PIUs - Ford Develops Software To Bake Away Coronavirus In Police Vehicles

[PlatinumOwner]

“The new software is initially being rolled out on the Explorer-based Police Interceptor utility from 2013-2019. On 2016 and later models, pressing a specific sequence of cruise control buttons will activate the heat soak. On 2013-2015 models, a diagnostic tool can be plugged in to activate it. When enabled, the engine runs at higher than normal idle speed to get the coolant up to the operating temperature of 190-200 degrees quickly.”

“The engineers modified the software in the powertrain control and body control computers to enable a new heat soak mode.”

“Hazard lights and taillights will flash in a pre-set pattern to notify when the process has begun, then will change at the end to signal completion. The vehicle’s instrument cluster will also indicate progress. A cool-down process brings the temperature down from its highest points.”

Ford Develops Software To Bake Away Coronavirus In Police Vehicles

Beginning in late-March, engineers at Ford went to work to try to find ways to reduce the exposure of officers to the virus.

www.forbes.com

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/05/27/ford-heated-sanitization-software-police-vehicles-coronavirus.html

 

[Mbrooks420]

That diagram is bananas. Too bad you’d already have shared an airspace with any unsavories in the back. A positive air system for the front half of the cab would be much more effective.

 

[Mbrooks420]

This is also an old, old idea. Food service plants have been doing this for 50 years.

 

[turbo2ltr]

I follow the city of Santa Barbra Fleet Management on youtube and they posted a video about this update. Then did the same thing with a malibu and a crown vic just by turning the heat on. Not sure why they needed any special software for this. Just turn the heat on and leave it running for 90 minutes.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I think it’s the high idle, and notifications and other features that make it a software thing. Hell, a lot of places you just need to roll the windows up and you’ll easily reach those temps.

 

[jmr061]

Wonder when its below zero in the cold winter states how those tests would perform.

 

[Josh P]

I think it’s the high idle, and notifications and other features that make it a software thing. Hell, a lot of places you just need to roll the windows up and you’ll easily reach those temps.

I don't think my heater gets as hot as the ambient air temp when the windows are rolled up during the summer.

 

[peterk9]

I don't think my heater gets as hot as the ambient air temp when the windows are rolled up during the summer.

I believe he is referring to the heat build up in the vehicle caused by the sun, not the heater.

Peter

 

[Mbrooks420]

This.

 

[Bobs2018ExplorerSport]

Does the guy in the Santa Barbara demonstration video ("Angel") realize that wearing his mask BELOW his nose (and only covering his mouth) renders his wearing of a mask totally useless? Yikes!

 

[Marauderleader]

This has to be installed via IDS and, only the 16-19 MY can run stand alone, 13-15 need the PC and IDS interface installed in the vehicle to run this, additionally, ALL the interceptor sedans (any MY) needs the computer and IDS plugged in to accomplish this task. Run time is approximately 2 hours.