R-134a and R-1234yf Differences (Item)AAA Million Auto Parts Inc | aaamillionServing the World with Auto Parts

Difference Between R-134a and R-1234yf Refrigerants

When it comes to modern automotive air conditioning systems, understanding the difference between R-134a and R-1234yf refrigerants is essential. Both are used to keep your car’s AC system blowing cold air, but they differ significantly in chemical makeup, environmental impact, and compatibility.

Air Conditioning Products

Which Refrigerant Does Your Car Use?

Always check your vehicle’s AC label or owner’s manual to confirm the correct refrigerant type. Mixing R-134a and R-1234yf can cause chemical reactions, AC compressor damage, and poor cooling performance. Use only the correct automotive AC refrigerant recharge kit for your system.

R-134a

R-134a (also known as HFC-134a) has been the industry standard automotive refrigerant since the early 1990s, replacing R-12 Freon. It’s widely used in millions of vehicles for its reliable cooling performance, affordability, and easy availability.
However, R-134a has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), which led to stricter environmental regulations and the introduction of newer alternatives.

Key Features of R-134a:

Common in cars made before 2015
Non-flammable and easy to service
Affordable refrigerant refill kits available
Higher environmental impact (GWP ≈ 1,430)

R-1234yf

R-1234yf (also called HFO-1234yf) is the next-generation refrigerant developed to replace R-134a. It offers similar cooling efficiency but with a dramatically lower GWP (≈ 4), making it far more eco-friendly and compliant with global climate standards like the EPA SNAP program and EU F-Gas regulations.

Key Features of R-1234yf: