Posted on 5/30/2025
If you’ve had A/C work done on a newer vehicle, you may have heard the term “1234yf refrigerant” come up. It sounds technical, and for many drivers, the difference between 1234yf and the older R-134a refrigerant isn’t immediately clear. But there’s a reason for the switch—and understanding why it matters can help you stay informed when your car’s A/C needs service. So what exactly is 1234yf? Why is it replacing R-134a? And does it change anything for the average driver or how their vehicle gets serviced? A Quick Look at Refrigerants in Automotive A/C Systems Refrigerants are the lifeblood of your car’s air conditioning system. They circulate through the system, absorbing heat from inside the cabin and releasing it outside, keeping you cool even on the hottest days. For years, R-134a was the go-to refrigerant for most vehicles, replacing the ozone-depleting R-12 back in the 1990s. But while R-134a is better for the ozo ... read more