Refrigerant Recovery Cylinder Capacity

Refrigerant Recovery Cylinder Capacity(for All Makes)

The vehicle-based refrigerant capacity reference chart is used to estimate how much refrigerant is typically recovered from each vehicle’s AC system during service. This helps prevent overfilling recovery cylinders and ensures safe handling of R134a or R1234yf refrigerants.

Refrigerant Recovery Cylinder Capacity

Toyota

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Corolla2014–2024R134a / R1234yf14–17 oz400–480 gCompact sedan
Camry2012–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gMid-size sedan
RAV42013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gCompact SUV
Hilux2015–2024R134a22–28 oz620–790 gPickup truck
Land Cruiser2012–2024R134a / R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV
Prius2010–2024R134a / R1234yf16–20 oz450–570 gHybrid system
Yaris2013–2020R134a12–15 oz340–430 gSubcompact
Highlander2014–2024R134a / R1234yf24–30 oz680–850 g3-row SUV

Related AC Refrigerant Capacity All Cars R134a Chart

Honda

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Civic2012–2024R134a / R1234yf15–18 oz430–510 gCompact sedan
Accord2013–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gMid-size sedan
CR-V2012–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gCompact SUV
Pilot2015–2024R134a / R1234yf24–30 oz680–850 gLarge SUV
Fit2013–2020R134a13–16 oz370–450 gHatchback
HR-V2016–2024R134a / R1234yf16–20 oz450–570 gSubcompact SUV
Odyssey2013–2024R134a / R1234yf26–34 oz740–960 gMinivan

Related AC System Pressure Chart(For All Refrigerant Types)

Nissan

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Altima2013–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gMid-size sedan
Sentra2013–2024R134a16–19 oz450–540 gCompact sedan
Maxima2013–2023R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gFull-size sedan
X-Trail2015–2024R134a / R1234yf18–23 oz510–650 gSUV
Patrol2012–2024R134a28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV
Navara2015–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gPickup
Juke2013–2020R134a16–20 oz450–570 gCompact crossover

Ford

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Focus2012–2018R134a18–21 oz510–595 gCompact car
Fusion2013–2020R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gSedan
F-1502015–2024R134a / R1234yf24–32 oz680–900 gTruck
Ranger2016–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gMid-size truck
Escape2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gSUV
Explorer2013–2024R134a / R1234yf24–32 oz680–900 gSUV
Mustang2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–24 oz510–680 gSports car

Related Honda Civic Refrigerant Capacity Chart(for All Model Years)

Chevrolet

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Cruze2012–2019R134a18–21 oz510–595 gCompact sedan
Malibu2013–2024R134a / R1234yf20–25 oz570–710 gSedan
Silverado2014–2024R134a / R1234yf26–34 oz740–960 gTruck
Colorado2015–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gMid-size truck
Equinox2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–23 oz510–650 gSUV
Tahoe2013–2024R134a / R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV
Traverse2013–2024R134a / R1234yf26–34 oz740–960 g3-row SUV

Hyundai

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Elantra2013–2024R134a / R1234yf15–18 oz430–510 gSedan
Sonata2013–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gSedan
Tucson2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gSUV
Santa Fe2013–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gSUV
Accent2013–2020R134a13–16 oz370–450 gSmall car
Palisade2019–2024R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV

Related Chevrolet Refrigerant Capacity Chart(for All Models)

Kia

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Rio2013–2024R134a14–17 oz400–480 gSubcompact
Sportage2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gSUV
Sorento2014–2024R134a / R1234yf22–26 oz620–740 gSUV
Telluride2019–2024R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV
Soul2013–2024R134a16–20 oz450–570 gHatchback
Optima2013–2020R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gSedan

Volkswagen

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
Golf2013–2024R134a / R1234yf18–21 oz510–595 gHatchback
Jetta2013–2024R134a / R1234yf19–23 oz540–650 gSedan
Passat2013–2024R134a / R1234yf22–26 oz620–740 gSedan
Tiguan2013–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gSUV
Touareg2013–2023R134a / R1234yf26–34 oz740–960 gSUV
Atlas2018–2024R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV

Related AC Vent Temperature Chart(Complete Guide)

BMW

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
3 Series2012–2024R134a / R1234yf20–25 oz570–710 gSedan
5 Series2012–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gSedan
7 Series2012–2024R134a / R1234yf26–36 oz740–1020 gLuxury sedan
X32013–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gSUV
X52013–2024R134a / R1234yf24–32 oz680–900 gSUV
X72019–2024R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV

Mercedes-Benz

ModelYear RangeRefrigerant TypeOEM AC System Capacity (oz)OEM AC System Capacity (g)Recovery Notes
C-Class2012–2024R134a / R1234yf20–24 oz570–680 gSedan
E-Class2012–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gSedan
S-Class2012–2024R134a / R1234yf26–36 oz740–1020 gLuxury sedan
GLA2014–2024R134a / R1234yf18–22 oz510–620 gCompact SUV
GLC2015–2024R134a / R1234yf22–28 oz620–790 gSUV
GLE2015–2024R134a / R1234yf24–32 oz680–900 gSUV
GLS2016–2024R1234yf28–36 oz790–1020 gLarge SUV

Important Technical Notes:

Although this chart lists vehicle AC system capacities, technicians use it to estimate recovery cylinder fill levels:

  • A standard 30 lb recovery cylinder is typically used for light automotive work.
  • A 50 lb cylinder is common for workshop use.
  • A cylinder should NOT be filled beyond 80% capacity due to thermal expansion safety rules.

Example:

If a recovery cylinder is 30 lb:

  • Safe fill limit ≈ 24 lb refrigerant maximum

This is important because vehicles like trucks (e.g., Silverado, F-150) can contribute significantly more refrigerant per service cycle compared to compact cars.

Why Refrigerant Capacity Varies by Vehicle

Vehicle refrigerant capacity depends on:

  • Cabin size (larger SUV = more refrigerant)
  • Evaporator and condenser size
  • Dual-zone or rear AC systems
  • Refrigerant type (R134a vs R1234yf efficiency differences)
  • Engine heat load and climate design requirements

R134a vs R1234yf Trend

Modern vehicles increasingly use R1234yf, which is:

  • More environmentally friendly
  • Slightly lower in charge volume in some systems
  • More expensive and sensitive to contamination

Older models (2010–2016) still commonly use R134a, especially in trucks and budget vehicles.

Final Thoughts

A refrigerant recovery cylinder capacity chart is not truly vehicle-specific, but understanding vehicle AC system capacities is essential for:

  • Safe refrigerant recovery
  • Preventing cylinder overfill
  • Efficient HVAC servicing
  • Compliance with environmental and safety standards

Technicians should always verify the exact OEM specification before servicing, as even the same model can vary by trim level or region.

Ryan Gary
Ryan Gary

With a solid foundation of 20 years in the mechanical industry and a Mechanical Engineering degree, Ryan Gary brings a deep understanding of automotive systems to Engine Oil Journal.
Driven by a passion for vehicles and a commitment to providing accurate information, he created this platform to empower drivers to make informed decisions about engine oil care.

Related Posts