Mazda CX-5 Service & Repair Manual: Refrigerant System Service Warnings

Handling Refrigerant

• Avoid breathing air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose and throat. Also, due to environmental concerns, we urge use of recovery/recycling/recharging equipment when draining HFC-134a from the air conditioning system. If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

• Do not perform pressure test or leak test for HFC-134a service equipment and/or vehicle air conditioning system using compressed air. Some mixtures of air and HFC-134a have been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures, if ignited, may cause injury or property damage. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from refrigerant manufacturers.

• Do not allow the refrigerant to leak near fire or any kind of heat. A poisonous gas may be generated if the refrigerant gas contacts fire or heat such as from cigarettes and heaters. When carrying out any operation that can cause refrigerant leakage, extinguish or remove the above?mentioned heat sources and maintain adequate ventilation.

• Handling liquid refrigerant is dangerous. A drop of it on the skin can result in localized frostbite. When handling the refrigerant, wear gloves and safety goggles. If refrigerant splashes into the eyes, immediately wash them with clean water and consult a doctor.

Storing Refrigerant

• The refrigerant container is highly pressurized. If it is subjected to high heat, it could explode, scattering metal fragments and liquid refrigerant that can seriously injure you. Store the refrigerant at temperatures below 40 °C {104 °F}.