How often should a private car have its refrigerant recharged?

2 Answers
AidenLee
07/28/25 2:33pm
Private cars generally need to have their refrigerant recharged every five to eight years. Here are the methods to determine whether a car's air conditioning system needs a refrigerant recharge: 1. Continuous bubbles in the sight glass: When the air conditioning is running normally and continuously, if there are continuous bubbles in the sight glass, it indicates insufficient refrigerant and a need for recharge. 2. No bubbles in the sight glass: When the air conditioning is running normally and continuously, if there are no bubbles in the sight glass, and no temporary bubbles appear when the air conditioning stops, it indicates an excessive amount of refrigerant and a need for discharge. 3. Temporary bubbles appear when the air conditioning stops: When the air conditioning is running normally and continuously, if there are no bubbles in the sight glass, but temporary bubbles appear when the air conditioning stops, it indicates the refrigerant level is normal.
Was this review help?
5
1
Share
RoseRose
08/11/25 10:34pm
I've been driving private cars for over 20 years, and my experience tells me that adding refrigerant to the air conditioning system doesn't need to be done at fixed intervals. It's only necessary when there's a system leak or when the cooling effect noticeably deteriorates. Generally, new cars won't have any issues for 5 to 8 years. My own old car only had refrigerant added once in 10 years, and that was only when the air coming out wasn't warm enough. Mechanics often say not to fall for sales pitches—some shops claim you need to add refrigerant every year just to make extra money, but in reality, checking the system's seals and pressure is what matters. With stricter environmental regulations now, overcharging with refrigerant can pollute the environment and may even lead to fines. So, I recommend simply testing the AC performance before summer—if it's working fine, save your money. Regular maintenance of the condenser and filters while driving can extend the system's lifespan, which is much more cost-effective than unnecessary refrigerant top-ups. Don’t mess around with adding refrigerant unnecessarily.
Was this review help?
18
3
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What are the consequences of not handling an electronic traffic violation within 30 days?

The consequence of not handling an electronic traffic violation within 30 days is the imposition of late fees. Drivers are required to pay the fine within 15 days of receiving the ticket. If the payment is overdue, a late fee of 3% will be calculated starting from the 16th day, but the late fee will not exceed the total amount of the fine. If the violation was caught on the spot by a traffic officer and confirmed with a signature, the vehicle owner must go to the local traffic police station to handle the violation within 15 days. For violations captured by electronic surveillance cameras, the owner can check the violation record on the traffic website and may go to the local traffic police station to handle the violation within one month before the annual vehicle inspection, rather than within 15 days. However, it is important to try not to exceed the scoring cycle of a driver's license to avoid accumulating 12 penalty points in the next scoring cycle due to not clearing the points in time.
4
5
Share

Can You Drive with Engine Oil 1cm Above the Maximum Level?

You should not drive with engine oil 1cm above the maximum level. Both too much or too little engine oil can damage the engine. If the excess amount is significant, it is best to drain some out. Consequences of engine oil exceeding the maximum level by 1cm: Excessive engine oil increases the engine's operating resistance, leading to reduced power and increased fuel consumption. Additionally, too much oil can result in more oil entering the combustion chamber, which may cause carbon buildup on the cylinder walls, reduce lubrication effectiveness, and in severe cases, damage the cylinder walls. While lubrication itself is not an issue with excess oil—whether from the oil pump pressure or the oil splashed by the crankshaft—some oil may remain un-scraped in the cylinder and burn along with the gasoline, leading to oil burning. Burning oil can cause exhaust emissions to fail standards and negatively impact the lifespan of the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor. Furthermore, the increased resistance on the crankshaft can make the vehicle feel sluggish, reduce acceleration, and increase fuel consumption. Precautions for adding engine oil: When adding oil, ensure the amount is slightly below the mark on the dipstick. Engine oil is crucial for engine operation as it performs the dual functions of lubrication and heat dissipation. Therefore, the engine should never run low on oil. However, overfilling can have adverse effects. Choose oil viscosity based on the engine's condition. If the engine is in good condition and the ambient temperature is low, use lower-viscosity oil. If the engine is heavily worn and the temperature is high, opt for higher-viscosity oil.
5
5
Share

Do I need to display the compulsory traffic insurance decal in 2020?

In 2020, if electronic insurance policies have been implemented in your local area, it is not necessary to display the compulsory traffic insurance decal on your vehicle. However, if electronic policies have not yet been implemented, the decal must be displayed. According to Article 95 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: If a motor vehicle driven on the road does not display the inspection qualification mark or insurance mark, or does not carry the vehicle license or driver's license, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the motor vehicle, notify the party to provide the corresponding license, mark, or complete the necessary procedures, and may impose penalties in accordance with Article 90 of this Law (a warning or a fine of not less than 20 yuan but not more than 200 yuan). Compulsory Traffic Insurance for Automobiles: The full name of compulsory traffic insurance is "Compulsory Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents." It is a mandatory liability insurance where the insurance company compensates for personal injuries, deaths, and property losses of victims (excluding vehicle occupants and the insured) caused by road traffic accidents involving the insured motor vehicle, within the liability limits. The premium is based on the nationally unified standard rates. However, the price of compulsory traffic insurance varies for different vehicle types, primarily influenced by the number of seats. Compared to the more than 20 exemption clauses in commercial third-party liability insurance, the compulsory traffic insurance's exemption scope covers losses caused by intentional acts of the victim, the insured's own property losses, related arbitration and litigation costs, and some indirect losses caused by accidents, with a much broader coverage. Moreover, regardless of whether the insured vehicle is at fault in an accident, compulsory traffic insurance will provide compensation within the liability limits, with no deductible or exemption. Introduction to Electronic Insurance Policies An electronic insurance policy refers to a digital policy issued by an insurance company to clients using digital signature software and enterprise digital certificates that comply with the PKI system, bearing the electronic signature of the insurance company. An insurance policy, abbreviated as a policy, is the formal written proof of an insurance contract between the insurer and the insured. The policy must fully record the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both parties to the insurance contract. The content recorded in the policy serves as the basis for both parties to fulfill the contract. The policy is proof of the establishment of the insurance contract. Advantages of Electronic Insurance Policies: Saves paper resources, eliminating the need to print insurance proof decals; Time-saving and convenient, unrestricted by time or location, with information universally accessible online anytime, quickly and easily; Allows for reissuance and resending, eliminating worries about loss. If a paper version is needed offline, it can be printed or mailed; Facilitates management, as electronic unification makes it easier for insurance companies and traffic police departments to manage the insurance information of various vehicles.
16
5
Share

How Many Gears Does a Continuously Variable Transmission Have?

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) does not have specific gears. Here is an extended introduction: 1. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, which can achieve continuously variable transmission ratios, allowing the engine to perform at its best, making it an ideal transmission form. As the name suggests, it does not have clearly defined gears. 2. The CVT system mainly includes basic components such as the driving pulley set, driven pulley set, metal belt, and hydraulic pump. 3. When the car starts, the working radius of the driving pulley is small, allowing the transmission to obtain a larger transmission ratio, ensuring that the drive axle has sufficient torque to provide high acceleration. As the speed increases, the working radius of the driving pulley gradually decreases, while the working radius of the driven pulley increases accordingly, causing the CVT's transmission ratio to decrease, enabling the car to travel at higher speeds.
7
3
Share

What is the penalty for overloading by one person?

5-seater vehicle overloading by one person results in a 6-point deduction. Driving a commercial passenger vehicle exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, or driving other passenger vehicles exceeding the approved capacity by more than 20%, will result in a one-time 6-point penalty. Driving a commercial passenger vehicle exceeding the approved capacity by more than 20% will result in a one-time 12-point penalty. Regulations on illegal loading: Road passenger vehicles must not exceed the approved passenger capacity, except for children exempted from tickets according to regulations. When the passenger capacity is full, the number of exempted children must not exceed 10% of the approved passenger capacity. The cargo compartment of a freight vehicle must not carry passengers. On urban roads, freight motor vehicles may carry 1 to 5 temporary workers in the cargo compartment if there is a safe space available. When the height of the cargo exceeds the sides of the compartment, no one is allowed on the cargo. The rear seat of a motorcycle must not carry minors under 12 years old, and light motorcycles must not carry passengers. Consequences of illegal loading: Illegal overloading not only severely damages road and bridge facilities but also easily causes traffic accidents, endangering public safety and property. It also seriously disrupts the transportation market order. Overloaded vehicles are in a state of long-term overloading, with lower safety performance in braking and operation, making them prone to tire blowouts, brake failures, broken leaf springs, and axle fractures, posing serious safety hazards. According to statistics, over 80% of road accidents involving heavy trucks are caused by overloading. Overloading significantly shortens the service life of roads. The load of overloaded vehicles generally far exceeds the designed capacity of roads and bridges, and their frequent use causes road damage and bridge fractures, greatly reducing the normal service life of roads and leading to premature major repairs.
7
1
Share

What are the penalties for driving without a vehicle license?

The penalties for driving without a vehicle license are: the motor vehicle will be detained, the party will be notified to provide the corresponding vehicle license, and a warning or a fine of between 20 and 200 yuan will be imposed. Below are relevant extended materials: 1. Article 95 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: If a motor vehicle driven on the road does not display a motor vehicle license plate, does not have an inspection qualification mark or insurance mark, or does not carry the vehicle license or driver's license, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the motor vehicle, notify the party to provide the corresponding license, mark, or complete the corresponding procedures, and may impose penalties in accordance with Article 90 of this law. 2. Article 90 states: If a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic regulations, a warning or a fine of between 20 and 200 yuan will be imposed. If this law has other provisions, penalties shall be imposed in accordance with those provisions.
17
4
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.