Why your car's air conditioning gets weaker every year
AC systems lose refrigerant gradually. Here's why a re-gas every two years is normal, and how to spot a real leak.
Air-conditioning systems lose a small amount of refrigerant every year through seals and hoses. That is normal — it is why manufacturers recommend a re-gas roughly every two years.
Normal loss vs a real leak
A gradual decline in cooling is usually just age. A sudden loss of cold air, oily residue near the pipes, or a system that will not hold pressure means a leak that needs finding, not just topping up.
We use UV dye and electronic leak detection before we re-gas, so you are not paying to fill a system that will empty again in a month.