Glossary / General

refrigerant

20 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

Refrigerant is a special fluid used in air conditioning systems to help cool the air inside the car. If it leaks out, the air conditioning won't work properly.

Technical Definition

Refrigerant is a substance used in air conditioning systems to absorb and release heat, allowing the system to cool the air. Leaks in the system can lead to reduced cooling efficiency.

Hear It Discussed

"...filling the engine compartment with what? Refrigerant. Refrigeranty. Refrigerant."
#2615: 'Relaxed Fit' Comes for Cars The Best of Car Talk 12:21

"It doesn't have much refrigerant. And if it gets too hot and blows some out of there, even a couple ounces, it may not work anymore..."
Automotive Experts - Don't Just Use The Cheapest Gas Without Knowing What It Is Under The Hood show 47:11

"[509.7s] because it wasn't charge right and the whole problem turned out to be low refrigerant. Now, her mechanic had told her, hey, [516.9s] it needs a compressor, but it's two thousand dollars."
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - May 30, 2026 - Hour 2 Ron Ananian The Car Doctor 08:29