Which air con gas is right for my car?
Recharging your car’s air conditioning system is a vital part of its maintenance. Without it, your air con system would run out of gas and no longer keep your car cool – and although that might not sound like too much of a problem in the winter, in the summer months you’re likely to need air conditioning much more often.
Don’t forget, your air conditioning can be useful for more than just keeping you cool in summer. It’s also good for helping to demist your car in winter, working alongside your car’s heating system.
What air con gas does my car take?
Your car’s air conditioning system uses a refrigerant gas which cools the air as it passes through the system and out into the cabin of your car. In order for the air con to work as desired, this gas needs to be kept topped up and regularly replaced. If it runs out, starts to get low or is left too long without being refreshed, that’s when problems start to arise such as the air coming out warm.
To avoid that, all you need to do is recharge the air con with refrigerant gas. However, many people don’t realise that there are two different air con gases used in cars on the road today – and it’s important to choose the right one for your car as using the wrong one could damage the system.
Problems with your car’s air conditioning can be caused by the refrigerant getting low or running out, but it’s also possible that they’re caused by the wrong air con gas being used to recharge the system. This is why it’s a good idea to get a qualified mechanic to recharge your air con at your local autocentre, so you can be sure it’s been done right. Even if you’re absolutely certain that the right gas has been used, if you’re noticing problems, it’s important to get the issues checked out as there could be underlying problems such as a leak.
Types of air con gas
Which air con gas is right for your car usually depends on the year it was manufactured – although there are grey areas. The two most commonly used air con gases are:
● R134a – a type of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant that’s been in use in cars since the 1990s. Most cars manufactured before 2013 will use this air con gas.
● R1234yf – this is a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant that is used in most cars made from 2017 onwards.
The main reason why more modern cars use R1234yf instead of its predecessor is that it’s better for the environment. R1234yf has a much lower global warming potential than R134a, so it’s the preferred option in many countries that are trying to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The idea is that the use of R134a will slowly be phased out as older cars start to fail and newer ones become increasingly common.
You may have noticed that R134a is used in cars pre-2013, while R1234yf is used for cars from 2017 onwards… which unfortunately leaves a grey area for cars manufactured between 2013 and 2017. Cars made during these years may use either type of air con gas, so it’s important to check which one your car uses. Fortunately, there are three ways you can do this:
● Check the vehicle handbook
● Look at the labels on the air con unit under the bonnet
● Ask a qualified mechanic to check for you
How often to recharge car air conditioning
Lots of people don’t realise that recharging air conditioning is even a thing, let alone know how often they’re supposed to do it. Your vehicle handbook can provide details on this, but as a general rule, it’s advisable to have your car air conditioning system recharged once every two years.
That means that if you bought your car two or more years ago and you’ve never had the air con recharged, you’re more than due to have it done now. It’s a good idea to get it done as soon as possible, particularly when the summer months are approaching, so you can be sure that it’ll be in good working order the next time you use it. Some people also opt to have the air con system professionally cleaned at the same time, which can help to remove musty odours from disuse.
Does a car service include air conditioning?
Part of your car’s service involves checking the temperature of your air conditioning, which may indicate that a recharge is needed if the system is blowing hot air. However, your mechanic wouldn’t usually take an in-depth look at your air conditioning system to check for damage or other performance issues during a service – so it’s not necessarily the case that nothing being flagged on the service means everything’s fine.
Because of this, if you do notice any problems with your car’s air conditioning, it’s a good idea to take it into the garage to be inspected, rather than just waiting for your next service. And remember, services are all about spotting any problems with your vehicle, not solving them. If your mechanic tells you that your air con needs recharging, you’ll need to have that done separately to the service. So, to be clear, your car’s service may let you know if your air con needs to be recharged, but it won’t include recharging it for you and you may still need to get your system checked for damage or wear.
