What to explain to valets?

[DerekS]

Valeting in the US is a highly regarded career that attracts dedicated, skilled professionals that are very knowledgeable about all things automotive related. They’re usually highly trustworthy and take great pride in their work, taking care of your automobile as if it were their own. I remember the valet in my building, little Fangio, named by his Father after the famous racer,…

Seriously, it’s a minimum wage job on the level with fast food work and attracts similar talent.

OP you just need to accept that your car is gonna take some bruises.

100% accurate. I will never trust a valet with my car, period. Even if I have to park it myself and tip them for it.

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[DerekS]

Don't let anyone called Ferris park it...

So this guy is fine?

 

[rb33gl]

So this guy is fine?

?

 

[maddie]

I think I will have to do that – unfortunately in New York City there are almost no self-parking garages (and only a small number of apartment buildings have parking lots with deeded individual parking spots). Almost all lots (and all the ones within walking distance from me) are ones where the space is so valuable that the valets have to constantly rearrange cars to maximize space usage and get cars out when they need to be. So even if I park the car initially it’ll be shuffled around by the valet between then and when I pick it up again.

The specific lot I’m referring to has the benefit of having only 2-3 valets as far as I can tell, so I could tip them well and get to know them. I guess I have to just do that, give them clear instructions and a sign with instructions, and hope for the best… and be appreciative of how my 4S won’t accelerate as quickly as that Plaid Model S!

and then of course there’s the issue of whichever destination parking lot I go to elsewhere in the city, so having the explanatory sign will be helpful for that.

But yes, deep down I know I need to get into a zen state and accept that one way or the other in NYC, whether by the hands of a valet or through the madness on the city streets, it’s only a matter of time before something dings up the car….

Hey, I had the same fears with NYC. I think the only way is tipping and trying to find a good lot. I don’t park in my bldg garage because they hit left and right. The parking lot across is much smaller, gave me a permanent spot when I paid upfront for the whole year, once I tested it out for 2 weeks. They also have EV charging, foc. Upper West Side

 

[menzz]

I live in NYC and, sadly, my only option is going to be handing over my keys every day to a valet to park and retrieve my soon-to-arrive Taycan from a cramped NYC garage (that makes Tetris look easy) with steeply inclined driveways.

I read in another thread recently something about Taycans rolling back on slopes when parked because the parking brake fails to engage, and the Taycan is new and different enough that I'm not sure the garage valet will know how to properly operate the Taycan, realize how much torque it has, know how to properly put it in park with the parking brake on, etc.

Does anyone have tips on what to explain about the care to the valet to avoid a disaster?

I live in NYC and I park in a valet parking. The car is high profile enough that they take care of it. Tip them as usual and they will take care of you. Also the car is very cautious with the emergency braking that it automatically breaks way too early (don’t try parallel parking in tight spots). The problem I’m having in the garage that the charger is really slow and there are multiple electric cars in there so they don’t always charge it overnight.

 

[JTK]

I live in NYC and, sadly, my only option is going to be handing over my keys every day to a valet to park and retrieve my soon-to-arrive Taycan from a cramped NYC garage (that makes Tetris look easy) with steeply inclined driveways.

I read in another thread recently something about Taycans rolling back on slopes when parked because the parking brake fails to engage, and the Taycan is new and different enough that I'm not sure the garage valet will know how to properly operate the Taycan, realize how much torque it has, know how to properly put it in park with the parking brake on, etc.

Does anyone have tips on what to explain about the care to the valet to avoid a disaster?

 

[JTK]

I live in NYC and, sadly, my only option is going to be handing over my keys every day to a valet to park and retrieve my soon-to-arrive Taycan from a cramped NYC garage (that makes Tetris look easy) with steeply inclined driveways.

I read in another thread recently something about Taycans rolling back on slopes when parked because the parking brake fails to engage, and the Taycan is new and different enough that I'm not sure the garage valet will know how to properly operate the Taycan, realize how much torque it has, know how to properly put it in park with the parking brake on, etc.

Does anyone have tips on what to explain about the care to the valet to avoid a disaster?

Have not experienced the rolling back, yet. However, issue for valet is the "ghost" that stays inside the Taycan and sets off the alarm. You'll have to train the valet the double lock push to turn off the interior alarm.

 

[snstevens]

I think I will have to do that – unfortunately in New York City there are almost no self-parking garages (and only a small number of apartment buildings have parking lots with deeded individual parking spots). Almost all lots (and all the ones within walking distance from me) are ones where the space is so valuable that the valets have to constantly rearrange cars to maximize space usage and get cars out when they need to be. So even if I park the car initially it’ll be shuffled around by the valet between then and when I pick it up again.

The specific lot I’m referring to has the benefit of having only 2-3 valets as far as I can tell, so I could tip them well and get to know them. I guess I have to just do that, give them clear instructions and a sign with instructions, and hope for the best… and be appreciative of how my 4S won’t accelerate as quickly as that Plaid Model S!

and then of course there’s the issue of whichever destination parking lot I go to elsewhere in the city, so having the explanatory sign will be helpful for that.

But yes, deep down I know I need to get into a zen state and accept that one way or the other in NYC, whether by the hands of a valet or through the madness on the city streets, it’s only a matter of time before something dings up the car….

Man, I think you're on the wrong track here. First of all, you can Uber, Lyft, or Cab anywhere in the city. Not only do you avoid having a "few too many drinks" issue, but you also get to avoid the extreme hassle of having your car damaged by the valet.

While the situation with the Tesla Plaid referenced by @DerekS is possible, it is probably unlikely. The much more likely event is that the valet will curb the wheels (very tight turning radius that people aren't used to), or you will get door dings.

I live in Seattle, and when I park downtown I never valet since it is truly a crap shoot. If I know I can't park it myself in a garage, I simply use Lyft.

 

[Driver1]

Man, I think you're on the wrong track here. First of all, you can Uber, Lyft, or Cab anywhere in the city. Not only do you avoid having a "few too many drinks" issue, but you also get to avoid the extreme hassle of having your car damaged by the valet.

While the situation with the Tesla Plaid referenced by @DerekS is possible, it is probably unlikely. The much more likely event is that the valet will curb the wheels (very tight turning radius that people aren't used to), or you will get door dings.

I live in Seattle, and when I park downtown I never valet since it is truly a crap shoot. If I know I can't park it myself in a garage, I simple use Lyft.

Yeah I lived in NYC for 10+ years without a car and I still Uber/Lyft a lot, but I now have a young child and greater needs to have my own set of wheels, so it’s more about figuring out how to reduce the risk of the Taycan getting damaged (some great tips so far – doing a one-page guide for valets with pictures, telling them about the phantom alarm issue, etc). I’ve mentally prepared for some dings (my last car I had earlier in the pandemic I parked in a self-park lot a 25 min walk away from home, thinking that would avoid the issue, and I walked in one day to see someone else had scraped up my rear bumper and side panel when they were leaving the spot next to me and didn’t leave their contact info). So there’s really no way to fully avoid, just try to minimize and practice some slow deep breathing!

 

[kort]

Currently, I just use the address of my neighbor Mike. Sorry Mike.

I use a local supermarket that is near my home to limit the risk of dishonest valet using the info in the nav to find out my home's exact location.

 

[djr]

how do you set the valet mode on Taycan 4s

 

[Studogg22]

I had the same consternation and my solution was to buy a 1999 4Runner and take it anywhere dicey (or when I need to haul anything or take my dog around). I love the added peace of mind in keeping my Taycan 'protected' and the 4Runner won't depreciate so can ditch anytime!

 

[DougFrisk]

how do you set the valet mode on Taycan 4s

In the My Porsche app valet mode is under alarms.

 

[Hanny]

..when ever I hear ‘valet parking’ this clip from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off comes to mind…it’s def a classic

 

[DerekS]

I've never let valets park my Porsches and I'm certainly not about to start.

I find my own spot, or pay them and park myself.

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