Subaru Recharge A/C Air Conditioner with Freon
Reviewed/Verified by:
Is your Subaru Air Condition A/C blowing hot air? Learn how to fix it by recharging the A/C with freon. The procedure below will only work if the system leaks very slowly. Major A/C leaks and compressor issues should be fixed before charging the A/C.
At a Glance
- Check the underhood label: R134a and R1234yf are not interchangeable.
- A DIY can only top up a slightly low system; it won’t fix a big leak or a dead compressor.
- Connect only to the low pressure port, engine running and A/C on max.
- Add slowly and watch the gauge; overcharging cools worse and strains the compressor.
- Warm again soon after? Have the leak found and fixed.
How to Recharge A/C Refrigerant on a Subaru
Symptoms
- Subaru AC blows hot air
- A/C does not get cold
- Heat works, but there is no cold air
Before You Start: Which Refrigerant Does Your Car Use?
- Check the label under the hood. It lists the refrigerant type and the factory charge amount. Most cars built before about 2015 use R134a. Many newer cars use R1234yf; manufacturers switched model by model between roughly the 2014 and 2021 model years.
- The two are not interchangeable. R1234yf systems use different service ports, so an R134a DIY kit will not connect, and mixing refrigerants contaminates the system and the recovery equipment shops use.
- A DIY can only top up a system that is slightly low. If the A/C stopped blowing cold completely, there is a leak. Find and fix it first, then have the system evacuated and charged by weight. See why the system must be evacuated before charging.
- Do not overcharge. Too much refrigerant raises system pressure, makes the vents blow warmer, and can damage the compressor. Stop when the kit gauge reaches the recommended range.
- Protect your eyes and hands. Liquid refrigerant can cause frostbite, so wear safety glasses and gloves.
What you will need
- AC Recharge Kit
- Work Gloves
- Safety Glasses
Procedure
- Park the Subaru on level ground. Set the parking brake.
- Next, open the hood. Pull the hood release under the dashboard to open the hood.
- Locate the air conditioner charging port on your Subaru. Look for the light blue cap with the L mark on top.
- Start the engine and allow it to idle. Next, turn on the climate control. Set the blower fan speed to maximum and the temperature to the coldest.
- Connect your A/C recharge kit and start recharging your Subaru A/C system. Make sure to follow all instructions for your A/C recharge kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What refrigerant does my Subaru use?
Check the label under the hood. Older Subarus use R134a, while many newer models use R1234yf. The two are not interchangeable.
Why does my Subaru A/C blow warm after a recharge?
The system likely has a leak or is overcharged. A system that loses its charge again soon needs the leak found and repaired.
🔧 Find out what is actually wrong before you pay someone to guess
Dealer level diagnostics at home with the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro.
- ✔ Covers most makes and models, including many luxury brands. Send us your VIN and we will confirm your car before you order
- ✔ Reads every module, not just the engine, so you find the faults a basic reader says are not there
- ✔ Commands the car: test a fan or pump, bleed ABS, retract an electronic parking brake, register a battery
- ✔ No subscriptions. Free lifetime updates, so the price you pay is the whole price
- ✔ Backed by real mechanics in the USA you can email before and after you buy
Featured in The Wall Street Journal
Where is the low pressure port on a Subaru?
It is on the larger aluminum A/C line, usually with a cap marked L. The recharge kit only fits the low side port.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Subaru.
It’s always the cap that is light blue,not the one coming directly out of the ac pump. The recharge kit will only fit one fitting, all else fails just check which one the line will fit and that’s the recharge line
Aren’t you supposed to create a vacuum in the system first via a vacuum pump?
No if the cap has H you are looking at the high pressure port. You can’t connect to this port, the ac recharge kit connection won’t even fit.
Find the port that has L on it. All Subarus have it, you just need to figure it out.
My 2010 Surbaru only has a blue ‘H’ cap. Does this mean high pressure and I need a Subaru technician to service it?