Recover, evacuate, and recharge the R-1234yf A/C system on a 2024 Model S Long Range AWD using a refrigerant recovery/recharge machine. This Tesla uses the cabin A/C loop integrated with the heat pump system — service the low-side service port only and follow exact refrigerant charge weight from the underhood label.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• R-1234yf refrigerant (verify exact charge weight from underhood A/C label) × 1 — R-1234yf, SAE J2845 spec
• PAG oil compatible with Tesla electric A/C compressor (POE/PAG per Tesla spec — verify before adding) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified electric compressor lubricant
• Service port valve caps (replacement) × 2 — OEM service port cap

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery located in the front trunk (frunk) under the nose cowl panel. See architecture notes.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Locate and read the A/C system label (typically under the frunk liner / on the cowl) to confirm refrigerant type (R-1234yf) and exact factory charge weight in grams.
7. Verify ambient temperature is between approximately 15–35 °C (60–95 °F) for accurate performance verification after charging.
8. Confirm your recovery/recharge machine is dedicated to R-1234yf and has been recently calibrated; cross-contamination with R-134a will damage the system.

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate A/C service ports
   Open the frunk and remove the cowl/service trim as needed to access the A/C low-side and high-side service ports. On the Model S, the service ports are in the front compartment area near the condenser/heat-pump plumbing. Confirm port sizes match R-1234yf SAE J2845 couplers (they will not fit R-134a couplers).
2. 2

   Inspect for obvious leaks and damage
   Visually inspect accessible refrigerant lines, condenser fins, and service port Schrader caps for oil residue, dye stains, or impact damage. If oil staining or refrigerant dye is present, stop and diagnose the leak before charging — adding refrigerant to a leaking system is non-compliant under EPA Section 608/609 and wastes refrigerant.
   ⚠Do not probe the heat-pump assembly or octovalve. Lines integrated with the HV battery thermal loop must not be disturbed.
3. 3

   Connect recovery/recharge machine
   With couplers closed, connect the low-side (blue) and high-side (red) hoses to the corresponding service ports. Verify hoses are seated and locked. Connect the machine's refrigerant tank and ensure the tank valve is open.
4. 4

   Recover existing refrigerant
   Run the machine's recovery cycle. Record the recovered refrigerant weight — this tells you whether the system was undercharged, overcharged, or empty. Continue recovery until the machine indicates a stable vacuum (system pressure below 0 psi gauge and holding).
5. 5

   Leak-check via vacuum hold test
   Pull a deep vacuum on the system to at least 500 microns (or per your machine's evacuation cycle, typically 30–45 minutes). Close the vacuum valves and observe. The system should hold vacuum with negligible rise (less than ~50 microns/min) for at least 5–10 minutes. If vacuum rises rapidly, there is a leak — stop and diagnose. Do not proceed to charge.
   ⚠A short evacuation will leave moisture in the system. Moisture combined with R-1234yf forms acids that destroy the electric compressor windings.
6. 6

   Add PAG oil if required
   If recovery indicated significant oil loss, or if the system was opened, inject the manufacturer-specified electric-compressor-safe lubricant in the amount specified by the Tesla Service Manual for the loss observed. Do NOT guess — incorrect oil type or quantity damages the HV-isolated electric compressor. If unsure, refer to the Tesla Service Manual.
   ⚠️Only use lubricant explicitly approved for this Tesla's electric A/C compressor. Standard PAG-46/100/150 from generic supply may not be electrically compatible.
7. 7

   Charge system by weight
   Program the recovery/recharge machine with the exact refrigerant weight specified on the underhood A/C label (in grams). Initiate the charge cycle. The machine will meter the refrigerant into the system, typically through the high side with the engine off (vehicle off, HV system idle). Do not attempt to liquid-charge through the low side.
8. 8

   Disconnect machine and cap ports
   Once the charge cycle completes and pressures equalize, close the couplers, disconnect the hoses, and install clean Schrader caps on both service ports. The caps are the system's secondary leak seal — do not omit them.
9. 9

   Reconnect 12V battery
   Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk. Reinstall any cowl/trim removed for access.
10. 10

    System performance verification
    Power on the vehicle. From the touchscreen, set climate control to MAX A/C / LO temperature, fan speed maximum, recirculation ON. Allow the system to run for 5–10 minutes. Measure center-vent temperature with a thermometer; expected outlet temperature in moderate ambient (20–25 °C) is typically in the 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) range. Listen for compressor cycling noise or unusual whine from the heat-pump area.
    ℹ️The Model S heat pump runs the compressor for both cooling and battery thermal management — a brief compressor engagement when not actively cooling is normal.
11. 11

    Final leak check under pressure
    With the system charged and running, use an R-1234yf-compatible electronic leak detector to sweep around all accessible service ports, condenser, and visible line junctions. Any detection above background indicates a leak that must be addressed.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall frunk liner / cowl trim and any fasteners removed for service port access.
2. Verify both service port caps are installed and snug (hand-tight plus a slight turn — they are not torque-spec fasteners).
3. Confirm no tools, hoses, or rags are left in the frunk area.
4. Close the frunk and verify it latches securely.

Verification

• Center-vent outlet temperature reaches manufacturer-typical cold range within 10 minutes of MAX A/C operation.
• No A/C, climate, or thermal-system alerts on the Tesla touchscreen after a full drive cycle.
• Electronic leak detector shows no R-1234yf presence at service ports or accessible fittings after charging.
• Recorded charge weight matches the underhood label spec exactly — log this in the service record.
• Note: Cabin air filters on this Model S are recommended every 2 years (every 3 years for HEPA / bioweapon-defense-equipped trims). If the customer reports weak airflow rather than weak cooling, inspect filters before assuming a refrigerant issue.

More procedures for this vehicle