How To: Recharge Your Car's A/C

Learn how to recharge your car, truck, or SUV’s air conditioning system to help you stay cool while driving. Recharging car air conditioners is a straightforward maintenance task that can keep the cabin of your vehicle colder and more comfortable in the hot summer months, and may even help your defroster perform better year-round. This step-by-step video can help you learn how to recharge the A/C system in your car, truck, or SUV the right way using the right products and tools.

Supplies Needed to Recharge Your A/C:

0:00 A/C Recharge Basics
0:30 Locate the A/C Compressor
0:58 Turn On Your Car & A/C
1:05 Prep the A/C Pro
1:24 Attach the A/C Pro to the Low Pressure Port
1:37 Read the Pressure
2:50 Add Refrigerant
3:32 Detach the Hose

Watch this detailed video to learn how to recharge the A/C system in your car, truck, or SUV yourself to help you avoid the cost of an A/C recharge at a shop. It is easy to recharge the A/C in your car, truck, or SUV with the right products and procedure. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries A/C recharging kits, as well as A/C compressors, condensers, hoses, and refrigerant for your car, truck, or SUV to keep your A/C system performing its best.

On our channel we cover several different topics:
Automotive Product Overviews
Do It Yourself Automotive Repair
DIY Auto Maintenance
Simple Automotive Diagnostics
Automotive and Vehicle Education Videos

O’Reilly Auto Parts is an auto parts retailer that provides automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States serving both the professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers. From our roots as a single store in 1957 to our current size of 5,219 locations (and growing), we've come a long way. We pride ourselves on offering well researched, and reliable automotive information on our channel.

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Transcript:
[Under hood]
Start by locating the compressor. The A/C compressor is belt-driven. It will have a large clutch and pulley on the belt side, and two hoses or tubes coming out the back. The larger of the two tubes is the low-pressure line.
This line has a low-pressure port with a cap on it, which is where we’ll be attaching our A/C Pro hose.
The port will be about the width of your thumb.
Remove the plastic cap and put it someplace safe.
If you didn’t turn on your vehicle earlier to locate the compressor, start your engine and crank your A/C up to Max-Cool with the fan on High.
Twist the plastic safety disk off the A/C Pro can—it can be discarded.
Attach the gauge assembly to the can by firmly twisting it on. Don’t remove it from the can until it’s completely empty.
Shake the can well before using it.
Push the quick-connect fitting at the end of the recharge hose down onto the low-pressure port.
The quick-connect fitting will only fit on the correct port. You’ll hear it click into place.
Tug on it gently to make sure it’s seated properly.
Now, you’ll use the gauge to read the system pressure.
Read the pressure indicated by the gauge needle only when the A/C compressor is running—you’ll know it’s running when the clutch in the center is spinning.
It’s normal for the compressor to be turning on and off.
The reading on the gauge will probably be in the red when the compressor isn’t running.
If your compressor isn’t coming on at all, even with your air conditioner cranked up, it could mean your system is low on refrigerant.
In that case, you’ll want to add a few ounces of A/C Pro.
If you add A/C Pro and your compressor still isn’t coming on, you’ll need to take your vehicle to a professional technician.
So, wait till the compressor is running, and check the reading on the gauge.
If the needle is in the red or “high pressure” section of the gauge when the compressor is on, do not add refrigerant—your system needs to be serviced by a professional technician.
If the needle is in the yellow section of the gauge, no additional refrigerant is needed, and you’ll need a professional technician to help you diagnose why your vehicle’s A/C isn’t blowing cold.
If the needle is in the white or “low pressure” area of the gauge, your system needs refrigerant.
If that’s the case, start by double-checking that the hose is attached securely to the low-pressure port.

**View full video for complete instructions**

[michaelyork]

I was doubting this and oh my gosh how easy this was. Take the cap off. Fire up car. prep the ac pro can. If it's in the white add till it's in the green. Once I added I walked by my window with it down and I was feeling cold air. Got in fired up ac and it was cold. Truly that easy

[boogy]

I bought my A/C Pro at Autozone, but thanks for the vid.

[beelinebrett]

I bought it today for my 2001 Honda Accord. Worked as advertised. The air conditioner is blowing cool air now.

[ezeduke]

You’re the first person that mentioned something about the compressor turning on and off and make sure you read the gauge why the compressor is on that really mad a very big difference..

[Thundarr]

In WA, now you pretty much have to take your vehicle in to get your A/C recharged. They banned the sale of 134a to the general public. Now you need a special license to buy the stuff. Hopefully, you saw this coming and bought a case or 2 before the ban went into effect. I guess you could drive to Idaho and buy some, maybe Oregon?

[YudiBachrum-nkce]

O really the best explanation
Auto zone, I never go auto zone again.

[brentsanada]

No discussion on vacuuming ac system like the pros do. No wonder why people get mixed results

[ryanspence]

Thanks a mil. You just save me hundreds, I own a prestige model vehicle, my ac was blowing only hot air, so I decided to check YouTube and your video was the first I clicked, followed step by step directions works perfectly thanks ☺️ a million

[Victoryky]

I just have one issue with this advice. You didn’t show a method of purging or he air from the hose. The first trigger pull could add moisture and air to the system. Not good.

[elisabernardo]

Why would someone not like this? He is awesome!

[bertgrau]

Some auto systems will loose a little freon over time, just replacing a few oz. Every couple of years wont hurt. If it only works for a few days you probably have a leak thats too big.

[kevingordon]

A/C PRO is the tits here in Texas when you don't have $1000 to spare!

[TwoWheelRocco]

Great job explaining. Thank you for your help.

[JohnnyRebKy]

When the gauge reads in the green zone and it still isn’t real cold…run the vehicle down the road for a few miles and then check again. If it’s still in the green and not very cold keep adding more fluid. You will be surprised how much more it needs even though needle is reading green. Mine was reading green from half the can and wasn’t cold yet. So I began adding some more and closely watching the gauge and it took the entire 2nd half of the can while also remaining in the green zone. Then it began blowing cold

Moral of the story….when the gauge is reading green it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s full. As long as it stays in the green you can keep adding fluid until it’s blowing cold. Mine was reading green full but still held another half can before it got good and cold. But don’t go beyond the upper green zone. If it’s hitting yellow and still not cold you got problems somewhere else

[edsaterstad]

Thank you. Great video - simple and easy.

[taotechnique]

Thank you for the super thoroughness. Its helps majorly!!!

[jj]

I just went to Oreilly today. They are always so helpful.

[bthemedia]

WA state in May 2022 banned selling R-134a AC recharge kits… no longer rechargeable by owners.

[snakedike]

Just learning about this. Can you respond to the critics that say you should evacuate your system of any water vapor with a vacuum pump, fill the system so there is the proper mass of refrigerant and be able to read the high side to make sure you don't over pressurize the system?

[nunyabzns]

Please don't use latex gloves. If you touch something hot in the engine accidently it will melt the glove which will burn your skin until you get the glove off. My AC charge port is in a hard to reach spot deeper in the engine. Stuff is hot.