Hey folks....

We just bought my wife an '09 Sonata GLS with the popular equipment package.

In the manual it says the car comes with a sub key (valet key). The dealer did not give us one, so I'm wondering if we are supposed to get one or not. Related to that - how do you defeat the trunk unlock button the door? I could not find any switch in the truck to do this unlike other cars I have had.

Thanks in advance for answers.

--*Rob

My LX came with 3 Keys. There is a Lock out latch. Read about it in

the Manual. You could try our search box, put in Valet...
:00000732:

My 2007 Sonata SE also came with 3 keys, 2 with the black plastic cover on them and one with no cover. There is a lock out on the trunk latch and also locks on the back of the rear seats so they cannot be opened from the inside. All this info is also in the owners manual and online either here or at hyundaiusa.com

Actually - I did search on here for valet key and sub key and found very little if any mention. I'm a forum veteran - having been on many, forums for all the cars we have owned for many years. I would not have posted if I had found the answer.

I read on Edmunds.com's hyundai forums that on the 2009s - the lock out latch is not there, even though it is supposed to be. Or it may possibly be hidden under the trunk liner. Apparently Hyundai has been contacted and is investigating.

As for not getting the key - we were very dissatisfied with the delivery of our vehicle. The dealer lost the 2nd regular key and fob, so we only have one key right now. They have ordered the second fob for us. Now it is apparent I will have to call them again to get the sub key as well. But what is also interesting is there is absolutely NO key lock on the trunk - it can only be opened with the fob. So actually - as long as there are seatback overrides - a lockout is not necessary....if the valet does not have the fob and the seatbacks are locked - it's irrelevant....

I can't wait for us to get the survey, while we got an excellent deal on the car, they did not do much if any follow through during or after delivery to make us aware of all the features, etc....

--*Rob

I have an 2009 Sonata I4, and I can confirm that there is no key hole for the trunk. But the trunk can still be opened from the driver side door panel button, so even if the valet does not have the FOB, the trunk can still be opened by the door switch.

The only thing the valet key does is prevent the glove box from opening if locked with the primary key.

Unless I missed it in the manual, there is no seat back lock out. The seat backs can be put down from inside the car anytime.

Tony

I can only tell you from what I have seen at the port I work at.
I noticed that the base model Sonatas only have 2 keys the higher models have the valet key.
There is no way to keep the trunk from opening with the switch the 09 latch doesn't have the manual lock like the 08 did.

My 09 GLS with the preferred sunroof package came with the valet key, which seems to be nearly useless.

Wow. They didn't come with the little knob you can flip on the latch ? I don't get it - I just looked through the 2009 manual and it mentions it in several places. Here's just one instance. Maybe some have it and some don't ?

Useless? :whistling: That is the Key that goes in your Wallet. :thumbsup: :trophy:

All the Sonatas I have seen since we got them in march haven't had the trunk lock. It messed us up because it was one of the things we used to check to make sure it functioned. As for the valet key I never paid much attention to which packages get them on the different models or if the factory is just forgetting to attach them to the key rings. As for the rear seat locks I don't recall seeing them on the 09 either.

You just found another instance where the owner's manual doesn't match reality. I physically checked my 09 Sonata (manufactured in May 08), and there are no seatback locks to prevent entry into the trunk from the passenger compartment. Nor is there any way to prevent the trunk from being opened via the internal trunk release located on the driver's door. That pretty much defeats the primary purpose of having a valet key.

Sounds to me like a cost cutting measure. They deleted the trunk lock and seatback locks but forgot to revise the part(s) of the owner's manual that mention them.

This is kinda OT but still pertaining to the valet key. The blurb posted that was from the manual says that key is given to valet to prevent them from accessing trunk, etc. MY car if opened with any of the keys, not the fob will set off the alarm ( which i think is factory installed, not sure.) Are alarms not factory installed on these Sonatas? Thats why you need the fob to get in the car... What good is the valet key if there is a trunk release button on the drivers door....? Not only will valet be able to access every part of my car, he will set off the alarm in the process, simply by getting into the car. Smart, real smart hyundai.

The OP was asking about the 09, but on your 07, you can lock the valet out of the glove compartment and trunk. On the inside of the trunk (on the latch) there is a manual lockout. Also, on the backs of the back seats, there are manual lockouts.

Unfortunately, they've removed those manual lockouts (and the keyhole in the trunk for that matter) from the 09's.

BTW, welcome back from the abyss, MsSonataLuvr - long time no see. We miss you around here.


robusdin, since they've removed all the manual lock overrides, the valet (sub) key is apparently useless anyway. Either way, I'd ask the dealer from which the car was purchased. I'm sure they'd gladly make you a valet key for your car.

This post has been edited by SonataRobbie: Sep 5 2008, 06:14 AM

And you are looking more beautiful than ever! No the Key is designed to

also deactivate the Alarm system. When I stick mine in, the lights blink. Also

when you lock your Trunk from the Trunk, the release button will not work. Am

I right?

There is no outside trunk lock on the 09 Sonatas, so you can't disable the inside trunk release by locking the trunk. And I don't see anything inside the trunk that would allow me to disable the inside trunk release either.

Yeah I understand that. Very strange. Actually I was just speaking about

sticking the Key in a Door, and how that will disarm the Alarm.

Seems like they deleted a couple things to cut costs. hmmm smart move hyundai or not so smart? My friend just finished Med School here at Tulane and moved to Detroit and wanted to buy a sonata but said he wasn't now cause crime is so high where he lives and he has vallet parking where he lives. He said he wanted to lock his trunk to make the crooks work a little hardier to snatch his stuff. I mean if someone wants something they will find a way to get it, but why make it easier for the criminals hyundai? Lost one buyer i know of so far.