Types of refrigerant gas for your vehicle
Tuesday 26th September 2023
What is air con regassing?
An air con re-gas is the process of removing old refrigerant gas from your air conditioning system and replacing it with new refrigerant. This helps to ensure your air con remains running cold and is the first thing you should look at if your air conditioning system doesn’t blow as cold as it should. Here at Formula One Autocentres, we offer an air con re-gas service to ensure your vehicle's air-conditioning system is working efficiently all year round.
How does an air conditioning system work?
A vehicle’s air con system works by pushing the refrigerant gas through the system using the compressor and condenser. This then changes the temperature by drawing out warm air from the vehicle, while circulating cool air inside.
What are the different types of refrigerant gas?
An air con re-gas service is required for each type of refrigerant used inside of your vehicle. We recommend your air conditioning system is recharged every 2 years by a professional after consulting your owner’s manual to find out what refrigerant your car uses before going for a service.
It is important to be aware that different refrigerant types for your vehicle should not be mixed. There are three commonly known refrigerant gases for your vehicle, these include:
R-12 (Freon)
This is the original and oldest refrigerant gas but was replaced due to the damage it has been causing to the Ozone layer. Vehicles manufactured before 1995 may still have R-12 fitted. For some models of this time, the R-12 systems may have been retrofitted to R-134a as it is more readily available and better for the environment.
R-134a (HFC-134a)
R134a refrigerant gas was the most commonly used refrigerant gas, until being phased out in 2017. Though it is not considered as harmful to the environment as R-12, the effects are still damaging. Vehicles manufactured after 1994 but before 2012 may still use R-134a.
R-1234yf (HFO-1234yf)
This is a new, environmentally-friendly air conditioning system refrigerant gas. Passenger vehicles purchased from 2014 onwards use R-1234, with all other cars and light goods vehicles switching to this refrigerant gas from January 2017.
This refrigerant gas is better for the environment and is used at your local Formula One Autocentre to re-gas your air con system.
How does a Re-gas work?
A fully trained technician will start by taking a temperature reading from your air con system. The old refrigerant gas, dye and oil will be removed so that the whole system can be cleaned, withdrawing any moisture within. New oil, dye and refrigerant gas will be injected, and a new temperature reading will take place to check whether the re-gas has made a difference to the cool air temperature.
Find out how to spot the signs of a faulty air conditioning system here. Alternatively, find out more about our air conditioning services here at Formula One Autocentres or simply contact our helpful technicians today.
