Refrigerant: Description and Operation

CAUTION: Avoid breathing Refrigerant-134a (R-134a) and lubricant vapor or mist. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose, and throat. To remove R-134a from the A/C system, use service equipment certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 (R-134a recycling equipment). If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from refrigerant and lubricant manufactures.

Like the coolant in the engine cooling system, the refrigerant is the substance in the air conditioning system that absorbs, carries and then releases heat. This vehicle uses a refrigerant called Refrigerant-134a (R-134a). It is a non-toxic, non-flammable, clear, colorless.

While the R-134a A/C system is very similar to an R-12 A/C system, the differences in the refrigerant, lubricants, and service equipment are important.

^ R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12 refrigerant in an air conditioning system. R-12 in a R-134a system will cause compressor failure, refrigerant oil sludge or poor air conditioning system performance.
^ R-134a requires a charge of a special lubricating oil, polyalkaline glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil. GM PAG refrigerant oil will have a slight blue tint. The oil is hydroscopic (absorbs water from the atmosphere) and should be stored in closed containers.