Getting into your car on a hot summer day will allow you to truly appreciate having a fully functional air conditioning system. Check your air conditioning system to make sure you have enough cold air to dissipate the heat and stay comfortable throughout the summer.
The first thing you need to know before charging your car's air conditioning system is the type of refrigerant your system requires. Because of their environmental impact, older refrigerants have been phased out in favor of cleaner options. The most common refrigerant is R-134A (or HFC-134a), but newer vehicles may use R-1234YF (or HFO-1234yf). Even so, some very old vehicles may use R-12s (or freon).
The easiest way to know is to check the nameplate of the vehicle's air conditioning system under the hood. If for some reason you can't find the nameplate, you can also call your brand's dealer and ask them to look it up for you. However, with older cars, you may want to check yourself as the system is being refitted to newer gas types. Here we are to help you explain.
R-134a (also known as HFC-134a)
If you're reading this article, chances are your vehicle uses R-134a. It's the most common gas, but it still damages the environment and is being phased out. If your vehicle was built after 1994 but before 2014, you most likely need an R-134a. R-134a Inflatable hoses can only be used on R-134a systems, so this can also help you determine the type of gas you need.
R-1234yf (also known as HFO-1234yf)
If your vehicle was purchased from 2014 to the present, you most likely need R-1234yf refrigerant. As with the older system, the R-134a charging hose does not work with the R-1234yf coupler. This refrigerant is better for the environment. R-1234yf Vehicles that are over 4-6 years old or have been in accidents may begin to leak refrigerant.
R-12 (also called Freon)
R-12 is the oldest and primitive refrigerant for air conditioning, but was replaced due to the damage it caused to the ozone layer. If your model was made before 1995, your system may contain an R-12. Some R-12 systems may also have been converted to R-134a. In this case, you can see it on the TAB under the hood. Finally, when all else fails, check the service port. R-12 and R-134a use different sized connectors, so R-134a charging hoses are not suitable for R-12 service ports. If your vehicle uses R12 refrigerant, it is recommended that you consider converting it to R-134a, which is better for the environment and easier to purchase.