How Often Should a Car's Refrigerant Be Recharged?

[DiMatthew]

The frequency depends on the cooling performance. Generally, it is recommended to have the air conditioning system inspected or the refrigerant topped up every 2 years, with a complete refrigerant replacement every 5 years. Checking the evaporator for refrigerant recharge: After running the system for about ten minutes, open the indoor unit panel. The evaporator should be evenly covered with condensation (like dew) under normal conditions. If only half is covered, it may indicate a refrigerant shortage. Checking the valves for refrigerant recharge: After running the system for about ten minutes, feel the valves with your hand. The outdoor unit has two copper valves—one connected to the thick copper pipe and the other to the thin copper pipe. There should be a temperature difference between the two valves; the thick pipe should be cooler than the thin one. If the outdoor unit does not feel warm, it may indicate a refrigerant shortage.