[ANSWERED] Valet Mode: Why Not Limit the Car?
04-12-2017, 05:17 PM
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[ANSWERED] Valet Mode: Why Not Limit the Car?
The original question is here.
Vyper340 asked:
Why can't the valet mode also limit the performance of the car and not just activate the PDR? It is possible on some other vehicles since it is an electronically controlled feature. Given the nature of these vehicles, wouldn't it provide piece of mind for the owner to set and know the vehicle cannot be used to its capability when a feature like this is activated?
Why can't the valet mode also limit the performance of the car and not just activate the PDR? It is possible on some other vehicles since it is an electronically controlled feature. Given the nature of these vehicles, wouldn't it provide piece of mind for the owner to set and know the vehicle cannot be used to its capability when a feature like this is activated?
Tadge answered:
Thanks for the suggestion Vyper340.
Valet mode is a GM corporate feature shared by many GM cars. It was not developed specifically for Corvette like the PDR (which was subsequently shared by a few other vehicles). We spend a lot of time with customers, and we didn't have a lot of requests for a feature like this. Most customers abhor the idea of a stranger taking their baby out of sight (or ear shot).
Once we decided it might have some value, we explored ways to make it even better for our customers. We did the work to integrate the PDR function into it and I believe are the only manufacturer in the world to have this ability to bring back video evidence of how the car was driven in its absence. We also talked about limiting performance but that quickly escalated into massive complications. Once you involve the Powertrain, all EPA, CARB, and global emissions regulations including diagnostics now have to be validated in both modes. It would have postponed introduction of the feature quite a bit. Yes, it is possible to do and yes, a few other manufacturers have done something like it (Including us on the C4 ZR-1). Like all customer suggestions, we will carry it forward and try to implement them when reasonable and practical. Thanks for the question. All customer feedback helps make the Corvette better and better.
One interesting side note on this topic. How much performance should remain in Valet mode? Pull out too little and you still have a really fast car that an inexperienced driver can get into trouble in. Pull out too much and safety critics will say the car doesn't perform as expected so the driver may not have the acceleration expected when he or she needs it. Where do you draw the line?
Thanks for the suggestion Vyper340.
Valet mode is a GM corporate feature shared by many GM cars. It was not developed specifically for Corvette like the PDR (which was subsequently shared by a few other vehicles). We spend a lot of time with customers, and we didn't have a lot of requests for a feature like this. Most customers abhor the idea of a stranger taking their baby out of sight (or ear shot).
Once we decided it might have some value, we explored ways to make it even better for our customers. We did the work to integrate the PDR function into it and I believe are the only manufacturer in the world to have this ability to bring back video evidence of how the car was driven in its absence. We also talked about limiting performance but that quickly escalated into massive complications. Once you involve the Powertrain, all EPA, CARB, and global emissions regulations including diagnostics now have to be validated in both modes. It would have postponed introduction of the feature quite a bit. Yes, it is possible to do and yes, a few other manufacturers have done something like it (Including us on the C4 ZR-1). Like all customer suggestions, we will carry it forward and try to implement them when reasonable and practical. Thanks for the question. All customer feedback helps make the Corvette better and better.
One interesting side note on this topic. How much performance should remain in Valet mode? Pull out too little and you still have a really fast car that an inexperienced driver can get into trouble in. Pull out too much and safety critics will say the car doesn't perform as expected so the driver may not have the acceleration expected when he or she needs it. Where do you draw the line?
The following 4 users liked this post by jvp:
04-13-2017, 10:34 PM
#3
Pro
Why not just knock it down to around 30 mph? 99% of valet parking never leaves the parking lot so why would safety be a concern/issue? When we purchased the car we thought the PDR did limit the power. I was disappointed when i found out it didn't.
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ArmchairArchitect (02-27-2019)
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04-17-2017, 12:46 PM
#6
I would definitely like to at least have the option
I think your idea of wet mode is spot on, and +1 on both the 2000rpm and 20mph. I mean seriously, how quickly does a 17-year old need to park a car? BTW, Looking at your avatar...Army Aviator? Me too, UH-60M. Just retired 1Dec2016. And loving it!
Last edited by LoneStarCorvette; 04-17-2017 at 12:47 PM.
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zigfire66 (04-23-2017)
congrats on retirement.
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zigfire66 (04-23-2017)
04-19-2017, 09:43 PM
#8
Instructor
SWEET! My question got selected!
Great response and thanks for the info and details. I fully understand the complications and appreciate the feedback. Knowing that the feature is in use in the ZR-1 and has been used with others demonstrates the possibilities. Deciding on the best limits is tough but let's face it, when in that mode it should be the most restrictive with throttle and maximum speed limits.
To answer your questions from my perspective, I believe a reasonable limit reduction of something like 50% and/or limit throttle control to coincide with the weather mode to reduce the possibility that a valet or teenager could lose control or worse. It could also be used for the teenager in the family so they could enjoy the car safely while giving peace of mind to the parents while trusting their "little angel" and creating a win win scenario allowing them to earn the trust and experience needed to grow up.
Just my $.02
PS - 2009 retired Navy here (Tomcats). Congrats on the retirement lrobe22.
Great response and thanks for the info and details. I fully understand the complications and appreciate the feedback. Knowing that the feature is in use in the ZR-1 and has been used with others demonstrates the possibilities. Deciding on the best limits is tough but let's face it, when in that mode it should be the most restrictive with throttle and maximum speed limits.
To answer your questions from my perspective, I believe a reasonable limit reduction of something like 50% and/or limit throttle control to coincide with the weather mode to reduce the possibility that a valet or teenager could lose control or worse. It could also be used for the teenager in the family so they could enjoy the car safely while giving peace of mind to the parents while trusting their "little angel" and creating a win win scenario allowing them to earn the trust and experience needed to grow up.
Just my $.02
PS - 2009 retired Navy here (Tomcats). Congrats on the retirement lrobe22.
Last edited by Vyper340; 04-19-2017 at 09:51 PM.
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ArmchairArchitect (02-27-2019),
zigfire66 (04-23-2017)
04-20-2017, 12:40 PM
#9
Maybe an electronic tuner can help out with this
Just a thought, but if we can install a custom tune for our engine/powertrain, wouldn't if seem plausible that the same guy who writes those types of tunes could also write one for a valet-type mode? Just sayin'.
Off topic now - it's really cool to see so many of our US military peeps on this forum! I grew up a Navy brat myself. My pop was an Airdale, so I spent my young days at work with him whenever possible...always around jets on carrier decks, hangars, flight lines, etc. It's all I ever knew and consequently, it resulted in my own aviation career. Honored to serve and grateful to my Dad!
Off topic now - it's really cool to see so many of our US military peeps on this forum! I grew up a Navy brat myself. My pop was an Airdale, so I spent my young days at work with him whenever possible...always around jets on carrier decks, hangars, flight lines, etc. It's all I ever knew and consequently, it resulted in my own aviation career. Honored to serve and grateful to my Dad!
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Vyper340 (04-25-2017)
04-22-2017, 09:59 AM
#11
SWEET! My question got selected!
Great response and thanks for the info and details. I fully understand the complications and appreciate the feedback. Knowing that the feature is in use in the ZR-1 and has been used with others demonstrates the possibilities. Deciding on the best limits is tough but let's face it, when in that mode it should be the most restrictive with throttle and maximum speed limits.
To answer your questions from my perspective, I believe a reasonable limit reduction of something like 50% and/or limit throttle control to coincide with the weather mode to reduce the possibility that a valet or teenager could lose control or worse. It could also be used for the teenager in the family so they could enjoy the car safely while giving peace of mind to the parents while trusting their "little angel" and creating a win win scenario allowing them to earn the trust and experience needed to grow up.
Just my $.02
PS - 2009 retired Navy here (Tomcats). Congrats on the retirement lrobe22.
Great response and thanks for the info and details. I fully understand the complications and appreciate the feedback. Knowing that the feature is in use in the ZR-1 and has been used with others demonstrates the possibilities. Deciding on the best limits is tough but let's face it, when in that mode it should be the most restrictive with throttle and maximum speed limits.
To answer your questions from my perspective, I believe a reasonable limit reduction of something like 50% and/or limit throttle control to coincide with the weather mode to reduce the possibility that a valet or teenager could lose control or worse. It could also be used for the teenager in the family so they could enjoy the car safely while giving peace of mind to the parents while trusting their "little angel" and creating a win win scenario allowing them to earn the trust and experience needed to grow up.
Just my $.02
PS - 2009 retired Navy here (Tomcats). Congrats on the retirement lrobe22.
Non Vette question. One, thank you for your service. Two, regarding Tomcats- these were made about 20 miles from where I grew up so a lot of folks around here are nostalgic about them as the program fed a region for many years*. As a young boy scout I recall someone bringing in a film (yeah, never said "video" back then) with a Grumman provided piece on the F-14A. That was maybe 1973 or so. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, somehow we got on the discussion about the plane...and a mention was made that these did have a tendency to get involved in the "flat stall" and one was in fact shown in the movie Top Gun. Was that true or just Hollywood exaggeration? My cousin is married to a retired Navy aviator (Chris Aquilino - quite the accomplished guy) and I always forget to ask him....
*Sadly most of the plants that built the great planes by Fairchild and Grumman were demolished and are now shopping malls....not all progress is good progress. As a little kid I still recall the big A-10 painted on the side of the factory that built them.
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zigfire66 (04-23-2017)
04-22-2017, 10:17 AM
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Vyper340 (04-25-2017)
04-25-2017, 09:48 AM
#13
Instructor
Vyper340:
Non Vette question. One, thank you for your service. Two, regarding Tomcats- these were made about 20 miles from where I grew up so a lot of folks around here are nostalgic about them as the program fed a region for many years*. As a young boy scout I recall someone bringing in a film (yeah, never said "video" back then) with a Grumman provided piece on the F-14A. That was maybe 1973 or so. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, somehow we got on the discussion about the plane...and a mention was made that these did have a tendency to get involved in the "flat stall" and one was in fact shown in the movie Top Gun. Was that true or just Hollywood exaggeration? My cousin is married to a retired Navy aviator (Chris Aquilino - quite the accomplished guy) and I always forget to ask him....
*Sadly most of the plants that built the great planes by Fairchild and Grumman were demolished and are now shopping malls....not all progress is good progress. As a little kid I still recall the big A-10 painted on the side of the factory that built them.
Non Vette question. One, thank you for your service. Two, regarding Tomcats- these were made about 20 miles from where I grew up so a lot of folks around here are nostalgic about them as the program fed a region for many years*. As a young boy scout I recall someone bringing in a film (yeah, never said "video" back then) with a Grumman provided piece on the F-14A. That was maybe 1973 or so. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, somehow we got on the discussion about the plane...and a mention was made that these did have a tendency to get involved in the "flat stall" and one was in fact shown in the movie Top Gun. Was that true or just Hollywood exaggeration? My cousin is married to a retired Navy aviator (Chris Aquilino - quite the accomplished guy) and I always forget to ask him....
*Sadly most of the plants that built the great planes by Fairchild and Grumman were demolished and are now shopping malls....not all progress is good progress. As a little kid I still recall the big A-10 painted on the side of the factory that built them.
Back to the issue: valet mode restricting the output would be a very welcome feature when handing the keys over to the dealer, valets or teenagers.
Last edited by Vyper340; 04-25-2017 at 09:50 AM.
01-18-2019, 04:12 PM
#14
Safety Car
I think both a speed limit (15-20 MPH) AND a rev limit (2000-2500 RPM) are the answer...
Even though some valets have parking in a garage close by, it just means they must PAY ATTENTION when pulling out into traffic.
My $85k ride is NOT their opportunity to reenact Ferris Bueller's Day Off. And asking their name before they depart gives you someone to report to their boss.
Even though some valets have parking in a garage close by, it just means they must PAY ATTENTION when pulling out into traffic.
My $85k ride is NOT their opportunity to reenact Ferris Bueller's Day Off. And asking their name before they depart gives you someone to report to their boss.
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Ramapo (08-14-2019)
02-13-2019, 02:28 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
I think service is also an issue here. Too strict a limit and the service tech can't see if the car is running properly. I would shut down tire spin and make the limit 60 MPH.