Does it matter what kind of freon you put in your car? So, a good rule of thumb is
if you own a vehicle that is newer than 1995 your engine should take R135a refrigerant
, but if you have a vehicle older than 1995 you are going to be purchasing R12 refrigerant. If you are still concerned you might be using the wrong refrigerant, look under the hood.
Can I use any type of freon on my car?
The most common refrigerant is R-134A (or HFC-134a) however
newer vehicles may use R-1234YF (or HFO-1234yf)
. Even still, some very old vehicles may also be using R-12 (or Freon). The easiest way to know is to check your vehicles A/C system nameplate under the hood.
What kind of Freon should I use in my car?
R134a Freon
: Vehicles Manufactured Between 1995 and 2021
The majority of vehicles on the road today use R134a to fuel their air conditioning systems.
How do you know what freon to use?
What happens if you put the wrong refrigerant in your car?
You cannot mix refrigerant types, and putting the wrong refrigerant in your car
will cause damage to the air conditioning system
! If you’re not sure which kind of refrigerant your vehicle takes, DIY A/C charging may not be for you.
Do I need a specific Freon for my car?
So, a good rule of thumb is
if you own a vehicle that is newer than 1995 your engine should take R135a refrigerant
, but if you have a vehicle older than 1995 you are going to be purchasing R12 refrigerant. If you are still concerned you might be using the wrong refrigerant, look under the hood.
Is there a difference between 134A and R134a?
Basically
the difference in the two relates to how the atoms are attached in forming the chemical compound
. R134a is an (and in this case, the only other) isotope, it is designated with the letter “a”. The same type and amounts of atoms are used……..they are just attached differently (CF3-CH2F) is all.
How do I know what air con gas I need?
One sure way to find out which gas your vehicle takes is to
lift the bonnet and look for a stick which either says R134a or 1234yf
and that will determine which one is correct for your vehicle.
How do I know if my car is R12 or R134a?
To tell if it has been converted you can
look for a sticker on the unit under the hood
, which would indicate that it is R134a. And you can also look for R134a adapters, which would be located on the charge parts.
Can you mix R134a and R1234yf?
No, you cannot put R-134a into a HFO-1234yf system
; here’s why…
Can you mix Freon brands?
Carter Volkswagen Auto Care FAQs: Can You Mix Automotive A/C Refrigerant Types? In short, the answer is, “No!” Automotive refrigerants are volatile compounds that can have a negative effect on the environment.
Combining them can have adverse effects, and cause damage to your car’s A/C system
.
How much R134a does my car need?
Most newer passenger car A/C systems do not hold much refrigerant (only 14 to 28 oz.), so you don’t want to add too much if the system is low.
One can of R-134a typically holds 12 oz. of refrigerant
. 11.
How do you know if your car AC is low on Freon?
- Your A/C is Blowing Warm Air. One of the most obvious symptoms of low Freon levels is if your air conditioner is blowing warm or room temperature air. …
- Listen For The A/C Clutch to Engage. …
- Visible Refrigerant Leaks. …
- Your A/C is Blowing Warm Air. …
- Listen For The A/C Clutch to Engage. …
- Visible Refrigerant Leaks.
Will AutoZone recharge my AC?
If you need help performing this, or any AC recharge or service, check out our list of preferred shops in your area that can help. Or, if you’d like to tackle the job yourself,
AutoZone has all the tools and refrigerant to service your R-134A or R-12 vehicle
.
How many cans of freon does a car take?
Most cars hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about
2—3 12oz cans
), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely hold more. Check your vehicle manual for the system capacity for your specific vehicle.
Why is my car AC blowing hot air after putting freon in it?
The most common cause of an AC system blowing warm air is a
lack of refrigerant
, though, you may also have a problem with your condenser. Other possibilities include a faulty compressor, broken cooling fans, or an issue in your electrical system.
Are there different types of Freon?
There are many different types of refrigerant used in a variety of refrigeration products, but for air conditioning systems,
there are two main types; R-22 or more commonly known as Freon, and R410A, also known as Puron
.
How many different types of Freon are there?
Can you mix Freon and 134a?
Can you still buy R134a?
The sales restriction covers refrigerants contained in cylinders, cans, or drums,
except for the sale of small cans of substitute refrigerants
(e.g., R-134a for use in motor vehicle air conditioners).
What Freon is compatible with 134a?
There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a:
R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-744
.
How often should a car AC be recharged?
How often should you recharge your air-con? Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you service or regas your car’s air conditioning system
every 1-2 years
.
How long does car AC gas last?
How often should AC gas be refilled?
If you use an AC unit carefully, it may run for
10-12 years
without requiring a gas refill. However, the actual output will be affected by usage. It is better if you sign up with a reputed AC service and repair company for yearly maintenance. This way, you will be able to detect leakage and reduce its possibility.
Can you still buy R12 refrigerant?
R12 Refrigerant Today
It is illegal to manufacture new R12, but
it is not illegal to sell or use R12
. And many of the cylinders and cans of Freon R-12 sold for decades throughout the United States are still around.
Can you top off R12 with R134a?
No. Federal law prohibits topping off an R12 system with a different refrigerant
. Your options are to locate some R12, however you must be certified to purchase, and add it with an R-12 recharge hose.
How do I change from R12 to 134a?
What happens if you use R134a instead of R1234yf?
The mixing of R-134a with R-1234yf will
change refrigerant pressure and may result in evaporator freeze-up on pressure control systems, reducing system airflow
. If you’re a service professional and not a MACS member yet, you should be!
What cars use 1234yf refrigerant?
Is R1234yf colder than R134a?
What happens if you mix different types of freon?
What Happens to Your AC System if You Mix Refrigerants? Mixed refrigerants can cause
increased system pressures and temperatures changing them for the worse
. This can result in ineffective compressor cooling and possible compressor damage, ineffective cooling, and metering device malfunction.
What is the difference between R134a and 12a?
Why R134a is not used in AC?
R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak
. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn’t cool as well as R12. In addition, there was the lubricant issue. Because A/C compressors have moving parts, they require oil.
Can you mix different types of Freon?
In short, the answer is, “No!” Automotive refrigerants are volatile compounds that can have a negative effect on the environment.
Combining them can have adverse effects, and cause damage to your car’s A/C system
.
Can you mix Freon and 134a?
Mixing the two will not cause a huge explosion as some people claim, but it’s not a good idea nonetheless
. The two chemical compounds are completely different and will cause what is called a black death – a black coating on the interior of the entire air conditioning system due to a heat-induced chemical reaction.
What type of air con gas does my car need?
How do I know which air con gas I require?
R134A gas is common in vehicles manufactured before 2014
. All vehicles with air conditioning manufactured since 1st January 2017 include the new R1234YF air con gas which is more environmentally friendly.
