Recharge the AC system on a 2024 Model Y Performance using R-1234yf refrigerant. This Tesla uses a heat pump system shared with the octovalve — recharge only; do NOT attempt internal heat pump or octovalve service.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Service port cap O-rings (high and low side) × 2 — Manufacturer-specified R-1234yf service port seals

Fluids

• R-1234yf refrigerant (refer to underhood charge label for exact weight)
• PAG oil — Tesla-specified viscosity for electric A/C compressor (ND-oil equivalent / electric-compressor-rated only)

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. On the 2024 Model Y, the 12V (lithium-ion) battery is accessed under the front trunk (frunk) trim — follow Tesla's documented disconnect procedure.
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. Confirm the vehicle is in Service Mode is NOT required for a port-only recharge, but the climate system must be OFF.
7. Locate the high-side and low-side R-1234yf service ports under the frunk liner near the front condenser/heat exchanger area.
8. Read the underhood/frunk A/C charge label and record the exact refrigerant weight specification for this VIN.
9. Verify your recovery machine is R-1234yf compatible (SAE J2843) — R-134a equipment must NOT be used.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect AC system for visible damage
   With the frunk open and liner removed, visually inspect AC line fittings, the condenser, and accessible refrigerant lines for oil staining, damage, or leaks. Any oily residue indicates a leak that must be repaired before recharging.
2. 2

   Remove service port caps
   Locate the high-side and low-side R-1234yf service ports. Remove the protective caps. Inspect the Schrader valves and port O-rings for damage; replace caps' O-rings if cracked or missing.
3. 3

   Connect R-1234yf recovery machine
   Connect the high-side and low-side couplers from an R-1234yf-rated recovery/recharge machine to the corresponding service ports. Verify both couplers are fully seated and locked.
   ⚠Never connect R-134a equipment or refrigerant to this vehicle. The fittings and refrigerant are different and cross-contamination will require a full system flush.
4. 4

   Recover existing refrigerant
   Run the recovery cycle per the machine's instructions until the system is at vacuum. Record the recovered refrigerant weight and recovered oil weight — you will need to add back any lost oil using only Tesla-specified electric-compressor PAG/POE oil.
   ⚠️If recovered oil appears black, burnt, or metallic, the compressor may be internally damaged. STOP — do not recharge. A failed electric compressor can indicate an HV insulation issue requiring Tesla-certified diagnosis.
5. 5

   Pull deep vacuum and leak test
   Evacuate the system to at least 500 microns and hold for a minimum of 30 minutes. The vacuum must hold steady — any rise indicates a leak. Do not proceed with recharge if the system fails the vacuum hold test; locate and repair the leak first.
6. 6

   Add PAG/POE oil if required
   If oil was lost during recovery or component replacement, add the same weight of Tesla-specified electric-compressor-rated oil through the machine's oil injection circuit. Do not use generic PAG oil.
   ⚠️Using non-electric-compressor-rated oil on a Tesla can cause HV leakage inside the compressor windings, leading to isolation faults and a non-driveable vehicle.
7. 7

   Charge with R-1234yf to spec weight
   Program the recovery machine with the exact refrigerant weight from the underhood label and run the charge cycle. The Model Y heat pump is sensitive to charge weight — do not 'eyeball' by pressure alone.
8. 8

   Disconnect machine and reseal service ports
   After charging completes, close coupler valves and disconnect from the service ports. Inspect each Schrader valve for refrigerant seepage with a leak detector. Reinstall the service port caps with intact O-rings — these caps are the system's secondary seal.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the frunk liner and any trim removed for service port access.
2. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery following Tesla's documented procedure.
3. Close the frunk and verify it latches correctly.
4. If any AC line fittings were opened during prior repair (not part of a recharge-only job), torque to OEM specification using new O-rings and added PAG oil — refer to torque references.

Verification

• Power the vehicle on. From the touchscreen, set climate to LO / max A/C with fan on high.
• At the center dash vents, verify outlet temperature drops to typical R-1234yf system performance (low 40s°F at idle in moderate ambient). The Model Y heat pump may take 1–2 minutes to stabilize as the octovalve cycles.
• Listen for abnormal compressor noise — the electric compressor should be a smooth hum, not a chatter or whine.
• Check the touchscreen Service menu for any HVAC/thermal DTCs. Faults related to refrigerant pressure sensor, heat pump, or octovalve indicate further diagnosis is required (Tesla service center).
• With a leak detector, sweep the service ports and any fittings disturbed for refrigerant leaks.
• Note: While here, confirm the cabin air filter age — Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years. Also verify brake fluid service interval (every 2 years) and tire rotation (every 6,250 mi) are current.

More procedures for this vehicle