How to Find the Best Car AC Recharge Kit
Find the Best Car AC Recharge Kit
A car’s air conditioning system is a necessity in summer, but if yours isn’t blowing cold, it may need a recharge. Most auto stores charge $60 or more for an AC recharge, but you can do the job yourself with a DIY kit and save money. A quality kit is easy to use, includes everything you need, and is compatible with your vehicle’s air conditioner. Some include anti-wear additives to help extend the life of your AC system, while others contain a UV dye that glows to pinpoint a leak. Some even come with a replacement compressor piston and a safety leak sealant.
Before you invest in a car ac recharge kit, be sure to read reviews online and consult the product instructions for proper usage. Some kits require you to clean out the old refrigerant, and this step is vitally important because a car with a large amount of leaking refrigerant will overcharge and damage components like the condenser. A recharge kit won’t fix a major leak, but it can buy you time until you can get the problem professionally fixed.
Many recharge kits only work with R-134a refrigerant, which is used in most vehicles made after 1995. New hybrid and electric cars, however, use the newer R-123yf refrigerant. These systems are not compatible with the older R-134a, and they cannot be retrofitted to your vehicle with a manual recharge kit. If yours uses the newer refrigerant, you will need a different type of equipment.
How to Find the Best Car AC Recharge Kit
Most auto AC recharge kits will not remove the existing refrigerant in your system, so if you do use one of these, it’s important to be careful and follow all the instructions carefully. You should also have a friend or family member test the kit for you to make sure it’s working properly. A good kit will have a pressure gauge set with three 4-foot hoses, a quick coupler, and a can tap, and it comes in a convenient carrying bag for simple storage.
This recharge kit has a reusable trigger dispenser and an extra long 24 inch recharge hose to make it easier to access hard-to-reach ports. It is compatible with sealed and self-sealing R-134a cans, and the hose has an easy-to-read gauge with color ranges to indicate pressure. It is also braided to protect against puncture, and a quick coupler makes it easier to attach and dispense. It is one of the most popular car ac recharge kits available.