A/C Compressor PAG Oil Application Chart (2024)

A/C Compressor PAG Oil Application Chart (1)

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Automotive air conditioning compressors require specific types of lubricants. Most 1996 and newer A/C systems use R134a refrigerant and require some type of PAG (polyalkylene glycol) oil for the compressor. If the wrong type of compressor oil or the wrong viscosity compressor oil is used, it may damage the compressor. In fact, the main reason for a newly installed A/C compressor to fail is using the wrong type of compressor oil.

PAO (Polyalphaolefin) oil can sometimes be used as a substitute for certain PAG oils if the compressor manufacturer approves it.

CAUTION: PAG oils should NEVER be used in hybrid vehicles because it is electrically conductive. POE (polyol ester) oil is usually specified for hybrid cars that have electrically-driven A/C compressors because it is non-conductive. Using the wrong oil may allow current to short circuit back through the A/C compressor, creating a shock hazard.

Mineral oil should only be used in older R-12 A/C compressors because R-12 will not mix with R-134 refrigerant.

"Universal" A/C compressor oils are often PAO-based and are not the same viscosity as the PAG oil recommended for a specific type of compressor. This can lead to poor lubrication and premature compressor failure.

Newer vehicles with R-1234yf A/C systems require a special PAG YF 46 or PAG YF 100 compressor oil, which one depends on the compressor and the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer.

General Motors recommends GM lubricants only (PAG-PSD1 #19260643 for 2013/14 Cadillac XTS, and PAG-ND12 #19299051 for 2013 Cadillac ATS) with R1234yf A/C systems. Universal compressor oils should NOT be used in R-1234yf applications.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles generally require a PAG SP-A2 (ISO 46) oil for the A/C compressor. This is a special type of PAG oil that is non-conductive electrically. This type of oil is required in some hybrid and all electric vehicles that have an electrically-driven compressor rather than a belt-driven compressor.

PAG Oil Recommendations for Various Compressors

The following is a list of recommended lubricants by compressor manufacturer. you can identify the compressor mfr. by looking for an ID tag or label on the unit (or see the reference illustrations at the right and left):

Compressor Identification

A/C Compressor PAG Oil Application Chart (2)

A/C Compressor PAG Oil Application Chart (3)

Compressor Model and Recommended PAG Oil:

Bosch Axial.........................PAG 100

Calsonic CR14.......................PAG 46

Calsonic CWV6.......................PAG 46

Calsonic DKV........................PAG 100

Calsonic V5.........................PAG 150

Calsonic V6.........................PAG 46

Chrysler A590.......................PAG 46

Chrysler C171.......................PAG 46

Chrysler RV2........................PAG 100

Denso 10P...........................PAG 46

Denso 10S...........................PAG 46

Denso 10SRE18.......................PAG ND-8

Denso 2C............................PAG 100

Denso 6C............................PAG 46

Denso 6CA...........................PAG 46

Some Vehicle Specific A/C Compressor Lubricant Recommendations:

2011-2019 Chevy Volt.......................ND 11 POE

2000 - 2012 Honda Accord (Denso)....ND Oil 8

2000 - 2006 Honda Insight...........PAG 46

2005 - 2009 Honda Civic (Sanden)....SP 10 PAG 46

2010-2017 Nissan Leaf EV...............ND ii POE

2004 - 2009 Nissan Maxima/Altima....Type S (DH-PS) PAG 46

2017 - 2023 Tesla (Model S, X and 3)...ND 11 POE

2000 - 2003 Toyota Prius............PAO 68 or PAG 46

2004 - 2022 Toyota Prius............ND Oil 11 POE

1997 - 2017 Toyota Camry............ND Oil 8

A/C Compressor Oil Capacities

If you are replacing a compressor or other A/C system component, it is important to replace any compressor oil that has been lost when parts are changed. The total system oil capacity for many late model passenger car A/C systems is only about 4 ounces (120 ml). A low oil level can starve the compressor for oil and lead to compressor failure.

CAUTION: Do NOT overfill the the A/C system with too much compressor oil. Too much oil can hurt cooling performance.

Use the following guidelines for replacing compressor oil when changing A/C components:

Compressor.........1.4 oz
Condenser..........1.0 oz
Evaporator.........1.5 oz
Accumulator........1.0 oz
Hoses..............1.0 oz

The total amount of oil added to compensate for parts that have been replaced should NOT exceed the total oil capacity of the system. If you don't know what the total oil capacity is, check the underhood A/C service decal or look up the information in the OEM service literature.

What About Universal A/C Compressor Oils?

Our advice is this: Why take a chance using a universal oil when you can just as easily use the correct PAG oil?

Every compressor manufacturer I've ever interviewed says the same thing: Use the specific type of oil specified for their compressor. In most cases, it is some type of PAG oil.

When an engineer designs an A/C compressor, he builds it to certain tolerances that require a specific type of lubricant viscosity, friction charcteristics and wear additives. If an oil is used that does not meet those requirements fairly closely, it might cause wear and friction issues. Eventually, this could cause the compressor to fail.

PAG 46, PAG 100 and PAG 150 oils all have different viscosities, just as 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W40 motor oils have different viscosities. You should not intermix different viscosities because the viscosity of the mixture may be "out of range" for the appliction for a number of reasons. Thicker oils are typically specified for heavier bearing and seal loads, but also require slightly greater bearing clearances. If a thinner oil is used, it may not provide adequate lubrication. Likewise, an application that specifies a thinner oil to minimize friction and drag may not receive adequate lubrication if a thicker viscosity oil is used.

Because the various PAG oils all have different viscosities, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to have a single oil formulation with the same viscosity characteristics as the original PAG 46, PAG 100 or PAG 150. The universal oil will be a compromise blend that fails to meet anyof the OEM specifications. It will be too thick for some applications, and too thin for other applications.

A universal oil may work okay in some compressors, but not others. So why take a chance? A/C compressors are not cheap to replace!

The reason why some people promote universal oils is because it is simplier for auto parts stores and shops to stock a single type of oil instead of a number of different oils.