R-134a vs R-1234yf: which A/C refrigerant does my car use?
Most cars built for the U.S. from the mid-2010s on use R-1234yf; older ones use R-134a. Your owner’s manual names it, usually in the specifications section, and a label under the hood gives the type and charge amount. The two are not interchangeable.
Why did cars switch to R-1234yf?
R-1234yf has a far lower global warming potential than R-134a, and U.S. rules phased R-134a out of new light-duty vehicles (EPA: acceptable refrigerants and their impacts). The changeover happened model by model, so the same nameplate can use different refrigerants in different years.
Examples from owner’s manuals
- 2017 Honda Accord Coupe: HFC-134a (R-134a), 15.0–16.8 oz.
- 2020 Honda Civic Coupe: HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf), 13.2–15.0 oz.
- 2026 Honda CR-V: HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf), 17.1–18.9 oz.
- 2019 Volvo XC90: R134a, with a larger charge for vehicles with third-row A/C.
See every vehicle in A/C refrigerant by vehicle.
Can I recharge it myself?
The service fittings for the two refrigerants are different on purpose, so one can’t be connected to a system built for the other. The 2026 Honda CR-V manual, citing SAE J2845, recommends the refrigerant system only be serviced by trained and certified technicians, and in the U.S. professional A/C service requires EPA certification. Overfilling or underfilling also hurts cooling: the charge amount in your manual is a range for a reason.