According to Auto Service Professional, technicians are trained to work with one additional component, an inline heat exchanger (IHX) with two concentric containers, as well as to recognize the new fittings. Even then, accidentally using the wrong refrigerant is nearly impossible, as the new system has special fittings, including unique service ports and caps.Īs for your favorite service shop, they’re equipped to handle the new refrigerant. Manufacturers may even classify putting R134a in a car that came with 1234yf as emissions tampering - particularly if they count air conditioning credits toward light-duty greenhouse gas compliance. However, if your car has the new refrigerant, you’ll have to stick with it. If your vehicle uses R134a refrigerant, you won’t have to make the change. However, testing by the refrigerant’s manufacturers reveals that those concerns were unfounded, the Times continues. Unlike the two earlier refrigerants, this one is flammable, reports the New York Times, and this raised concerns among automakers several years ago. But, according to VASA, some manufacturers will continue with their planned transition anyway. In the U.S., however, the requirement has been challenged and overturned, says Chemical and Engineering News. The new refrigerant has been required in new cars in Europe by an EU directive since 2011. It breaks down chemically in the atmosphere after just 11 days, compared to 13 years for R134a, according to research by Chemours. This new, colorless gas has only a minute impact on the atmosphere. Introducing 1234yf RefrigerantĪs R134a is being phased out of the auto industry, you may have heard of the improved version of tetrafluoroethane: 1234yf refrigerant. However, by the 2000s, researchers discovered that R134a does, in fact, contribute to global warming, according to the EPA. Also known as R134a or HFC134a, it was the new standard by 1994, due to its insignificant ozone depletion potential and slightly lower global warming potential than freon, according to the EPA. This refrigerant remained popular until it was found to be damaging to the planet’s protective ozone layer.īack in the lab, a new refrigerant was developed, tetrafluoroethane. Few can imagine driving without it.īefore 1995, the refrigerant of choice was dichlorodifluoromethane, an odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic and nonflammable gas also known as freon. Today, nearly all new vehicles offer air conditioning as standard, or at least make it available. Keeping Cool: An AC HistoryĮarly automotive air conditioning systems started cropping up in the mid-20th century. We’ll explore this new cooling substance and what it means for your ride.
R134a refrigerant is common, but many new vehicles are now switching to 1234yf refrigerant.
One essential element of climate control systems is the refrigerant. Within minutes, an oppressively overheated interior should cool to a comfortable level. With just one turn of a knob or a push of a button, cool air soon begins flowing from the vents to fill the cabin. Especially on hot days, we’re extremely thankful for our vehicles’ air conditioning systems.
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