Can I put any AC refrigerant in my car?

Author: Dr. Julio Kulas Sr.  |  Last update: Saturday, March 15, 2025

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.

Does it matter what refrigerant you use in your car?

Please remember that using the wrong type of refrigerant for your system can create a hazard or cause serious damage so it is very important to get it right. Don't worry though, as AC Avalanche recharge hoses can only work on systems of their respective type, eliminating the risk of using the wrong type.

What happens if you use wrong refrigerant in car AC?

It's very dangerous. Refrigerant compressors are designed for work in certain pressure range. Every refrigerant has different pressure corresponding to the temperature. For instance r134 has higher pressure at ambient than r22. So if this is used, chances are compressor might explode.

Will AutoZone recharge my AC?

An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.

Can I use a different refrigerant in my car?

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 to Recharge Your Car's AC System (Fast and Easy)

What is an alternative to R134a for cars?

Some notable substitutes for R134a [10] in AAC based on the preceding studies are R1234yf [[11], [12], [13], [14]], R1234z (E) [[15], [16], [17]], R152a [[18], [19], [20]], R290 [21,22], R744 [[23], [24], [25]], R430A [26,27], and R444A [28], etc.

Is it OK to mix refrigerants?

If you were to mix refrigerants, it would cause all kinds of damage to your system. Your AC unit would likely overheat. Different refrigerants can be different temperatures. They don't mix, which means you'll have refrigerants with two different temperatures running through your unit.

How much should a car AC recharge cost?

What is the average cost of a car AC recharge? The average cost of a car AC recharge can range from $100 to $300, depending on the vehicle and location.

How to tell if freon is low in AC car?

One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.

Why is my AC not blowing cold air in my car?

Your vehicle's air-conditioning not working is likely caused by a failing compressor or a freon leak. While these are the most obvious reasons for your air-conditioning not working inside your vehicle, it might be anything as simple as a bad belt or a dirty cabin air filter.

Can I recharge my AC in my car myself?

Yes, you can, but you shouldn't. The recharge process is oversimplified by bloggers and YouTubers. You need technical knowledge and tools that only a local auto repair shop has for a successful recharge. Plus, there are some risks in DIY AC system recharging.

What AC refrigerant is illegal?

R22 (also known as HCFC-22) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) once widely used as a refrigerant. If your home or office AC is over 10 years old, it's probably using R22 freon. However, R22 Freon is banned in the U.S. today.

Is it bad to run car AC with low Freon?

While it might be tempting to ignore a slight drop in cooling performance, the risks of running your AC system on low refrigerant are simply not worth it. From compressor damage to frozen evaporator coils, the potential for costly repairs grows with every mile you drive without addressing the issue.

What if I put the wrong refrigerant in my 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.

How many cans of AC refrigerant does a car need?

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 car AC refrigerant so expensive?

While you might think that all air conditioning refrigerant is the same, there are three distinct kinds of car AC Freon: R-12 Freon: Cars produced before 1995 have the most expensive freon, the R-12. Because it has long been phased out, it is low in both demand and availability—driving the price way up.

Can a car lose Freon without a leak?

Freon is contained within your vehicle's AC system, as in completely confined within, so Freon's loss isn't through consumption but through leaks that eventually develop within hoses and connections.

How often does a car AC need to be recharged?

The good news is that recharging your air conditioning system is a relatively simple process — but it's essential to do this regularly. It's recommended that you recharge the air conditioning in your car every two years, to keep the cooling power at its highest. This keeps the refrigerant loss to around 14%.

Why is my car air conditioner blowing hot air?

If your car's air conditioner is blowing hot air, it could be caused by a few different things. The most common culprits are low refrigerant levels or blocked vents. Low refrigerant can be due to a leak in the system that needs to be repaired, or the system simply not being charged properly.

Does O'Reilly put Freon in a car?

While O'Reilly Auto Parts cannot recharge your vehicle's air conditioning system for you, we carry the parts, tools, and helpful resources to help you get the job done right.

How to tell if your car AC just needs to be recharged?

How to Tell if Your Car A/C Needs Recharging
  1. Your car is blowing warm or hot air instead of cold. ...
  2. Your car is visibly leaking refrigerant. ...
  3. The A/C clutch is not engaging. ...
  4. There's a weird smell coming from your vents.

How to tell if a car AC compressor is bad?

Warm Air from the Vents

If the compressor is fine, it will push cold air into the cabin of your vehicle. If you begin to notice warm or even hot air coming out of the vents, this is a clear indication that the compressor is not functioning properly.

Can I mix different brands of R134a?

The different types of refrigerants are not meant to be mixed. The refrigerant charge must be optimized by using the refrigerant's respective pressure-temperature chart.

What refrigerants are illegal?

Chlorofluorocarbons. The production of chlorofluorocarbons, commonly known as CFCs, was banned in the 1990s. The refrigerant, which contains chlorine, has a huge environmental impact. In fact, a 1974 report stated that CFCs would eventually deplete the planet's ozone layer.

Can you add too much refrigerant?

When an air conditioner is overcharged and has too much refrigerant, it can cause a breakdown and permanently damage the compressor. Adding or removing refrigerant from your air conditioner requires specialized training, tools, gauges and scale, recovery bottles, and a special license from the EPA.

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