnt get that card either thanks for posting it its going straight in my glove compartment
For GP, I didn't get any cards nor the plastic key with my 2008. Story reminds me of a time when I brought my '68 Ford Falcon in for tires. It was a column shift (3 on the tree), and I asked if they'd have any problems bringing it into the shop. I was assured that they wouldn't. A short time went by and the service manager came into the waiting area to speak with me. "We can't move your car, where's the RND321 indicator?" "There is none, it's a manual shift!" "What?" A column shift, the gear shift is on the column!" "Don't think we can get it in the shop." "Would you like me to pull it in?" "Yeah, I guess this time it be alright." So, I pull into the shop, the guy who did my tire work asked me what the third pedal(clutch) was for. Again, I explained that it was a column shift. "Never saw one of those before, this a foreign car?" NO! It's a Ford! Needless to say I had to also drive the car out of the shop!
2008. I got ONE card with a small bungee type cord which can hang on the gear shifter. I briefly remember the delivery agent telling me the card was for valet parking.
I asked about this when I picked up my Prius. The salesman didn't seem to know anything about these. I know for a fact that he has been selling Priuses for years. He said not to let anyone else drive it. I guess some of us may have to make our own cards.
I didn't get any valet cards when I bought my car but I printed out a few from the link on this site and I keep them in the glove compartment just in case. So far I haven't had to use them. But I'm prepared just in case...
Even though I have a stack of these cards, the valets seem to ignore them as well as non-Toyota mechanics. Even with the pictures, they don't seem to be able to figure it out. And if they do figure it out, once they push PARK, it seems that they don't power it off. Good Luck...It's better if you can park it yourself if possible.
My advice for valet parking, since they're going to be busy wondering how well you'll tip, and not reading literature you hand them about how to drive ("don't tell me how to do my job, man, I know how to drive a car!"), is to disable SKS before going to the valet. Then they're forced to remove the key from the dash, which means they won't accidentally leave it on.
Thanks Trevor & Tony! SparrowHawk -- terrific story ! In the same category -- the same guys who can't figure out 3-on-the -tree (which is great fun), talk of "sports cars" such as the current fat 4 liter Mustangs & Eclipses, with AC, automatics & electric door-locks !! Sorry, here's your list of sports cars: Jaguar XK's, MG, Austin Healy, Triumph, Sunbeam, Alfa-Romeo, early Vettes & Miatas, & probably a few more. :nod:
Since the attendant was standing two feet away from the car, that he just watched me exit, I didn't think he needed to be told what it was. I will be contacting the dealer about getting some of the instruction cards.
