‘Will Inevitably Clog Your System:' Woman Uses A/C Recharger in Her Miata. Then Viewers Warn Her

"After a recharge it idled worse so uhhhhhh idk man."

Photo by: TikTok

By: Alexandra Samuels

Jul 12, 2025 at 9:00pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

A Miata driver recently discovered that recharging the A/C system seemed to fix their engine idle, though the two issues aren’t actually connected.

TikTok user @skeeteryata, who owns a 1991 Miata, said she used a DIY A/C recharge kit and was surprised by what happened next.

“Who knew recharging your A/C would make your car idle normal?” she wrote, noting that before the recharge, her Miata idled at 2,000 RPM with the A/C on.

“Wow, who knew?” she added in the caption.

As of this writing, her video had pulled in more than 140,800 views.

What’s An A/C Recharge Kit—and Will It Damage Your Car?

An A/C recharge kit is a do-it-yourself solution designed to refill your car’s air conditioning system with refrigerant, usually when levels drop due to normal wear or small leaks. In some cases, it can temporarily boost cooling performance.

Don’t let convenience fool you, though. These kits are billed as easy fixes, yet they don’t tackle the underlying issue. If your A/C is consistently low on refrigerant, there’s probably a leak—something only a professional can properly diagnose and repair.

They also come with risks. Refrigerant is a toxic chemical that, if mishandled, can cause breathing problems or serious eye injuries. Overfilling the system can wreck your A/C compressor, and improper use may release harmful chemicals into the environment.

There’s also the issue of precision. When your A/C system is completely empty, it needs to be refilled based on the specific weight recommended by the manufacturer. Professionals use specialized tools to measure this accurately. DIY kits, however, rely on basic pressure gauges, so even if the pressure looks right, the actual refrigerant volume could be off. Too much can damage your system; too little, and your A/C won’t cool properly.

Compatibility is another concern. Most DIY kits use R-134a refrigerant, which works for many cars made after 1994. But older models, like the Miata that @skeeteryata drives, may require R-12, and many newer vehicles now use R-1234yf. Mixing refrigerant types can seriously damage your A/C system. So, if you’re unsure what your car takes, DIY charging isn’t the way to go.

In short, while these kits may offer a quick fix, they come with a margin for error that could cost you more in the long run. If your A/C issues persist—or if you’re dealing with an unfamiliar system—play it safe and call your local mechanic.

Will Using One Affect My Car’s Idle?

Not directly. As @skeeteryata noted in the comments of her video, her Miata was idling rough and also had A/C issues. After using a DIY recharge kit, her car suddenly started to “idle normal”—but that’s likely a coincidence, not cause and effect.

“So many people acting like they know my car better than me,” she replied under the post. “It was just a goofy post, I know adding refrigerant ain’t gonna cure all my issues.”

The bottom line is that recharge kits are meant to fix cooling issues, not engine performance. If your car’s idle is off, there’s probably something else going on—and a can of refrigerant won’t fix it.

Viewers Warn Against DIY Kits

Commenters on @skeeteryata’s video didn’t hold back, calling DIY A/C recharge kits “garbage” and warning they could do more harm than good in the long run.

“Now when ur AC fails it’s going to need the whole system replaced instead of just getting to the root cause,” one wrote. “They don’t just lose refrigerant, they leak, and ur filling it with anti-leak which will inevitably clog your systems.”

“If u recharged it but didn’t fix it, ain’t it just gonna leak again?” another asked.

“If you need to recharge, it means there is a leak,” added a third.

But @skeeteryata stood her ground. In the comments, she reminded critics that the post was meant to be lighthearted, not a how-to guide.

What do you think?

View

Comments

“I know this isn’t a universal fix,” she wrote. “I know what’s wrong with my car and why it idles rough. I was just saying I added refrigerant and my A/C problems got better. I’m not dumb, I promise.”

Motor1 has reached out to @skeeteryata via a TikTok direct message.