Air Conditioning Re-gas
At Imperial Tyres in Swindon, we offer a professional air conditioning re-gas service to restore your vehicle’s AC system to full working order. Over time, all car air conditioning systems lose refrigerant gas through natural seepage, meaning your AC gradually becomes less effective, even if there is no obvious fault or leak.
Our technicians use specialist air conditioning service equipment to fully evacuate, test, and recharge your system with the correct refrigerant — whether your vehicle uses the traditional R134a or the newer R1234yf refrigerant. We also add fresh lubricating oil and UV leak-detection dye to help identify any future issues early.
What is an air con re-gas?
An air conditioning re-gas is the process of removing the old refrigerant gas from your car’s AC system and replacing it with a fresh charge to the correct pressure. Over time, typically every 2–3 years, refrigerant naturally leaks from the system, reducing cooling performance. A re-gas restores the system to its original efficiency, so your cabin cools quickly even on the hottest summer days.
During the re-gas service we also check system pressure, inspect for leaks, replace the lubricating oil that keeps seals and components in good condition, and add UV dye to help detect any future leaks.
How often does car air conditioning need re-gassing?
Most manufacturers recommend re-gassing your air conditioning every 2–3 years. Even without a visible leak, AC systems can lose up to 15% of their refrigerant annually through microscopic seepage in hoses and seals. Regular re-gassing keeps the system running efficiently and can extend the life of compressor components.
What refrigerant does my car use — R134a or R1234yf? +
Vehicles manufactured before 2017 typically use R134a refrigerant. Vehicles produced from 2017 onwards are increasingly fitted with R1234yf refrigerant, which has a much lower global-warming potential. The type your vehicle requires is printed on a label under your bonnet. Our team will identify the correct refrigerant for your car before starting any work.
Can I still use my air con if it's low on gas?
You can, but it is not advisable to run a low-refrigerant AC system for long. The compressor relies on the refrigerant oil that circulates with the gas for lubrication. Running the system with insufficient refrigerant can cause premature compressor wear and eventually lead to a costly compressor replacement. It is far better to re-gas promptly when you notice reduced cooling.
What's Included in Our Re-gas Service?
Our air conditioning service is a full diagnostic and recharge, not just a top-up. Every re-gas at Imperial Tyres includes:
- Full system pressure test to check for leaks
- Complete evacuation of old refrigerant gas
- Vacuum test to confirm system integrity
- Recharge with the correct refrigerant to manufacturer specification
- Addition of fresh compressor lubricating oil
- UV leak-detection dye injection
- Post-service temperature check to verify performance
Signs Your Air Con Needs Re-gassing
Not sure whether your AC needs attention? Look out for these common signs that your refrigerant is running low:
- Air from the vents feels warm or only slightly cool
- It takes much longer than usual to cool the cabin
- The AC only works effectively at the highest fan settings
- Unusual smells when you switch the air conditioning on
- The system hasn’t been serviced in the last 2–3 years
- Visible signs of greasy residue around AC hose connections
If you recognise any of these symptoms, book your re-gas today and get back to cool, comfortable driving, especially important through a Wiltshire summer.