SKG

I'm going to waterrafting tomorrow and need to take a car key w/ me. I guess the usual key w/ remote is out of the question, since it has electronic components inside. Is the valet key ok if I happen to go into the water?

x-tian-230k

The valet key IS the regular key that you have. And no its not water proof. But it in a zip lock bag. You should be ok.

CitronC230K_03

the valet key, should be the smart key with the glove box/trunk key removed. the smart key is not water proof. the metal key for the door, trunk, glove box is water proof since its metal.

Hal H

SKG' question on the valet key

is the flat wallet key that doesn't have the RF/IR buttons which still has the removable metal key.

That still has electronics inside it - use a small ziplock bag when putting it in your pocket and it will stay dry enough.

Or, you could just put only the metal key in your pocket and put the smart key inside the car (out of view of course) and lock the door manually with the metal key.

Some of the later cars (2002+ ?) weren't being shipped with the flat wallet key, as I seem to remember on earlier posts.

I got two regular smart keys + the wallet smart key with my 2001

CitronC230K_03

well i didnt get a small little wallet sized key. my valet key would be my smart key with the metal key removed.

f00b4r

Just take the metal key out of the IR thing and take that with you. You can lock the IR thing in your trunk if you like, just remember when you open the trunk with the valet key the alarm will go off.

GDawgC220

you can't manually lock the car with the metal keys...at least not on the w220.

I tried once and posted the question on the w220 side and it just won't work...dunno if it's true for the w203 as well.

f00b4r

Your right, you can't lock the car with the metal key... What I do is lock the car with the remote and then lock the remote in the trunk. Take the key with you and when you return unlock the trunk with the key (you turn the key to the right [i think] for two seconds to open the trunk). The alarm will sound so get the IR thing quick and unlock the car to get it to shutup.

HITMAN

how come you cant lock the doors with the metal key? If you cant what is the point of the keyhole on the outside?

CitronC230K_03

i know i can unlock my door with the metal key . ive never tried locking it but i figure if i can unlock it i can do vice versa.

taylor192

You can. At the beach I often lock my smart key in my glove box and then lock the door with the metal key.

@ $500 a pop, I'm taking good care of my keys!

mctwin2kman

I can lock my door with the metal key on the W203. The door has to be closed to do it, since the pin will not go down with the door open. But I have left the car running and locked the drivers door with the metal key, as she warmed up in winter months.

GDawgC220

it just doesn't work on the w220...there's a LOT of resistance when i try to lock it with the metal key. It almost feels like I'm going to break the metal key inside the keyhole, so I backed off.

CitronC230K_03

i thought i could. i know when i first picked up my car i read on the forums the metal key should be tested to make sure it works. i guess this was an issue with a few cars. btw i just tested it and i can lock my car. i knew i could unlock it. come to think of it, i probably did lock it after unlocking when i first got the car.

GDawgC220

hmmm...i'll have to try it again then because I thought about it that why would they make the keyslot there if you can't use the key to lock and unlock...

HITMAN

500 DOLLARS A SMARTKEY!!!!

GDawgC220

nononono...only $250

CitronC230K_03

damn that's still expensive. the key for my brother VW was $275 though, so not bad then considering.