On my Packard and several Buicks you turn on the ignition key, but the starter switch is either a dash button or activated when you step on the accelerator pedal. My two '50s MGs also had starter buttons.

I have a note I tape to the dash on starting procedures for valets and or the guys at the car wash. You often end up in situations where you don't have the choice but to turn the car over to an attendant.

I keep the pre-prepared note above the visor, and give starting procedure in both English and Spanish.

Got caught myself trying to start a friend's new car, which wouldn't go unless you had a foot firmly on the brake pedal.

I have a friend that let a valet park her car and he ruined her transmission. This has been about 2-3 years ago. The car in front of her was a newer sports car and once around the corner, that valet was spinning the tires. She had reservations about giving the car to the valet, but the last time she parked her own car, she parked in a tow-away zone and had her car towed away... sounds alot like the story in the License to Drive movie.. lol. When they left after dinner and the show, on the drive home the transmission in her 2005 7-Series starting making a grinding noise. Under warranty, BMW shop said it looked like it had been intentionally damaged, but did fix it. She reported the valet's potential behavior to the establishment and said they should keep a lookout for him. Turns out it was not the first damaged transmission to roll away from the show. She no longer seen him, so she assumed he was terminated from that job. I wonder whose car he is destroying now?

They are not new, or fancy by any means, but I take care of and baby my cars and I will not let anyone I do not know well drive my cars.... heck, I will not even let most of my family members even get in my car, because I have some small cousins that likes to trash cars interiors and mess around in general with controls, etc.

Sorry, I just noticed this was an OLD thread. I was doing a search on something and started reading all of the replies and thought I would chime in.

I used valet park every day at work. Now they let me park it myself.

Cost of car:
$550

Monthly parking:
$120

__________________
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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

And, if you can avoid it, never eat in a restaurant.