Caution: Avoid breathing the A/C Refrigerant 134a (R-134a) and the lubricant vapor or the mist. Exposure may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Work in a well ventilated area. In order to remove R-134a from the A/C system, use service equipment that is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J 2210 (R-134a recycling equipment). If an accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate the work area before continuing service. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.

The refrigerant is the substance in the air conditioning system that absorbs, carries, and then releases heat. The refrigerant functions like the coolant in the engine cooling system. Although various substances can be used as refrigerants in other types of refrigeration systems, past automotive air conditioning systems use a type of refrigerant called Refrigerant-12 (R-12).

Use a new type of refrigerant called Refrigerant-134a (R-134a) in this vehicle. R-134a has the following properties:

While the R-134a air conditioning (A/C) system is very similar to an R-12 A/C system, the differences in the refrigerant, the lubricants, and the service equipment are important.

Refrigerant-134a carries a charge of special lubricants, Polyalkaline glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil. GM PAG refrigerant oil will have a slight blue tint. The oil is hygroscopic (absorbs water from the atmosphere). Store the PAG refrigerant oil in closed containers.