"Valet Mode" Cool Feature for New MINI's
#1
"Valet Mode" Cool Feature for New MINI's
Has anyone else discovered Valet Start? (what i'm calling it, not correct name) Basically you are able to start you engine without having the key in the dash. (THIS IS NOT COMFORT ACCESS/START). MINI's not equipped with comfort access has this feature as well.) Basically one can turn off the engine, take the key out of the dash, place your foot back on the break and start the engine up again without the key being in the dash. Now you can start/stop the engine as many times as you want within a certain time frame between start up's and stops. HOWEVER, if you open the driver side door you cannot continue you can't restart your car once it has been turned off without putting the key back in the dash like normal.
I'm assuming the idea is, if you happen to want to utilize valet parking, you can stop the engine, take the key out and restart the engine, then open the door and allow the valet to park your car without keeping your key. Now the valet only has one shot to get the parking right, IF they turn the car off (or stall-out with a Manual) they can not restart the car because the door has been opened (when you stepped out of the car). Note that the passenger door can be opened during "valet start"/ "valet mode" and you still have the capability to stop and start the car. Only when the driver side door has been open and closed does the system allow that one start to happen. Pretty cool feature.
Go try this in your MINI.
PS. Not sure what model years this feature works for. 2012+ I'm assuming. If you have a earlier model with this feature, let me know!
I'm assuming the idea is, if you happen to want to utilize valet parking, you can stop the engine, take the key out and restart the engine, then open the door and allow the valet to park your car without keeping your key. Now the valet only has one shot to get the parking right, IF they turn the car off (or stall-out with a Manual) they can not restart the car because the door has been opened (when you stepped out of the car). Note that the passenger door can be opened during "valet start"/ "valet mode" and you still have the capability to stop and start the car. Only when the driver side door has been open and closed does the system allow that one start to happen. Pretty cool feature.
Go try this in your MINI.
PS. Not sure what model years this feature works for. 2012+ I'm assuming. If you have a earlier model with this feature, let me know!
#3
You hand them the key with your ticket, card, or whatever they give you to identify your particular vehicle. The idea is to have the option to keep your key on you at all times and not have to rely on someone else to keep up with your key, or (in the rare case) allow someone the opportunity to steal your key/car.
#4
You hand them the key with your ticket, card, or whatever they give you to identify your particular vehicle. The idea is to have the option to keep your key on you at all times and not have to rely on someone else to keep up with your key, or (in the rare case) allow someone the opportunity to steal your key/car.
#6
I've never heard it called valet mode before. All second gen cars have the feature, Tristan has this, our MA pointed it out when we picked him up in 07. You can restart the car within 10 seconds of taking out the key, I didn't know about the opening the door part. I've never known of a use for this, and I'm not sure its really useful for valet mode.
#7
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#11
#12
- So, as I hand off my car to a valet, I need to tell him, "You will have only one chance to park the car right. BTW, I know you've never driven my manual shift car before, but you better not stall it."
- As already mentioned, how is the valet going to fetch your car later?
- Valets often have to move cars around, e.g. tandem parking.
#13
[*]So, as I hand off my car to a valet, I need to tell him, "You will have only one chance to park the car right. BTW, I know you've never driven my manual shift car before, but you better not stall it."[*]As already mentioned, how is the valet going to fetch your car later?[*]Valets often have to move cars around, e.g. tandem parking.
I think not. I imagine that it's a quirky behavior that someone discovered and it wasn't actually by design. It certainly wasn't meant for valets.
I think not. I imagine that it's a quirky behavior that someone discovered and it wasn't actually by design. It certainly wasn't meant for valets.
Response to 2-you hand the valet your key back and they go get your car
Response to 3-valets may or may not have to move cars around but if that's the case would one rather their car just be parked once and not give the opportunity for one's car to be moved increasing the risk of damage being done?
It a cool feature because it gives one the option, it isn't a requirement. One can simply just give the valet their key.
#14
I'd much rather someone stall it than over-rev it, which is what someone that is nervous about stalling may do, and that will eat up a few thousand miles off of the clutch.
Last edited by EHans; 07-28-2013 at 08:47 PM.
#15
Response to 1-it's ideal that a valet knows how to drive a stick. If you have to warn them about stalling, they shouldn't be driving your car.
Response to 2-you hand the valet your key back and they go get your car
Response to 3-valets may or may not have to move cars around but if that's the case would one rather their car just be parked once and not give the opportunity for one's car to be moved increasing the risk of damage being done?
It's a cool feature because it gives one the option, it isn't a requirement. One can simply just give the valet their key.
#16
And finally, do you feel confident using this "feature" with a valet?
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