Air Conditioning System: Precaution: Precaution

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Toyota Matrix. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DO NOT HANDLE REFRIGERANT IN AN ENCLOSED AREA OR NEAR AN OPEN FLAME

Fig 1: Precaution For Charging Cylinder
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION
BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET LIQUID REFRIGERANT IN YOUR EYES OR ON YOUR SKIN

Fig 2: Precaution For Liquid Refrigerant Eyes On Skin
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If liquid refrigerant gets in your eyes or on your skin:
1. Wash the affected area with lots of cold water.
  WARNING:
  Do not rub your eyes or skin.
2. Apply clean petroleum jelly to the affected area.
3. Go immediately to a hospital or see a physician for professional treatment.
NEVER HEAT CONTAINER OR EXPOSE THE CONTAINER TO AN OPEN FLAME
BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP CONTAINER OR APPLY PHYSICAL SHOCKS TO IT
DO NOT OPERATE COMPRESSOR WITHOUT ENOUGH REFRIGERANT IN REFRIGERANT SYSTEM

Fig 3: Identifying Correct And Incorrect Connection Of Valves
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If there is not enough refrigerant in the A/C system, oil lubrication will be insufficient and the compressor may be damaged.

Ensure the system is fully charged and free of leaks to avoid this.
DO NOT OPEN HIGH PRESSURE MANIFOLD VALVE WHILE COMPRESSOR IS OPERATING
1. Open and close only the low pressure valve.
  If the high pressure valve is opened, refrigerant flows in the reverse direction causing the charging cylinder to rupture.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERCHARGE SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT
If refrigerant is overcharged, it will cause problems such as insufficient cooling, poor fuel economy, engine overheating, etc.
DO NOT OPERATE ENGINE WITHOUT REFRIGERANT
WARNING:
Doing so may damage the inside of the compressor because the compressor parts will always move regardless of whether the A/C system is turned on or off.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
1. This vehicle is equipped with an SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) consisting of the driver, front passenger, side, and curtain shield airbags. Failure to carry out service operations in the correct sequence could cause the SRS to unexpectedly deploy during servicing, possibly leading to a serious accident. Before servicing (including removal or installation of parts, inspection or replacement), be sure to read the precautionary notices. Refer to PRECAUTION .
GENERAL PRECAUTION
1. While using battery voltage during the inspection, do not bring the positive and negative tester probes too close to each other as a short circuit may occur.