R1234yf Specialist Hoses - 12mm M
R1234yf Specialist Hoses - 12mm M Fittings
Specialist charging hoses designed for R1234yf refrigerant systems with 12mm M fittings. Essential for servicing modern automotive air conditioning systems using the environmentally-friendly R1234yf refrigerant found in 2017+ vehicles.
Key Features
- R1234yf specific design — Engineered for new-generation automotive A/C refrigerant
- 12mm M fittings — Correct connections for R1234yf service ports (prevents cross-contamination)
- Colour-coded identification — Red (high-pressure) and blue (low-pressure)
- Multiple lengths — 300cm and 500cm options for various vehicle access requirements
- Low-permeation construction — Minimises refrigerant loss and environmental impact
- Professional-grade materials — Built for daily automotive A/C service work
Why R1234yf Requires Specialist Hoses
Unique Fitting Design
R1234yf systems use unique 12mm M fittings that are incompatible with older R134a equipment. This design:
- Prevents cross-contamination — Cannot accidentally connect to R134a systems
- Ensures correct refrigerant use — Physical barrier prevents mixing refrigerants
- Meets regulatory requirements — Complies with automotive A/C service standards
- Protects equipment — Prevents damage from incorrect refrigerant usage
Environmental Considerations
R1234yf is a low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerant designed to replace R134a in automotive applications:
- GWP of 4 (vs R134a GWP of 1,430)
- Significantly reduced environmental impact
- Mandatory in EU for new vehicles from 2017
- Increasingly common in UK and global markets
- Low-permeation hoses minimise emissions
Applications
- Modern automotive A/C — 2017+ vehicles with R1234yf systems
- European vehicles — EU-market cars manufactured from 2017 onwards
- Premium brands — Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, and other premium manufacturers
- Mobile A/C service — Essential for automotive A/C technicians
- Dealership service — Required equipment for franchised dealer workshops
R1234yf vs R134a Hoses
| Feature | R134a (14mm/13mm) | R1234yf (12mm M) |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting size | 14mm (high) / 13mm (low) | 12mm M (both) |
| Vehicles | Pre-2017 (mostly) | 2017+ (EU/UK) |
| Refrigerant GWP | 1,430 | 4 |
| Cross-compatibility | No | No (by design) |
| Permeation requirements | Standard | Low-permeation |
Which Vehicles Use R1234yf?
R1234yf is increasingly common in:
- EU/UK vehicles from 2017+ — Mandatory for new type approvals
- Premium brands — Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover
- Volume manufacturers — VW Group, PSA Group, Renault-Nissan, Ford, GM
- Japanese imports — Honda, Toyota, Mazda (newer models)
- US imports — Many US-market vehicles from 2015+
Important Notes
- Not backwards compatible: R1234yf hoses cannot be used on R134a systems (and vice versa)
- Specialist equipment required: R1234yf service requires dedicated recovery machines and equipment
- Safety considerations: R1234yf is mildly flammable — follow proper service procedures
- Higher refrigerant cost: R1234yf is significantly more expensive than R134a
Need help with R1234yf service equipment? Contact our technical team for expert advice on R1234yf automotive A/C service.
