How to Add Car Refrigerant?

[OJulianna]

After the system is vacuumed, close the high and low pressure manual valves on the manifold pressure gauge. Connect one end of the middle hose to the joint of the refrigerant can injection valve. Open the high-pressure side manual valve to the fully open position and invert the refrigerant can. Inject the specified amount of liquid refrigerant from the high-pressure side.

[DeBennett]

I've seen many people refilling refrigerant by themselves, which can be both simple and troublesome. Remember to start the car and turn the air conditioning to the maximum cooling setting—never operate with the engine off. Locate the low-pressure port labeled 'L' in the engine bay and clean the connector. Buy a can of refrigerant with an adapter hose, connect the hose to the port first, then slowly open the valve on the refrigerant can. Listen for the hissing sound and don’t rush—follow the recommended amount on the can, as adding too much can actually reduce cooling efficiency. Before closing the valve, quickly disconnect the hose to prevent gas leakage. Finally, check if the air vent temperature has dropped. If you're unsure about the refrigerant type or suspect a system leak, I recommend visiting a professional shop for a safer and easier solution.

[EmmettDella]

As an average car owner, I think adding refrigerant depends on one's DIY skills. The necessary tools are just a refrigerant can and a charging hose, which can be purchased at an auto parts market for around thirty yuan. The key during operation is to correctly locate the low-pressure charging port and avoid connecting to the high-pressure pipe by mistake. Turn the AC to maximum airflow to circulate the system, then slowly open the valve to hear the refrigerant flowing. Be careful not to exceed the green zone on the pressure gauge, and follow the can's labeling for the correct amount. After each can, wait a few minutes for the refrigerant to circulate before adding more. If you find that adding several cans still doesn't cool, there might be a leak in the pipeline, and you'll need a repair shop to check and fix it. Nowadays, refrigerants are divided into R134a and newer environmentally friendly types. Older cars should never mix them.

[OKendra]

Don't mess around with refrigerant refills, first check which type your car uses. Prepare a refrigerant kit, preferably with hoses that have pressure gauges. Start the engine and turn the AC to maximum, then locate the low-pressure pipe port marked with an 'L'. Clean any dust from the connector and tightly screw on the charging hose. First, open the refrigerant can valve to release air, then reconnect it to the port. Slowly open the valve while keeping an eye on the pressure gauge needle until it reaches the middle zone. Pay attention to the sound of refrigerant flow—when it diminishes, close the valve. The entire refill process shouldn't exceed ten minutes. The best time to refill is before seasonal changes; refilling during peak summer demand can easily lead to overcharging. If the system is functioning normally, one can is sufficient—overcharging can damage the compressor.