Why doesn't valet mode lock the frunk?!

[tls]

I've had many cars with valet keys or a valet mode. On every one of them, valet mode has locked the trunk - even in one car where the "trunk" was a hatchback, which was a little pointless - except my F150.

I had to drop the truck off last night at a parking lot where I definitely don't trust the staff 100% and was shocked to see that, unlike either of the Teslas I've owned, valet mode doesn't lock the frunk. Seriously @FordMotorCompany what were you thinking on this one? You're not just behind Tesla but also Volvo, Audi, and even, hard to believe, my nearly 30 year old Saab.

What good could it possibly do a valet to open the frunk or the tailgate? At best it's a recipe for damaging the bodywork if they mash the wrong button on the key fob; at worst, an invitation to snooping or theft. Why?!

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[Jaime]

Considering there's a manual frunk release to the left of the driver's footwell, I'm not sure what good electronically locking the frunk would do. Double-fail by Ford?

 

[tls]

Yeah, they could have put that release in the glovebox, which they could have arranged to lock in valet mode too. Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents...you know the rest I'm sure.

 

[Heliian]

You're being paranoid.

There is a much greater risk of a valet crashing your truck than someone snooping through your stuff and stealing things.

Best option is to get the underseat locker to store those extra special items.

 

[tls]

I guess you're fortunate enough to never have had anything stolen from inside your car in a parking garage.

The risk is trivial to eliminate in any car that already has a valet key or "valet mode". Even if for some reason they couldn't have routed the frunk release cable to the glovebox (like a VW Bug, which, coincidentally, was supplied *in the 1970s* with a separate valet key to that worked the ignition and doors but not the glovebox or frunk) they could lock out the tailgate so a tonneau cover could provide some cargo security. These small design choices that provide a little security are standard for, it seems, all the other manufacturers who offer valet controls.

 

[Rafis29]

Considering there's a manual frunk release to the left of the driver's footwell, I'm not sure what good electronically locking the frunk would do. Double-fail by Ford?

I got ride of that pull tab to better control access. I hate that manual release. I figured I can use a plier (that I keep near the jack) to pull the cable if need be.

 

[RickLightning]

[sarcasm font] I had to look up "valet" to see what you all were talking about, since it's a term I'm unfamiliar with. I'm astonished that you let a person park your vehicle for you. [/sarcasm font]

I was a valet when I was 17. I will walk blocks to avoid using a valet. In 40+ years of driving, I may have used a valet, with no other choice, less than 5 times. Twice was visiting my elderly aunt who took us to lunch at her club. I made sure the valet knew how to park my F-150, he said "I drive one" and was in his 50s.

Otherwise, no way in hell.

 

[Ratherhavefun]

You're being paranoid.

There is a much greater risk of a valet crashing your truck than someone snooping through your stuff and stealing things.

Best option is to get the underseat locker to store those extra special items.

Well, the initial valid concern has once again turned into a free-for-all for

You're being paranoid.

There is a much greater risk of a valet crashing your truck than someone snooping through your stuff and stealing things.

Best option is to get the underseat locker to store those extra special items.

I don’t know if there are statistics on this one, but I’d prefer to have someone do a little snooping and steel my loose change, rather than crashing my vehicle… times are tough! Furthermore, it’s a good reason to not keep your vehicle registration available for possible snoops! If they can see that you’re doing well, they’ll be able to see where you live! Sad but possible! Stay safe!

 

[Vitornis]

One of the reasons I got the center console safe installed when I ordered it.

 

[ExCivilian]

they could lock out the tailgate

They do lock out the tailgate and to be honest I hate it because I service my truck more frequently than I valet it and every time I forget my FOB I have to make anywhere between a 40 minute to 1 hour round trip to come unlock everything for the crew. Just had to deal with it this weekend when I had my bedliner redone--everything was fine until the guy spraying the liner put the tailgate up to move it from prep to spray and then couldn't get it back down. I read some posts where people were able to open the tailgate without their key but none worked for me in valet mode.

 

[cal]

I've had many cars with valet keys or a valet mode. On every one of them, valet mode has locked the trunk - even in one car where the "trunk" was a hatchback, which was a little pointless - except my F150.

I had to drop the truck off last night at a parking lot where I definitely don't trust the staff 100% and was shocked to see that, unlike either of the Teslas I've owned, valet mode doesn't lock the frunk. Seriously @FordMotorCompany what were you thinking on this one? You're not just behind Tesla but also Volvo, Audi, and even, hard to believe, my nearly 30 year old Saab.

What good could it possibly do a valet to open the frunk or the tailgate? At best it's a recipe for damaging the bodywork if they mash the wrong button on the key fob; at worst, an invitation to snooping or theft. Why?!

You’re right. Valid point and something they should be able to fix with an OTA update.

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