How to Recharge the A/C on a 2013 Honda Civic (DIY), by Nazarettos on YouTube. 6 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park the car on level ground and let the engine cool. Open the hood and find the low-side A/C service port, which is the smaller port on the line near the firewall.
Start the engine and turn the A/C to its coldest setting with the fan on high. Let it run a few minutes so the compressor engages.
Check the system pressure first. A normal reading on a cool day is roughly 25 to 45 psi on the low side. If it reads higher, stop and have a shop check it.
Put on safety glasses and gloves. Screw the charge hose onto the can of R134a, then connect the quick coupler to the low-side port.
Hold the can upright and open the valve. Add refrigerant in short bursts while watching the gauge, keeping the pressure in the normal range.
Shake the can gently between bursts so the refrigerant flows evenly. Stop adding once the gauge sits in the normal range and the vent air feels cold.
Close the valve and disconnect the hose from the port. Refit the service port cap and the can cap.
Wipe up any spilled refrigerant with a rag and close the hood. Run the A/C for a few minutes to confirm the air stays cold.
Tips and common mistakes
Recharging only helps if the system is low and not leaking. If it loses cold air again, find and fix the leak first.
Never open the high-side port or overfill the system. Too much refrigerant can damage the compressor.
R134a is under pressure and gets very cold. Keep it away from your skin and eyes and work in a ventilated area.
Check the pressure again after a week. A steady drop means a leak that needs repair.
Questions
Can I use this kit on another car?
Only if the car uses R134a refrigerant. Newer cars often use R1234yf, which needs a different kit and fittings.
How do I know if my Civic is just low or has a leak?
If the air warms up again within days or weeks of recharging, you likely have a leak. Have a shop test the system with UV dye or a leak detector.
Do I need to add oil with the refrigerant?
Most DIY cans include a small amount of lubricant. If the system was fully empty, a shop should add the correct oil amount.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
