Does a car need refrigerant refill?
4 Answers
The car's air conditioning system requires refrigerant (Freon) refill. When the AC operates continuously but bubbles persist in the sight glass of the AC pipeline, it indicates insufficient refrigerant level. Refrigerant replenishment is needed under these two scenarios: 1. If the air vent temperature cannot drop below 16°C. 2. When achieving below 16°C takes excessively long (over 5-6 minutes). Precautions: Before refilling, always check for leaks using manifold gauge set to measure high/low pressures. Poor cooling performance usually indicates refrigerant leakage, which should be inspected promptly.
I've been driving for over ten years and have gone through three or four cars. Adding refrigerant for AC cooling is indeed necessary, but it depends on the situation. Normally, the car's AC system is sealed, so as long as it hasn't been damaged in a collision or developed leaks, it shouldn't need any attention for seven or eight years. Last summer, when I was driving my old Bora, I felt the cooling wasn't strong enough. After checking at the repair shop, they found the pipe joints had aged and were leaking Freon. The mechanic suggested replacing the entire system, but I thought just adding refrigerant could buy me another two years. The specific type varies by car model—older cars mostly use R134a refrigerant, while newer models tend to use the more environmentally friendly R1234yf. Mixing them up can damage the compressor. When using the AC, it's important to open the windows for a few minutes before turning on the cooling in summer. This habit can extend the AC's lifespan.
I only realized from the mechanics' chat that car refrigerant recharge isn't a routine maintenance item. Many think it's like charging a phone and needs annual top-ups, but a well-sealed AC system can last over five years. That day when helping my neighbor diagnose his AC not cooling, we found micro-perforations in the condenser from road debris. These slow leaks are the hardest to detect - requires UV fluorescent dye for precise location. Pricing is chaotic too, ranging from 100+ RMB at small shops to 400-500 at professional centers, mainly differing in equipment standards. Those roadside stalls doing direct canister fills are actually hazardous; proper procedure requires vacuuming and pressure testing, with the recharge alone taking half an hour. Important reminder: always check used car AC vent temperature during handover - below 10°C is acceptable.
Last month, my cousin, a new driver, encountered a problem with his car—the AC wasn't cooling in the hot weather. I accompanied him to check and found it was due to low refrigerant levels. Actually, diagnosing it was quite simple: turn the AC to max cooling, feel the low-pressure pipe—if it's icy cold, it's normal; if it's warm, it definitely lacks refrigerant. I remember his Golf 7 required R134a refrigerant, with a filling amount of about 550 grams. I also took the opportunity to teach him how to read the AC pressure gauge—the blue and red needles should be in the green zone for safety. It's important to mention the environmental issue: don't release Freon indiscriminately, as those auto repair shops' recycling equipment has refrigerant regeneration functions. Now, both cars at home have no AC issues. The lesson learned is to run the AC for ten minutes before summer each year to prevent the seals from drying out and cracking.
