Audi A4: Laws and Regulations

Refrigerant Circuit, Converting R12 to R134a and Servicing

  Note

• For environmental reasons and on account of the corresponding legislation, refrigerant R12 can no longer be manufactured or supplied. Refrigerant R134a has been developed as a replacement for R12.
• A/C systems developed and designed for refrigerant R12 cannot however simply be charged with refrigerant R134a. To ensure trouble-free operation of the air conditioning system even after conversion, various components of the refrigerant circuit must be replaced.
• A precise description of the conversion procedure and information on the servicing of converted refrigerant circuits can be found in Repair Manual: Air Conditioner with Refrigerant R12 Parts 2 and 3. (This repair manual is only available in hard copy).

Refrigerant, Keeping Records

The environmental statistics law requires records to be kept on the use of refrigerants.

Consequently, motor vehicle workshops may well have to provide the relevant local authorities with information on their use of refrigerant. It is recommended to always keep a record sheet.

  Note

• A record sheet no longer needs to be kept in the EU due to a provision by the European Parliament in 2005. A record sheet is currently necessary when a use of 50 kg or more in the year (see also Provision (EU) no.1005/2009).
• It is recommended to keep a record sheet because the local authorities can request information regarding refrigerant use starting from a certain amount (currently starting with a use of 20 kg in a year).
• Other provisions may apply in countries that are not members of the EU.

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