Feature Request - Overheat Protection

[Mach-Lee]

Have the A/C automatically run when the cabin temp gets above 122ºF/50ºC to protect the displays and interior components from overheating damage. Less failed displays. This will also reduce the amount of time it takes to cool down the cabin when departing and will allow BlueCruise to work more reliably in extreme climates (the front camera can overheat). This feature can be invisible/built in and completely automatic, but it needs to function while unplugged.

Optionally, give the customer the option to lower the setting if desired (down to 95ºF or something) for use in more mild climates.

Also have the battery automatically cool itself while unplugged if it gets above 113ºF/45ºC. Needing to plug in to keep the battery cool is is a bother for extreme climate dwellers.

Yes it takes some battery to do the above, I don't mind if my % goes down a couple while parked during the day. Phantom drain concerns are typically overblown, it would only use ~5% per day, and realistically the only time it's an issue is if you park at an airport for a week. In that case, automatically disable overheat protection if the car has been parked unplugged for more than two days. And disable overheat protection when the battery is less than 15% so it doesn't drain completely.

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[generaltso]

I’m all for it as long as we can choose to turn it off.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Have the A/C automatically run when the cabin temp gets above 122ºF/50ºC to protect the displays and interior components from overheating damage. Less failed displays. This will also reduce the amount of time it takes to cool down the cabin when departing and will allow BlueCruise to work more reliably in extreme climates (the front camera can overheat). This feature can be invisible/built in and completely automatic, but it needs to function while unplugged.

Optionally, give the customer the option to lower the setting if desired (down to 95ºF or something) for use in more mild climates.

Also have the battery automatically cool itself while unplugged if it gets above 113ºF/45ºC. Needing to plug in to keep the battery cool is is a bother for extreme climate dwellers.

Yes it takes some battery to do the above, I don't mind if my % goes down a couple while parked during the day. Phantom drain concerns are typically overblown, it would only use ~5% per day, and realistically the only time it's an issue is if you park at an airport for a week. In that case, automatically disable overheat protection if the car has been parked unplugged for more than two days. And disable overheat protection when the battery is less than 15% so it doesn't drain completely.

You realize Ford’s software peeps aren’t good at these kinds of conditionals, right? ??

I live in an area where the temperature doesn’t get extreme, but I would be in favor of this for people who live in those kinds of environments. ??

 

[macchiaz-o]

Keeping the cabin comfortable seems like a lost cause here in Phoenix, for the typical person who parks a car for an 8-10 hour work day. The car would be battling unending heat from the sun and concrete, especially for the cabin which is a greenhouse.

I'd like to see an option in which the car prolongs the usable life of the battery and its related electronics, even when unplugged. Basically what you described except without trying to control the cabin.

 

[azerik]

You realize Ford’s software peeps aren’t good at these kinds of conditionals, right? ??

I live in an area where the temperature doesn’t get extreme, but I would be in favor of this for people who live in those kinds of environments. ??

What's new in this power up?
You asked, we listened!
Automatic heating of the cabin when over 100 degrees. We're so confident you'll love this feature we took away any control you have!

Reality on this forum: "Hey my heater keeps turning my car into a torch and draining my battery all day long in Arizona. I think it happened after the last PowerUp. I have no climate controls while driving but they're on when the car is turned off. All my radio presets changed again"

 

[Mach-Lee]

Keeping the cabin comfortable seems like a lost cause here in Phoenix, for the typical person who parks a car for an 8-10 hour work day. The car would be battling unending heat from the sun and concrete, especially for the cabin which is a greenhouse.

I'd like to see an option in which the car prolongs the usable life of the battery and its related electronics, even when unplugged. Basically what you described except without trying to control the cabin.

Yeah, it would be nice if it always monitored and prioritized battery cooling, I agree that should come first.

Desert climate presents a challenge for the cabin temp control. Where I live it wouldn't take much energy to keep the cabin below 120ºF all day, but there it would be tough. But even running the fan with no A/C to push the hot air out would be an improvement. How hot does it get in your car there? My peak is 140ºF.

For the cabin they just need to set a high enough limit or make it optional.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Yeah, it would be nice if it always monitored and prioritized battery cooling, I agree that should come first.

Desert climate presents a challenge for the cabin temp control. Where I live it wouldn't take much energy to keep the cabin below 120ºF all day, but there it would be tough. But even running the fan with no A/C to push the hot air out would be an improvement. How hot does it get in your car there? My peak is 140ºF.

For the cabin they just need to set a high enough limit or make it optional.

Not sure how accurate it is, but I leave a cheap analog probe thermometer in the vehicle. I think the highest I've noticed is also around 140. I was surprised it wasn't higher. If I use an infrared thermometer to read specific surface temperatures, though, then I do see larger numbers but only for things receiving direct sunlight.

As long as the materials and electronics were selected appropriately for the max temps, then things should be fine. As we know though, that's not always the case, or manufacturing variances can ruin the day.

During hotter months, I use a high quality sunshade every time I park the car at work, but even with that plus tinted side windows, the adhesive used for one of the steering wheel controls couldn't handle this July's constant heat. Now it's bubbled up, feels sharp under my finger, and bits are starting to crack off of it.

I'll try to get it repaired but stuff like this is really disappointing.

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