Audi Q5: A/C System and Refrigerant R134a Safety Precautions
Vehicles with a high-voltage system (hybrid vehicles)
Extremely Dangerous Due to High-Voltage
The high-voltage system is under high-voltage. Electrocution can
cause death or very serious personal injury from damages high-voltage
components and high-voltage cables.
- Perform a visual inspection of the high-voltage components and the
high-voltage cables.
- Never use tools that are for cutting, deformed, or sharp edged.
- Never use welding, soldering, thermal adhesive or hot air.
There is a Risk of Injury from the Engine Starting Unexpectedly
On electric - hybrid vehicles an active ready mode is difficult to
identify. Parts of the body can be clamped or pulled.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Place the ignition key outside of the vehicle interior.
Risk of Damaging the High-Voltage Cables
Misuse can damage the insulation of high-voltage cables or
high-voltage connectors.
- Never support objects on the high-voltage cables and the
high-voltage connectors.
- Never support tools on the high-voltage cables and the high-voltage
connectors.
- Never sharply bend or kink the high-voltage cables.
- When connecting pay attention to the coding of the high-voltage
connectors.
For all procedures on vehicles with high-voltage system pay
attention to the additional warning message for these vehicles.
Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings when Working on Vehicles with High Voltage
System".
Vehicles with Start/Stop System
There is a Risk of Injury from the Engine Starting Unexpectedly
The engine can start unexpectedly on vehicles with an activated
Start/Stop System. A message appears in the instrument cluster
indicating whether the Start/Stop System is activated.
- Deactivate the Start/Stop System: Turn off the ignition.
All Vehicles
WARNING
Asphyxiation, frostbite, and poisoning may occur as
a result of leaking refrigerant
There is a risk of injury from leaking refrigerant
- Danger of asphyxiation from displacement of the
surrounding air
- There is a risk of frostbite (or risk of freezer
burn from the evaporating liquid refrigerant)
- There is a risk of poisoning from the byproducts
Corrective Action
- Work on the A/C system refrigerant circuit should
only be performed in well ventilated areas.
- When handling refrigerant and working on the
refrigerant circuit, make sure there is a good flow of
oxygen (change the air at least one time each hour in
the work area and three times per hour in enclosed
spaces (for example, the work pit). Turn on the
available workshop ventilation and exhaust systems.
- Only store containers and devices with refrigerant
in well ventilated areas (not in basements or near
basement staircases for example).
- Do not breathe in fumes from leaking refrigerant.
- When handling refrigerant and when working on the
refrigerant circuit, wear suitable protective gloves and
protective eyewear.
- It is recommended to have an eye-flushing bottle
available.
- Work on the A/C system refrigerant circuit should
only be performed in well ventilated areas. Switch on
the available ventilation systems.
- Refrigerant must not be stored in low-lying areas
such as basements or in their entry ways or windowsills.
First Aid Measures
- If the affected person has inhaled a high
concentration of refrigerant vapors, immediately remove
them from the contaminated area and bring and lay them
in the fresh air. Keep the affected person warm and
calm. Initiate artificial respiration if the affected
person is experiencing troubled breathing and administer
oxygen if necessary. If the affected person has
difficulty breathing or cannot breathe, tip head back
and perform mouth to mouth respiration. Consult a
physician.
- Should liquid refrigerant come into contact with the
eyes, rinse eyes thoroughly in water for approximately
15 minutes. Then apply eye drops and consult a doctor
immediately, even if the eyes are not hurting.
- Never put anything in the mouth of an unconscious
person. If the symptoms continue or if ever there is a
concern, seek medical advice.
- The doctor must be informed that the injury was
caused by refrigerant R134a. Should refrigerant come
into contact with other parts of the body despite
compliance with safety regulations, these must likewise
be rinsed immediately for at least 15 minutes with cold
or lukewarm water.
- If contact with eyes or mucous membranes occurs,
immediately rinse with copious amounts of running water
and consult an eye specialist.
- Immediately remove clothing that refrigerant has
contacted and rinse the area of the skin affected with
cold or lukewarm water. Do not use hot water. Seek
medical attention if frostbite occurs.
Note
- The refrigerant has a faintly noticeable odor which is
therefore not perceptible.
- The refrigerant is heavier than air and falls to lower lying
areas such as the work pit, basements, and deep spots and
displaces the breathable air and oxygen. Remaining in oxygen
deprived areas is life endangering.
- Liquid refrigerant for example from a leak evaporates at an
ambient pressure of approximately 1 bar at roughly -29 ºC (84
ºF). If the refrigerant evaporates on skin, it can cause
cryogenic burning. Delicate organs for example the cornea, are
especially at risk. Excessive frostbite may be life threatening.
- The refrigerant breaks down near flames or when it comes in
contact with hot surfaces. There is a danger of becoming
poisoned by the resulting toxic fumes if inhaled. A pungent odor
indicates that the products of the decomposition mentioned above
have already formed. Avoid inhaling these substances under all
circumstances, as otherwise the respiratory system, lungs and
other organs could be damaged.
- The specific dangers associated with the refrigerant,
material data etc. can be found in the safety data sheets.
Never weld or hard/soft solder components of a filled A/C
system. This also applies to welding and soldering on the
vehicle, if there is a risk that it may heat up components in
the A/C system. When performing paintwork repairs, the
temperature in the drying booth or preheating zone must not
exceed 80 ºC (176 ºF).
Reason:
Exposure to heat increases the pressure in the system, which
could cause the pressure relief valve to open.
Corrective Measure:
- Discharge refrigerant circuit using A/C service station.
Note
Always replace damaged or leaking A/C system components. Do
not attempt to repair them by welding or soldering.
Refrigerant reservoirs (for example, charging cylinders on
the A/C service station) must never be subjected to excessive
heat or exposed to direct sunlight.
Corrective Measure:
- Reservoirs must never be completely filled with liquid
refrigerant. Without sufficient room for expansion (gas
cushion), reservoirs will rupture with devastating effects in
the event of a temperature increase. Refer to
→ Chapter "Refrigerant R134a Characteristics".
Refrigerant is never to be transferred to systems or vessels
in which air is present.
Corrective Measure:
- Evacuate systems and reservoirs before charging with
refrigerant.
READ NEXT:
General Information
Ensure absolute cleanliness when working.
Wear safety goggles and gloves when working with refrigerant
and nitrogen.
Workshop extraction systems are to be switched on.
Use th
Extremely Dangerous Due to High-Voltage
The high-voltage system is under high-voltage. Death or serious
bodily injury by electric shock.
- Individuals with electronic/medical life- and health su
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Vehicles with a High Voltage System (Hybrid Vehicles)
Extremely Dangerous Due to High-Voltage
The high-voltage system is under high-voltage. Death or serious
bodily injury by electric shock.
- Individuals with electronic/medical life- and health sustaining
machines in or on their person canno