How To Recharge Auto Air Conditioning

Having a properly working air conditioner is your best friend during hot weather. However, when your air conditioner is not producing those bone-chilling temperatures on demand, the answer may be to perform a relatively simple re-charge with an approved refrigerant. 

1. Exercise precautions by wearing safety glasses or goggles and gloves. This is a must. Refrigerants can burn the skin and eyes.


2. Determine the type of refrigerant your car requires. The refrigerant for vehicles built from 1995 to current is R134a. No other type may be used. For vehicles built prior to 1994, the refrigerant is R12. Unfortunately, this refrigerant cannot be used by the ’home mechanic’. It is extremely expensive and only sold to professional repair shops. R134a may also be used, however modifications to the vehicle must be made.


3. Find the fittings on the air conditioner system - you will need this location to complete the re-charge process. There are two  (LOW and HIGH). The LOW side fitting is attached to the suction hose or compressor. The HIGH side fitting goes from the compressor to the condenser.


4. Adhere the service hose (LOW) with valve to the can of refrigerant.


5. Puncture the top of the can by turning the valve on the service hose.


6. Release a small amount of the refrigerant into the hose - this can be accomplished by simply turning the valve back out- do this carefully and slowly.


7. Avoid any additional refrigerant leakage by quickly connecting the free end of the service hose to the LOW side fitting (this leads to the compressor). This can be accomplished by positioning the refrigerant can ‘upright’. Only the vapor should be released, NOT the liquid.


8. Crank the engine and turn the air conditioner to the maximum setting.


9. Release the valve on the service hose - this allows the refrigerant vapor to flow from the can to the air conditioning system. The process may take as long as 10 minutes. Cool air will begin to replace warm air.