HEPA Air filter for everyone...

[Spidy]

I have an MX60d non-pup, just delivered 3 weeks ago. As I don't have a HEPA filter, I do have to say the car's "auto" mode does a good job of keeping the air pretty clean smelling. I leave it in auto mode so I'm not sure if it just uses a lot of recirculation, which is what I had to do in our old cars. Not sure if anyone else feels the same way, but I don't feel like I get any smog or smoke smells wafting into my car. Or, maybe the new car smell is just masking it all...?

Not very surprising.

HEPA filters are particle filters, but many odors are very small gases so the main thing stopping those is probably the activated carbon filter, which all cars should have.

Different types of air filters (Hepa, Ionic, UV, Carbon)

 

[laughter]

Tesla Product Specialist told me the HEPA filter would only be engaged if we turn to the highest fan speed. With that, I decided not to opt for PUP. Normally we do not use the fan in the highest speed. Is that really true?

Fyi, I still have a few days to modify my spec. I'm hoping to get more clarity here.

 

[Saghost]

Tesla Product Specialist told me the HEPA filter would only be engaged if we turn to the highest fan speed. With that, I decided not to opt for PUP. Normally we do not use the fan in the highest speed. Is that really true?

Fyi, I still have a few days to modify my spec. I'm hoping to get more clarity here.

I have only used Bioweapon mode once or twice and never select high fan speeds, but I never smell anything in the car (except things I brought in with my once or twice) and I have frequently been surprised by smells when I get out of the car.

Between that and some common sense design philosophy, I'm confident you've been mis-informed - I have no doubt that all cabin air is drawn through the HEPA and activated carbon filters during normal operation (I think it's only outside air, though - so recirculate won't clear smells that are already inside.)

(X75D with PUP)

 

[Spidy]

I have no doubt that all cabin air is drawn through the HEPA and activated carbon filters during normal operation

Of courses it goes through the carbon filter (which is actually what removes smell as far as I understand) like in a car without the HEPA filter, the question is if it goes through the HEPA filter.

 

[Saghost]

Of courses it goes through the carbon filter (which is actually what removes smell as far as I understand) like in a car without the HEPA filter, the question is if it goes through the HEPA filter.

Why in the world would you route the air through one of the filters and not the others if you have them all installed?!?

If nothing else, you'd choke the activated carbon filters with things that the HEPA filter should be pulling out first.

 

[Spidy]

Why in the world would you route the air through one of the filters and not the others if you have them all installed?!?

If nothing else, you'd choke the activated carbon filters with things that the HEPA filter should be pulling out first.

Yes, but which filter is more expensive? That's also the only reason I can think of why one would do this.

 

[TacC]

I have only used Bioweapon mode once or twice and never select high fan speeds, but I never smell anything in the car (except things I brought in with my once or twice) and I have frequently been surprised by smells when I get out of the car.

Between that and some common sense design philosophy, I'm confident you've been mis-informed - I have no doubt that all cabin air is drawn through the HEPA and activated carbon filters during normal operation (I think it's only outside air, though - so recirculate won't clear smells that are already inside.)

(X75D with PUP)

I don't believe there's a way to use Bioweapon Defense with the fan on a low speed.

I'm in the same camp as you with having the fan on low speeds most of the time. And I'm also getting excellent results with smog and other odors.

 

[outie]

When you activate Bioweapon defense mode the fan automatically goes to high speed (as you can hear the fan blowing much louder). We only use it when needed - old cars / motorcycles emitting smelly fume, skunks, etc.

 

[Bishop]

I'd do this if i could figure out how to remove the frunk to get to the filter.. at the end of the day its just a filter cant really screw up anything

 

[laughter]

Thanks gents for the comments.

I decided to proceed with PUP. Regardless of HEPA, the carbon air filter (along with PUP features) worth the extra $.

 

[Bishop]

hepa filter is 200 bucks cabin filters 40 called to ask today

 

[tmarcc]

Does anyone know wherever pre-facelift Model S's can accept the HEPA filter?

 

[eye.surgeon]

The hepa filter seems unnecessarily over-engineered. It's the same size as the filter for my house. Makes me wonder if this falls under the hubris apology Elon made regarding the FWD, like it was a can we do it rather than should we.

 

[MXWing]

It seems unnecessarily over-engineered. Makes me wonder if this falls under the hubris apology Elon made regarding the FWD.

Where was the discussion on the FWD?

I still quite don't know what to think about them despite a month of MX ownership.

 

[EarlyAdopter]

Does anyone know wherever pre-facelift Model S's can accept the HEPA filter?

Nope. The space for the HEPA filter was part of frunk redesign (I.e. the loss of a big chunk of the frunk) on Model S facelifted cars.

The hepa filter seems unnecessarily over-engineered. It's the same size as the filter for my house. Makes me wonder if this falls under the hubris apology Elon made regarding the FWD, like it was a can we do it rather than should we.

Given that Tesla decided to give up a big chunk of the frunk on the Model S, too, to add the HEPA filter on facelifted cars suggests they felt it was worthwhile, for sales if nothing else.

I think the excessive size is necessary to draw in enough air to over-pressure the cabin for Bioweapons Defense Mode.

 

[pilotSteve]

hepa filter is 200 bucks cabin filters 40 called to ask today

Is replacement cost of these two filters included with the pre-paid annual service for cars with PUP?

 

[Gwgan]

I don't know how much difference the size of the filter made since biohazard defense move was not active but there was a very real difference in smelling car exhaust fumes in traffic while the driving a Model S P85+ and not smelling anything in the Model X.

 

[Saghost]

The hepa filter seems unnecessarily over-engineered. It's the same size as the filter for my house. Makes me wonder if this falls under the hubris apology Elon made regarding the FWD, like it was a can we do it rather than should we.

Bigger filters means lower flow velocities, which allows more effective filtering with less pressure differential/power loss. It also means filters that last longer before clogging up. I'm happy with the approach Tesla took, which shows they are taking it seriously rather than just trying to sound cool.

 

[dhanson865]

I was thinking the same, but the instructions to the car indicate otherwise, stating that HEPA is enabled when BioHazard is pressed.

It's not so much that it's "enabled" as it changes the percentage of air going through the HEPA filter from some lower number up to 100%.

You might consider 100% enabled, but to me it's just turned up.

I don't know what percentage of incoming air goes through the HEPA filter at each fan speed but the higher fan speed you choose the more air will go through the HEPA and the less (relative and/or absolute) will come from other intakes (gaps in door seals and such).

 

[polymathic]

I don't know how much difference the size of the filter made since biohazard defense move was not active but there was a very real difference in smelling car exhaust fumes in traffic while the driving a Model S P85+ and not smelling anything in the Model X.

Had the exact same experience with a MS P85 loaner... and realized I hadn't smelled gas fumes once in the MX, with or without Bio enabled.