Car batteries generally last between three and six years. Which end of that range a battery’s life will fall depends largely upon how it is treated. Multiple discharge/recharge cycles shorten the battery life. Frequency of use and length of road
R-134a Market Trends/Pricing Projections
As mentioned in an earlier article, beginning January 1st, 2022, the United States will implement the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act to cap and phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the United States. This legislation
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—501—Polar IceTM R-134a Refrigerant with Extreme ColdTM Performance Booster
FJC’s Extreme Cold™ boosts the performance of your automotive air conditioning by lowering duct temperature by over 15%. See our case study here which confirms the efficacy of this claim. In addition to the “colder cold” coming into your cabin, you will
R-1234yf and the HD/Trucking Market
The automotive A/C aftermarket is a heavily regulated industry. For example, SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) was established by the EPA under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act to identify and evaluate sustitues for ozone-depleting substances. SNAP also addressed
Mr. Fixit’s Guide to Retrofit
Over the past thirty years, the mobile air conditioning industry has experienced extensive changes. Until 1995, automotive A/Cs used refrigerant R-12. After 1995, the industry switched to R-134a. In 2015, we began transitioning to R-1234yf, but for the purpose of
Choosing the Best Merchandise for Your Automotive Retail Store
A lot of factors must be considered when buying new merchandise to stock a retail establishment. The experts at FJC can help you successfully navigate these factors, but in the meantime here are some considerations to get you thinking strategically.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—45265BAG—Booster-In-A-Bag
New for 2022 is the FJC Booster-In-A-Bag. Our 25’ Commercial Duty booster cables enable easy charging even with less-than-ideal vehicle positioning. They boast quality clamps with strong teeth which will help prevent slippage from battery terminals, and plastic handles to
What are Air Conditioning Safety Stickers?
Before you service your automotive air conditioning system, you should look for the vehicle’s A/C safety sticker. Under your vehicle’s hood, you will locate a sticker which contains relevant details specific to the refrigerant requirements of your vehicle. The label
Mr. Fixit: Annual A/C Inspection Checklist
To keep your automotive A/C running well throughout the year, it’s important to be proactive. An annual inspection is recommended, ideally during the Fall or Spring seasons. Many use the change to or from Daylight Saving Time as an inspection
The AIM Act and its Anticipated Effect on the Automotive A/C Aftermarket
On December 27, 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 was enacted as an unrelated postscript to the Stimulus & Relief bill for COVID. The AIM Act directed the EPA to address and reduce the use of
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2800—Non-Contact Laser Thermometer
Easily and quickly measure automotive A/C temperatures from a safe and comfortable distance with FJC’s popular non-contact laser thermometer. Advanced infrared technology accurately measures surface temperatures (not for checking human internal body temperatures). Obtain dynamic readings by pulling the trigger,
A/C Compressor Troubleshooting
As the “heart” of the A/C system, the compressor performs a critical duty in the cooling of your vehicle. A compressor is a rotating pump which circulates refrigerant throughout the A/C system. Symptoms of a bad A/C compressor include: The
Mr. Fixit: How to Use Manifold Gauges
Before servicing a vehicle, confirm system refrigerant type. Cross contamination of refrigerants can cause damage to A/C system, service tools and equipment. Be sure to always use protective hand and eye wear. The right (red) side of the manifold is
Leak Sealers are Not All Created Equal—Read the Fine Print!
If you’ve ever shopped for DIY refrigerant products, you’ve undoubtedly read some product descriptions which sound similar— Refrigerant with ……”Stop Leak”, “Leak Stop”, “Leak Sealer”, “Leak Sealant”, “Conditioners”, “Kwik Seal”, “Quick Stop”, etc. Are these all the same? Are they
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH— 695DT 134a Pure Refrigerant with Dispensing Top – 12 oz
FJC has been delighted by the incredible response from the DIY market for our all-in-one, no tools required, refrigerant products. These innovative devices feature an ease-of-use dispensing cap which makes charging an automotive A/C system simple and trouble-free. Our straight
To What Pressure Should I Fill My Mobile A/C?
For a mobile air-conditioning system to run efficiently, the correct amount of refrigerant must be installed in the system. Both an under– or over-charge will affect efficiency, and the latter could even damage the system. But how does one hit
Mr. Fixit—How Can I Determine Which Refrigerant is in My A/C System?
We sometimes hear from customers wondering what type of refrigerant is in their air conditioning system. It’s important to correctly identify the refrigerant prior to a recharge because mixing refrigerants is not only illegal, but dangerous. As a general guideline,
Guide to Booster Cables
At FJC we understand that all booster cables are not the same, but—then again—neither are all users. Learn about important considerations for this invaluable tool and always be sure to read all instructions and follow all safety rules before using.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2724—R-1234yf Hand turn Oil and Dye Injector
Most cars will not engage the A/C compressor when there is an inadequate supply of oil in the system. You may prefer to have UV dye in your system before there is a leak so if your system fails to
Why Don’t They Use Carbon Dioxide in Automotive Air Conditioning?
Everyone appreciates that regulations stemming from environmental concerns has been steering the direction of automotive A/C refrigerants for the past twenty-five years or so. In the 1990s we moved away from R-12, a CFC, in favor of R-134a, an HFC,
Mr. Fixit: Where is the Low Side Service Port?
An automotive air conditioning system is a closed loop. As the refrigerant moves through the system it is subject to pressure variations which change the phase of the refrigerant from liquid to gas and back again. As these phase changes
Good to Know: How Does an Internal Heat Exchanger (IHX) Work?
R-1234yf absorbs slightly less energy per unit of flow in a refrigerant cycle compared to R-134a. In order to compensate for that differential, yf systems utilize an Internal Heat Exchanger (IHX). The IHX (sometimes called a Suction Line Heat Exchanger
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2806—Hand-held Hydraulic Crimper Kit for A/C Hoses
Portable Hydraulic Hose Crimping kits are ideal for repairing or creating new hose lines onsite. You’ve come to the right place—FJC’s offering in this category is extremely HIGH QUALITY and exceptionally LOW PRICE! Our lightweight and compact crimping kit is
How Different is an R-1234yf Mobile Air Conditioning System?
All automotive air conditioning systems are self-contained structures which cool the cabin of a vehicle by changing the phase of refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again by applying and releasing pressure on it. The ability of refrigerant gas
What is the Difference Between a Receiver/Drier and an Accumulator?
When your air conditioning system has been open to the atmosphere for a period of time, it is susceptible to contamination by moisture or foreign particulate. It is important that the moisture be removed from the system, as it can
Mr. FixIt: No Air is Blowing Through my Vents!
Have you ever gotten into your car on a hot summer day, eager to cool off with MAX COOL A/C, only to find there is no air coming through your vents? (No cool air, no warm air….just literally NO air!)
Vacuum Pump Maintenance
A vacuum pump is a literal workhorse in aftermarket air conditioning. Once you’ve chosen and purchased the right pump, your goal should be to protect and maintain your investment. Because it removes moisture, acid and other contaminants from an A/C
Automotive A/C Lubricants
What is the difference between the various A/C compressor oils on the market, and do those differences really matter? As the EPA has introduced more environmentally-friendly regulations, the automotive industry has had to embrace more stringent vehicle engineering standards. This
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—9165—POLAR ICE™ Kwik Seal™ Stop Leak
FJC’s POLAR ICE™ Kwik Seal™ is different from all the other Leak Seal treatments on the market (and by “different from” we mean “BETTER THAN”). FJC’s Stop Leak Treatment is a 3 ounce miracle which contains special sealing additives which
O-Ring Care: Lubricants and Conditioners
O-rings are small but vital donut-shaped gaskets in an automotive A/C system. They are seated in such a way as to create a leak-free area at each connection where the hard metal and soft O-ring meet. O-ring lubricants and conditioners
What is an SDS Sheet, and What is it For?
A safety data sheet (SDS), (previously called a “material safety data sheet” (MSDS)), is a document which lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. Unlike the MSDS, the new SDS sheets
Interactive Refrigerant Can Finder
So, you’ve determined your vehicle’s A/C needs a charge…..but the choices on the shelf seem confusing. Do you need a leak stop? Red or UV dye? A performance booster? Let our Interactive Refrigerant Finder help you determine the correct product
Understanding Refrigerant Pricing
Over the years many people have noticed price volatility in the refrigerant market. Price fluctuations can make users feel concerned about whether they are getting fair pricing on their refrigerants, and wonder why the prices are not more stable. The
FJC’s Extreme Cold™ Performance Booster
You may have heard of air conditioning performance boosters, but don’t know quite what they do, or if they are necessary. Well, we can’t speak about ALL performance boosters, but we CAN speak about FJC’s proprietary Extreme Cold™. WHAT DOES
How Much Refrigerant Should I Add?
So your AC is blowing warm, and you know you need a refrigerant charge, but how much should you buy? And considering that both too much and too little refrigerant will make the system not work properly, how much should
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2458/2459 R-1234yf Refrigerant Oil
FJC’s Part # 2458 (8 oz) and 2459 (Quart) ZEROL HD46 is a polyalkylene glycol lubricant designed specifically for application with R-1234yf refrigerant in mobile air conditioning systems. The oil is a double end-capped PAG, and is manufactured to exacting
Don’t Forget to Flush! (Your A/C System)
When an automotive A/C compressor failure occurs, debris from the failed unit can scatter throughout the system. These particles can clog up passages in the system and cause problems after you’ve replaced the failed compressor. Even tiny particles can cause
R-1234yf Service Port Caps
Service port caps are the primary seal for a vehicle’s A/C system’s service ports. Once again, FJC is on the forefront of the automotive air conditioning market by being one of the few providers of R-1234yf high and low side
Get Your Car “Spring Ready”
Ah, Spring! As the days get longer, moods elevate and people are ready to get out and enjoy the fresh air and awakening scenery. For many of us that includes car rides to and from our location, and increasingly in
R-1234yf Aftermarket Demand
Although the year is still relatively new, in terms of A/C systems needing aftermarket service, 2021 already represents a big change in the industry. Since R-134a was introduced in the mid-1990s, most of the needs in the automotive A/C industry
Weitron/FJC Top Quality Refrigerants Made in USA
The quality of Weitron/FJC’s Made in USA refrigerants is unmatched. We perform in-house testing for purity, moisture, acidity and non-condensable gases, providing consistently exceptional results for our refrigerants . You can be confident our refrigerants meet or exceed AHRI 700
Is R-134a in Our Rear View Mirror?
Due to requirements under the 2015 SNAP program (section of the Clean Air Act), to reduce ozone-depleting substances and replace them with more environmentally sustainable alternatives, USA law required elimination of R-134a in all 2021 and later model year cars.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2850—Heavy Duty Diecast Aluminum Refrigerant Scale
A perfect refrigerant scale is durable, sturdy, highly accurate, and affordable, and FJC’s HD scale ticks all those boxes. It boasts a rugged, compact design, and is completely portable. Made of high quality aluminum and silicone, the non-slip grip on
Understanding Mobile Air Conditioning
Automotive air conditioning is a self-contained system which cools the cabin of a car by changing the phase of refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again by applying and releasing pressure on it. Each part of the system is
Find & Repair Automotive A/C Leaks
One of the most common problems causing a mobile A/C to blow warm, especially after a long winter or period of non-use, is a refrigerant leak. While it can be a DIY repair, diagnosing and fixing an automotive A/C system
21 Automotive A/C Tips for 2021
It’s a New Year—so out with the old and in with the NEW! Well, how about we keep some of the “old” and bring in some “cutting edge”? That’s more in keeping with the FJC tradition of being on the
Mr. Fixit: DIY vs Take it to the Shop?
Have you ever experienced a sweltering day where you started your vehicle, cranked the A/C and a few moments later realized it’s simply not generating cold air? It’s happened to most of us at one point or another. But what
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—6842—Universal Side Can Tap R-12/R-134a/R-1234yf
Do you still have some old puncture-style refrigerant cans in the garage, but can no longer find puncture-style dispensing equipment? Is your local liquidator selling puncture-style cans for a fraction of the price of self-sealing? Does your business use a
Everything You Need to Know About Automotive A/C and Cold Weather
It’s good to know…. Air conditioning system doesn’t only cool the air, it also conditions it by drying and filtering it. Operating your vehicle’s A/C during colder months can prolong the life of your vehicle’s system and, even more importantly,
Automotive A/C Repair: SAFETY FIRST!
Refrigerant and DIY tools for Automotive A/C repair are readily available at any auto parts store. While this “ease of access” somewhat translates into “ease of use,” it is imperative to be aware at all times of the potential risks