Carter Volkswagen Auto Care FAQs: Can You Mix Automotive A/C Refrigerant Types?

In short, the answer is, "No!"

Automotive refrigerants are volatile compounds that can have a negative effect on the environment. Combining them can have adverse effects, and cause damage to your car's A/C system. Special machinery is required to service the A/C system in your car so that no refrigerant is allowed to escape into the atmosphere -- venting automotive refrigerants is prohibited by the EPA.

What's more, A/C refrigerant can be recaptured and even recycled. But, if it's become contaminated by other materials or other refrigerants, it'll have to be captured and disposed of safely.

There are basically three different types of refrigerant in use in automobiles on the road today -- we'll tell you a little bit about each one, and why it's not a good idea to release any of them into the environment.

In most cars built before 1994, the A/C systems are equipped with R-12 refrigerant. So, if you've got a classic ride, chances are this is what the system originally had.

However, modern cars do not use R-12 refrigerant because this type of refrigerant was found to be depleting to the planet's ozone layer. Most cars will naturally leach a small amount of refrigerant into the atmosphere over time, so building every car with R-12 refrigerant just wasn't sustainable. It had to be replaced.