How about having a “baby monitor”, only this time for your car, and not for your young child? That’s what Corvette product manager Harlan Charles calls Valet Mode for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. This feature allows car owners to enjoy tighter security, as it lets them record audio and video even if they’re not in their vehicle.
“Anyone who has felt apprehension about handing over their keys will appreciate the peace of mind knowing exactly what happened while their baby was out of sight,” added Charles, expounding on his “baby monitor” analogy for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette’s Valet Mode. So how exactly does this mode work? Valet Mode allows owners to use the Performance Data Recorder’s HD camera to shoot videos and the dedicated microphone to record audio while they’re away from their car, and also has the telemetry recorder use GPS to track speed, RPM, and other relevant statistics.
Owners can also use Valet Mode to lock their storage bin and disable both the radio and infotainment system, but the most interesting application remains using Valet Mode to control the Performance Data Recorder. “We soon realized the system could have many more applications, such as recording a scenic drive up Highway 101, or recording when the Valet Mode is activated,” said Charles, also stressing that the tool was originally designed for competitive drivers as a “tool for track days.”
The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette’s Valet Mode can be activated by means of a four-digit passcode that can be set up on the infotainment menu. A dedicated SD card slot can be found in the glove box, and that’s where you can record data, then view it on the infotainment screen; owners can also transfer the files for home viewing on their PC.