HVAC decontamination mode?

[BQst]

Hi Everyone,

Saw this article:

Ford heats police cars to 133 degrees to break down coronavirus

They're basically heating the interior of the car to 133 degrees for 15 minutes to kill viruses. This seems like a useful feature for transporting vulnerable individuals right now and also during future flu seasons? Might also be useful for the planned Tesla ride sharing system?

Does anyone know if we can achieve 133 degrees by setting the HVAC to max? Perhaps Tesla can add a one touch "decontamination" mode in a future software update? Would be cool to have a "decontamination" mode in addition to the bioweapon defense mode.

Ben

Edit: Could also be useful for healthcare workers?

 

[FreshPrince]

Ford only enabled this feature for Police cars - it is not available to general public. I expect it remains this way for longevity and reliability reasons.

 

[BQst]

Ford only enabled this feature for Police cars - it is not available to general public. I expect it remains this way for longevity and reliability reasons.

If it's just for 15 minutes, will that really hurt the hvac? And aren't cars spec'ed to handle death valley's 130 degree temps?

Not saying you're wrong, just not familiar with reasons why a decontamination mode would have a significant impact on longevity or reliability.

Thanks.

Ben

 

[outdoors]

If it's just for 15 minutes, will that really hurt the hvac? And aren't cars spec'ed to handle death valley's 130 degree temps?

Not saying you're wrong, just not familiar with reasons why a decontamination mode would have a significant impact on longevity or reliability.

Thanks.

Ben

They adjust the idle to keep the RPM's high to accelerate the heating process. Wonder what it will be like in the mid winter in Sault Saint Marie?

Why Ford is heating inside of police SUVs to 133 degrees
Ford noted that engineers tested factory-built Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. Ambient temperature, installation of partitions or other upfit equipment such as radio systems, computers, and other electronic safety and lifesaving equipment common to police vehicles may impede temperatures from reaching the recommended threshold, Ford said. The impact of high temperatures on the vehicle interior or its electrical equipment was not part of the study, Kraft confirmed.


So Ford has no idea what it will do to the thousands of dollars of equipment that is in a cruiser, and if it even works with all the partitions in a police cruiser. Which means if it were my squad car I would like the deep clean.

 

[BQst]

Wow, that's disappointing. Appreciate the insight!

Ben

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Damn that sucks for the Preps.