Hey guys I am writting to let you know that the valet key to my car actually saved it today. I was reading a thread about a guy who locked himself out of his car and I suggested that he place his valet key in a box under his car. During that thread I believe nismomax recommended using a blank key which I did two days ago. First of all thanks nismo for that suggestion. I got up this morning to do my errands and I noticed some bird crap on my car that I just cleaned last night. After going to the local grocery store I stopped by the car wash to get the car cleared of the crap. Well I pulled my car to a shaded area to wax it. A guy comes around the corner and told me to empty my pockets. I look at him like he was crazy and then he pulled out a gun. Well needless to say my pockets were empty quickly. He then tells me to walk away. I backed up he said turn away or he would shoot he then told me if I looked back he would shoot me in the head. He then asked for the keys to my car (They were in my back pocket). Something made me remember that the valet key was still in the armrest. I told him the key was in the armrest. He got in my car and started it up and drove off. I ran to the atttendant at the wash and called the police. The police showed up quickly and called the car in. While waiting to give my statement a call came over the radio saying they saw a car that fit the description of my car.

The car was about six miles from where we were and the key was in the ignition. He pulled the car over on the side of the road and bailed when it wouldn't start. I had the car towed to the dealership because it would not start with my key. I am glad that I got that idead from nismo and I thought quickly enough to let him take the valet key. My car looked fine. The bad part is he took my wallet with my permit and all my credit cards and my cellphone. I guess the only good part is that I only had eight bucks on me. I don't carry much cash at all. When I get my car back I will park my car at my buddies house because that sorry SOB has my address. I do still have my 95 max to drive. I just have to keep my head on a swivel. The police did all they could do to catch him as of yet no luck. They even brought out the K-9 to look for him. Sorry this thread is so long. Just always keep your head your head up. I have heard of a lot of stories that end worse. I alive and that's all my little girl needs. That other stuff can be replaced. I don't think he wanted the car he just saw an opporitunity and took it. A guys be safe crime is always bad, but when you live through it it just makes you stronger. BE SAFE OUT THERE GUYS. Peace out.

 

wow, that's insane.... I'm glad that you got your car back and that you only lost the few things you lost...those things are replacable: life isn't. On another note, does the valet key only allow the car to run for a certain period of time, or what? I also have a valet key, and haven't used it yet...as a matter of fact, it still has the rubber sleeve on it from the factory, and it's just attatched to my extra set of keys, which i use quite often..

 

Glad to here you made it out of that situation with out a scrach on YOU.

 

Yeah the valet key is designed to run for about 15 mins and then it shuts everything down. The dealer told me that when I bought the car. I'm just glad that it works.

 

wow. impressed with the quick thinking in one of the most possible stressful situations. Perhaps I'll keep my valet in the car from now on. No I won't. We learned the truth that the valet key is not magical. He ran out of gas thankfully.
So arming and disarming the car didn't work? I thought the shift lock tab had something to do with restarting? Not when you run out of gas.


Man, to lose one's wallet and celly can bring a long lasting huge head ache with all that info needing replacement.

Happy to hear you're okay.

 

i'm glad i found this out before i ever tried to use it for that long! lol....so what has to be done after that happens? he said he had to have it towed to the dealer...is there some expensive procedure that needs to be done?

 

holy crap......... scary bro, glad your ok..

 

Sorry to hear about your story, thanks for the heads up on the valet key. Will go find mine right about now. Thanks!

Valet key does not do that. He ran out of gas.

 

Not only should you call the banks to cancel your credit cars, you should also contact the credit reporting agencies:

call the three national credit-reporting agencies to report the theft, and ask them to attach a 'fraud alert' to all your credit cards. Here are the three agencies and their numbers:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

If your social security card or number is missing, call the Social Security Administration (fraud line) at 1-800-269-0271. Also, be sure the Motor Vehicles Bureau about your drivers license, as well as any other organizations from which you lost cards.

Hope the info helps...

 

wow dude...crazy sh** --- glad you walked away...some cats woulda been stupid about their car... I was gonna come to DC to do some mods, but maybe not...lol

take cherns advice and do that ASAP....

 

wow i'm glad to see that you made it out with your life intact, that was some evasive thinking. and i also learned something new about the valet key.

 

very sorry you had to go through that... but ur right.. as long as your ok, everything else is replacable....

good luck gettin all ur cards replaced and cell phone back.

 

Damn dude, good to hear you are ok. I had no idea that the valet key only allows the car to run for such a short period of time. That's a really good thing to know.

Valet key does not do that. He ran out of gas.

 

Thanks for all the kind words.I am abot to go to the dealer to se what nedds to be done to get the car back running. I am lucky he didn't destroy the car. I'm quite sure that it will be cheaper to get the taken care of then to have to call the insurance company and deal with higher rates. I will be taking the advice I am on my way to also get a new permit. My spirits are good I get to see my beautiful daughter everyday. Hey chern Thanks for the heads up once again. I guess you already know first hand that things could be worse. Thanks to you for your selfless act and goin to help the people in louisiana.

 

We Org'ers have to stick together, thanks for the props...

 

Sorry about your close call....the main thing is that you're all right! Montreal is a relatively safe city, however any large metropolitain area has it's problems. Toronto is way worse than Montreal and depending on which part of the city you're in would be worse than DC. Again, always good to keep your eyes and ears open! Best to throw all your stuff with out a fuss and no resistance....

 

Sorry to be a complete noob. Did your car come with a valet key? Mine never. Did you have to buy one seperate? Please let me know. And after it shut things down you needed your key to restart (why didn't it restart or do you have to bring it to the dealership everytime?). Thanks

Taylor

 

You should have gotten 3 keys (2 originals, 1 valet) and the little metal rectangle thing that has your key info on it. (In case you ever need another original key.)

 

Hey bud no question is a dumb question to me. The key came with the car. Mine has a red piece of rubber on it. It is smaller than the regular key.

 

A similar thing happend to my brother when he went to the car wash. Although the thief did not take his car for some reason.

That is the main reason I try to only wash my at home now. If I do stop at a public car wash, I usually leave after I am done and wipe the car down later. I would rather have water spots than a gun in my face....

 

I got no ID tag Shouldn't the dealer keep such IDs so we don't lose them? My valet is a bit smaller w/ hamburger on both sides but not chrome.

I thought the shift-lock tab would restart it? I shoulda asked the dealer, just got back.

 

My valet key is also slightly smaller w/o chrome. I discovered the id tag when I was looking for the valet after reading this post. Anyone else get theirs?

 

Keep it with you I know first hand what a good thing it is to have it with you.

 

I thought so too... I'll have to call tomorow and ask that question, I just always assumed that was one of the functions of it

 

I lost a FOB and a key, so I am down to 1 FOB and 1 Key plus the valet. So darn expensive to get replacements.

 

well, you can only not get into the trunk if you turn off the trunk access button in the glove box AND lock the glove box. Otherwise, your door button still opens the trunk.

So to reiterate, if you choose to have a spare, get a blank made to hide somewhere. (the valet, if found, will get safely in the car and they can drive it. The blank will sound the alarm, which you can disarm once you get your keys that you locked inside.

please DO NOT hide your spare key. only takes one noticing you hiding it once to find it later. Still be careful about how you handle an emergency blank. you still don't want someone looking around, and getting mad b/c they couldn'y get the car.

 

Getting carjacked is scarey **** man,At leaast you got some kind of satisfaction .Quick thinking-much props Bro.

Apollos2, you can get another key fob off of e-bay and check out the stickies how to program it. Don't pay those dealers anything that you can get for a fraction of the cost.

 

So that actually works? I go get the key from the dealer and then the fob of Ebay and follow the stickies? Cool

 

Man thats aweful. Good thinking and glad to hear you didn't get hurt.

 

I used the valet key to drive my car to Tampa Airport a few days ago, a trip of about 50 miles. My car functioned normally and did not cut out. I had locked the glove box and trunk as I was leaving the car at a parking lot, and I had put the main keys in my luggage.
Is it correct to assume that the valet key will cut off the ingintion after a short time?

 

I had a similar experience without cutoff...could having the regular key in my pockets while I drove been why it did not cut off?

mailjbrown did you have your other key with you?

 

According to the manual, the only thing the valet key does
is not open the glove box and the (if equipped) the
rear seatback lock.

Perhaps only the SL is immobilized?

 

I lost my copy of the valet key ... how much does the dealer charge for a replacement? how long does it take for them to make one ? anyone have done this? thanks and btw scary story ... glad you came out of it alright ... good luck

 

If you go through a dealer the key is $52.00 then they hit you for a $80.00 service fee to bring the car in and program the key to the car and i know this cause this just happened to my wifes sentra about 3 weeks ago $137.00 with tax for a lousy key.

 

Just for a valet key? the valet key requires programming? i don't know because this is my first car with programmable keys... the older car i had didn't require the programming .. so i'm just wondering 137 $ for a valet key? i have the originals (2) but just not the valet one ...

 

interesting. now I feel like driving to see what happens. but i'd like kdejour to tell us the dealer's explaination first.

No, the key in your pocket has nothing to do with it.

Yes, valet keys must be programmed, otherwise alarm would sound and engine not start if it wasn't.

Maybe his car got scared I would still use a blank copy for emergency spare. therefore alarm will sound (which you can turn off with keyfob) therefore others cannot steal/move it.

wtf happened to my plate??? I better make 2 blank copies (one for possible spare, other to replace plate)
Well I know my valet key is certainly not red...

also:
so i don't know where I got the notion it would stop, maybe dealer??? My main point was that the blank would only open the door and alarm, not drive the car. Did I really say valet disables

anyway, u must bring all keys to Nissan when programming a new one.

 

I can't begin to explain what happened with your car in the hands of the theif. I learned a long time ago to just accept that sometimes strange unexplainable things happen.

I can assure you though that the valet key has no magical power to allow the car to drive a short distance and then disable it.

 

It wouldnt make sense anyway--a disabled car could suddenly stopp
in the middle of the freeway, causing a fatal crash.

 

Hey guys I have updated the info on this strange event it was gas not the valet key. I started a new thread to clear this up. You all have my appologies. Thanks for all the feedback I was not trying to mislead thus the new thread.