We recharge air conditioning in cars and minibuses at our workshop in Lasnamäe. We remove the old refrigerant, check the system for leaks, lubricate it and fill it with new refrigerant. The amounts of oil and refrigerant follow the car manufacturer’s recommendations.
Priisle tee 18, Tallinn
Mon–Fri: 09:00–18:00
Cars and minibuses of all makes
What an air conditioning recharge includes
Simply “topping up the freon” is not enough: if the system has a leak, the refrigerant will escape again, and the wrong amount of oil and refrigerant makes the air conditioning work worse. That is why a recharge is a sequence of several steps.
Check before recharging
We check that the system is intact and inspect the connections between its parts: there is no point recharging a system that leaks.
Refrigerant removal
We remove the old refrigerant from the system so that it can be refilled.
Leak check
We check the system for possible leaks. If we find a leak, we explain the next steps and agree the repair with you.
Lubrication
We add oil, which lubricates the compressor and circulates through the system together with the refrigerant.
Refrigerant recharge
We fill the system with new refrigerant. The amounts of oil and refrigerant follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for each make.
Pressure check
We check the system pressure and how well the air conditioning cools after the recharge.
Signs that your air conditioning is low on refrigerant
Refrigerant escapes gradually, so the cooling weakens without you noticing. Book a recharge if you notice any of the signs below.
The air conditioning cools less than it used to. The vents blow cool rather than cold air.
The cabin takes a long time to cool down. In hot weather, you have to drive for 10–15 minutes before it gets cool.
It blows warm air in traffic and at idle. There is cooling while you drive, but it fades when the car is standing still.
The compressor keeps switching on and off. You hear the compressor clutch clicking often under the bonnet, and the air turns colder and warmer by turns.
The windows take longer to demist. The air conditioning dries the air in the cabin, so without enough refrigerant the windows clear more slowly.
The air conditioning does not switch on at all. If the pressure is too low, the system protects the compressor and does not let it switch on.
How the recharge is done
If the system has no leaks, a recharge is routine work: you book a convenient time and collect the car after the check.
Booking
Fill in the form or call us. Give your registration number or VIN and describe how the air conditioning works now.
Check
We check the system and its connections for integrity and possible leaks.
Removal and lubrication
We remove the old refrigerant and lubricate the system. If we find a leak, we first agree the repair with you.
Recharge and check
We fill the system with refrigerant as the manufacturer recommends and check the system pressure.
How often air conditioning needs recharging
Car manufacturers recommend recharging the air conditioning once a year. New cars need a recharge every 2 years, while cars older than 5 years need one every year, as prevention and to top up the refrigerant.
The air conditioning system is sealed, but refrigerant still escapes from it gradually. The reasons are:
- constant vibration while driving;
- the system heating up when the engine works under heavy load;
- repeated temperature changes;
- fasteners and seals loosening at high mileage.
Why you should not recharge it yourself
Before a recharge, the system must be checked for integrity and the connections between parts inspected. Otherwise, you may waste money on refrigerant and end up with a more serious fault. Refrigerant most often escapes because:
- sealing parts are damaged;
- the pipes and condenser are damaged by corrosion;
- rubber parts have loosened or been damaged;
- the seals have lost their elasticity.
Each of these faults causes a refrigerant leak, so after a DIY top-up the air conditioning will soon stop cooling again.
When a recharge alone is not enough
A recharge restores the amount of refrigerant, but it does not fix faults. A repair will most likely be needed if:
- a leak was found during the check before the recharge;
- the refrigerant escaped again a few weeks or months after the recharge;
- the compressor is noisy, hums or does not switch on;
- there are oil traces on the air conditioning pipes, connections or condenser.
Air conditioning repair is covered on the car air conditioning repair page.
Frequently asked questions about car air conditioning recharge
How much does an air conditioning recharge cost?
The cost depends on how much refrigerant your car needs. Current prices are on the Prices page. If a repair is needed, we agree its cost with you before any work begins.
How long does a recharge take?
It depends on the car and the condition of the system. Ask about it when booking — this helps us give you a more accurate estimate.
Can I recharge the air conditioning myself with a can?
We do not recommend it. Before a recharge, the system must be checked for integrity and the connections inspected, and the amounts of oil and refrigerant must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Otherwise, you may waste money on refrigerant and end up with a more serious fault, and the leak that let the refrigerant escape will still be there.
Does the air conditioning need recharging if it still cools?
Manufacturers recommend recharging the air conditioning once a year: every 2 years for new cars and every year for cars older than 5 years. Refrigerant escapes gradually, and with it the oil that lubricates the compressor.
Why does the exact amount of refrigerant matter?
If there is less refrigerant than specified, the air conditioning cools worse and the compressor gets less lubrication. If there is more, the pressure rises, cooling also gets worse and the compressor is overloaded. That is why the amounts of oil and refrigerant follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How do I book an air conditioning recharge?
Fill in the form on this page or call +372 5552 7985. Give your registration number or VIN and describe how the air conditioning works now.
Book an air conditioning recharge
Fill in the short form below — we will find a time that suits you.
Arrange a service visit today
Enter your vehicle details and a convenient time — we will contact you and confirm your booking.