Car air conditioning systems use different types of oils, and the specific type of oil will vary depending on the type of refrigerant, the air conditioning system, and the type of air conditioning compressor. Hybrid and electric vehicle compressors use a different type of oil than conventional engine system compressors.
Which oil to choose according to the refrigerant type R-12 R-1234YF and R-134a
The refrigerant oil required for your car’s air conditioning system depends on many factors, but primarily on the type of refrigerant used in the system. R-12 car systems use mineral oil. Mineral oil mixes well with R-12 without breaking down and losing its lubricating properties. However, mineral oil cannot be used to lubricate air conditioning systems that use R-134a refrigerant. R-134 systems require a different synthetic oil, polyalkylene glycol (PAG). PAG and POE oils come in different blends; always use the blend recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or replacement part manufacturer.
The lubricating oil used in mobile air conditioning systems is a non-foaming, non-sulfur grade specially formulated for use in mobile air conditioning systems. New refrigerants such as R-1234yf may use PAG 46 and are backward compatible with R-134a systems, but R-134a old PAG 46 oils are not forward compatible with R-1234yf systems.
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