How do I recharge my car AC?

A DIY recharge kit ($30–$60 at any auto-parts store) will tell you if the system is low and can get you cold air short-term, but understand what you're doing: refrigerant doesn't get used up — if it's low, it leaked. Recharging without finding the leak is a temporary fix. Check the sticker under the hood for the refrigerant type (R-134a on most 2016-and-older cars, R-1234yf on most 2017+ — they're not interchangeable). Never charge past the green zone on the gauge; overcharging is worse than undercharging and can destroy the compressor.

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