GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: Avoid breathing A/C Refrigerant-134a and lubricant vapor and 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 manufacturers.

Notice: R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12 refrigerant in an air conditioning system. R-12 in a R-134a system will cause A/C compressor failure, refrigerant oil sludge, or poor air conditioning system performance.

The refrigerant is the substance in the air conditioning system that absorbs, carries and releases heat. Although various substances are used as refrigerants in other types of refrigeration systems, past automotive air conditioning systems used Refrigerant-12 (R-12).

This vehicle uses Refrigerant-134a (R-134a). R-134a has the following features:

    • Non-toxic
    • Non-flammable
    • Clear
    • Colorless
    • Liquefied gas

Refrigerant-134a carries a charge of a special lubricant, Polyalkaline Glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil. PAG refrigerant oil has a slight blue tint. The oil is hydroscopic (absorbs water from the atmosphere). Store R-134a in closed containers.