How much refrigerant does a Kia Optima A/C system hold?

The 2018 Kia Optima (4 Cyl. 1.6 Eng.) holds 19.36 oz of R-1234yf as a complete system charge. That is the amount for an empty, evacuated system, not for a top-off.

Can I put R-134a in a car that uses R-1234yf?

No. The two use different service fittings on purpose and different oils. Charging the wrong refrigerant can damage the compressor and is illegal in the US under EPA rules.

Can I recharge the A/C myself?

A DIY can with a gauge can top off a slightly low R-134a system. If the system is empty it has a leak, and adding refrigerant without fixing it wastes the can. A full charge needs the system evacuated and weighed in, which is a shop job.

Kia Optima A/C refrigerant type and capacity

GarageDex's A/C data shows the 2018 Kia Optima (4 Cyl. 1.6 Eng.) uses 19.36 oz of R-1234yf refrigerant with PAG Oil compressor oil. Earlier years used R-134a, so check the year row below.

Shop R-1234yf Match the type on your under-hood decal

Key takeaways

2018 Kia Optima: 19.36 oz of R-1234yf, 4.4 oz of PAG Oil oil.
The charge is a full-system amount; a top-off adds far less.
This model switched refrigerant types over its life (R-1234yf, R-134a) - use your year's row.
A system that is empty has a leak - fix it before charging.

Kia Optima A/C refrigerant and oil by year
Years	Engine	Refrigerant	Charge	Compressor oil
2018	4 Cyl. 1.6 Eng.	R-1234yf	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 4.4 oz
2018	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-1234yf	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 4.4 oz
2018	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-1234yf	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 4.4 oz
2017	4 Cyl. 1.6 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2017	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.; Gas/Electric	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 3.7 oz
2017	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2017	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2016	4 Cyl. 1.6 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2016	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2016	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.; Gas/Electric	R-1234yf	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 4.4 oz
2016	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	22.88 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2015	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2015	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.; Gas/Electric	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 3.7 oz
2015	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2014	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2014	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.; Gas/Electric	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG Oil 4.5 oz
2014	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	19.36 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2011 to 2013	4 Cyl. 2.0 Eng.	R-134a	19 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2011 to 2013	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	19 oz	PAG-46 3.7 oz
2009 to 2010	4 Cyl. 2.4 Eng.	R-134a	18 oz	PAG-46 5.1 oz
2009 to 2010	6 Cyl. 2.7 Eng.	R-134a	18 oz	PAG-46 5.1 oz
2007 to 2008	All Eng.	R-134a	18 oz	PAG-46 5 oz
2006	All Eng.	R-134a	24 oz	PAG-46 5.5 oz
2001 to 2005	All Eng.	R-134a	24 oz	PAG-46 5 oz

Recharge supplies for your Kia Optima

Buy the refrigerant type shown for your year and confirm it against the under-hood decal. R-1234yf cans cost more and need a matching coupler.

R-1234yfR-1234yf can with a gauge and couplerShop cans Manifold gauge setReads high and low side pressure properlyShop gauges Leak detection kitFind the leak before you spend on refrigerantShop kits

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Same car, other specs: Kia Optima specs hub.

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Source: Four Seasons - Compressor / System Refrigerant & Lubricant Specs. The under-hood A/C decal is the primary source for your exact car - it overrides any table. Charges assume a clean system with a new drier.