Refrigerant: Description and Operation

In an effort to avoid use of ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants, Kia Motor Company has introduced a new refrigerant system for this vehicle. This system uses non CFC-based refrigerant R-134a.

This new type of refrigerant has many of same properties as R-12 and is similar in form and function. R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, however, R-12 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). With no chlorine atoms in its molecular structure, use of R-134a refrigerant will not have any harmful effects on atmosphere's ozone layer.