What air con gas does my car take?

 Your air con is one of the features of your car that is  easy to take for granted, that is - until you’re driving along in a heatwave and your air con won’t keep your car cool or clear the condensation from your windows on a cold day. So, when it’s time for an air con regas, you might not know which type of air con gas you need for your car. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of gas available and the differences between them.  

What are the different types of air conditioning gas? 

There are a number of different gases that can be used to keep your vehicle cool, but only two are commonly used in the UK. These are R1234yf and R134a. The one that your car uses will depend on the make, model and age of your vehicle. This is because R134a is gradually being phased out – however, it is still available if it’s the only gas that’s compatible with your car. 

R134a 

Originally, every vehicle with air con capability would use R134a. However, studies show that R134a contains harmful chemicals that can cause damage to the ozone layer. As a result of this, the EU banned the use of R134a for air con in new cars in 2011. Although we are no longer in the EU, the ban on R134a for new cars has remained in place post-Brexit. But, if you drive an older car that takes R134a, you can still purchase this gas and will be able to until it is phased out completely. 

R1234yf 

R1234yf is the new alternative to R134a. In 2017,  legislation was passed that all vehicle manufacturers needed to use this type of air con gas in new cars being manufactured. Not only is it  much more environmentally friendly than R134a, it also benefits from being a low leak risk in comparison to R134a and doesn’t require servicing as often.  

Which type of air con gas does my vehicle take? 

There are a few different ways of checking which air con gas you should be using in your vehicle; 

• Under the bonnet: There should be a sticker under the bonnet that tells you which air con gas you should be using. This is the easiest way to check.  
• Your vehicle manual: Your vehicle owner’s manual should have a section on your air conditioning unit, this is where it should tell you which air con gas your car takes.  
• Contacting your vehicle manufacturer: If you still can’t find it, contact your vehicle manufacturer with your vehicle's make, model and VIN number (usually found in your V5C, engine bay or beneath the plastic trim around the driver or passenger door opening) and they’ll be able to let you know which air conditioning gas your vehicle requires.  

Air con not performing as it should? 

If your air con is not producing cold air, it could need a regas, and if your air con smells musty when you switch it on, it could need a clean. Our air con services start at just £20 - contact your nearest branch to make an appointment, or get in touch for more information.