Information on the Use of Alternative Refrigerants in CFC 12 Refrigerant Mobile Air Conditioners. Saturn Saturn 1991

For 1990-2009 cars

# Information on the Use of Alternative Refrigerants in CFC 12 Refrigerant Mobile Air Conditioners

Subject: | Information on the Use of Alternative Refrigerants in CFC 12 Refrigerant Mobile Air Conditioners

Models: | All 1991-1993 Saturns equipped with air conditioning.

A number of inquiries have been received concerning the use of "Alternative Refrigerants" as a replacement for R-12 refrigerant in Saturn air conditioning systems.

### Purpose:

Regardless of any advertised claims, there are currently no substitutes for refrigerant R-12 approved by Saturn. At the present time, only new or recycled R-12 is approved for use in Saturn R-12 air conditioning systems.

Based on studies performed to date, the use of alternative refrigerants in R-12 air conditioning systems may result in higher system pressures. System performance may also be affected.

Service equipment manufacturers have indicated that cross-contaminating R-12 recovery/recycling equipment with alternative refrigerants may damage the equipment. Saturn supports the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended service procedures for recovery and recycling of R-12. The use of known alternative refrigerant without proper service practices for identifying vehicle systems containing those alternative refrigerants, and dedicated recovery equipment to service those vehicles, will contaminate the recycled supply of R-12 refrigerant. Contamination of the recycled R-12 refrigerant makes the refrigerant unusable for recharging air conditioning systems and could jeopardize the recycling program.

At the present time, Saturn has not approved any alternative refrigerant for R-12, in R-12 air conditioning systems. Therefore, R-12 systems should continue to be serviced with new or recycled R-12 only.