Opteon™ YF (R-1234yf) Automotive Refrigerant

No. R-1234yf is a mildly flammable, A2L refrigerant, and has system components designed to enhance safety given that difference. R-1234yf offers emission credits toward light-duty GHG compliance goals; replacing YF with a higher GWP refrigerant like HFC-134a is considered tampering with an emissions-related component under the Clean Air Act. While the performance is similar, it is illegal to use 134a in R-1234yf systems.

No. R-1234yf has unique, left-handed threaded fittings on hoses, couplers, adapters, and connecting equipment. This was an intentional design choice to discourage accidental or deliberate mixing of refrigerants to protect system components.

With the addition of an internal heat exchanger in the system and optimized operating conditions, R-1234yf exhibits very similar cooling performance to a 134a baseline system. The normal boiling point of YF is between 3-4 degrees lower than 134a.

No. Mixing refrigerants amounts to cross-contamination. There are blends of refrigerants, manufactured to offer specific performance benefits, but system components are specifically designed for these mixtures. In addition to the risk of degrading system components and violating the Clean Air Act, service recovery machines can not handle mixtures of refrigerants and shut down during operation. It is critical to use the refrigerant designed for a given system as specified on the label.

Mixing R134a in an R1234yf system can lead to reduced cooling efficiency and potential damage to the compressor. It's crucial to use the recommended refrigerant for optimal performance and to avoid system malfunctions.