Things To Know About Your Car From Capitol Subaru: Automotive A/C Refrigerant

 

4. What's Your Type?

There are basically three different kinds of A/C refrigerant systems on road-going cars today. A few classic cars may still be equipped with systems that run on R12 refrigerant, which has been known to cause significant harm to the atmosphere, so it's not in common use anymore. Most vehicles on the road today are using the safer R134a refrigerant. The latest vehicles are equipped to run on an even safer, more environmentally friendly R1234yf refrigerant.

Why is this important? Because you have to know what kind of refrigerant your car is running on before you can refill the system. Putting the wrong type of refrigerant in the system would ruin the compressor, and cause major damage.

 

3. Why AC Systems Run Out Of Refrigerant

Over time, a little bit of A/C system refrigerant will naturally leak out of seals on the compressor. This is by design. The leak is so slow that your system will work for years and years. The vehicle may never need the system recharged! But if it does, that's a common and affordable procedure to ensure your A/C system continues to blow nice and cold for those hot summer months.

2. Why Professional A/C System Service Matters

Properly filling a car's A/C system with refrigerant is done by measuring the weight of the refrigerant going in, and the pressure of the system as it's charging. And you can't just vent old refrigerants to the atmosphere. They should be recaptured and recycled. That means using the proper tools and instruments for accurate readings -- tools most people don't have easy access to at home. That's why it pays to get your Subaru repaired and maintained at Capitol. With our dealership-grade tools and experienced technicians, we can recharge your car's A/C system the right way, the first time you visit.

 

1. How Often Will You Need The Refrigerant Recharged?

Unfortunately, there's no way to predict when your vehicle will need it's system recharged. All vehicles will run out of refrigerant at different rates, depending on the individual conditions a vehicle faces. As soon as the performance of your vehicle's A/C system starts to leave something to be desired, it's probably time to have the system checked out by the pros. Visit our service center at Capitol Subaru and we'll recharge the system if needed.