What type of refrigerants must be completely recovered before servicing a vehicle?

The requirement for completely recovering refrigerants before servicing a vehicle applies to both flammable and non-flammable refrigerants. This practice is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures environmental protection by preventing refrigerants, which can contribute to global warming or ozone depletion, from being released into the atmosphere. Proper recovery techniques also adhere to regulatory guidelines set by the EPA, which mandate that all refrigerants in a vehicle's system must be captured and not vented.

Flammable refrigerants can pose fire hazards if released, making their recovery even more critical, but the standard applies universally to protect the environment and comply with safety regulations. Non-flammable refrigerants, although not posing the same level of risk in terms of combustibility, still need to be managed appropriately to avoid harmful emissions.

In summary, because of the potential environmental impacts and regulatory requirements, all refrigerants, regardless of their flammability, must be completely recovered before servicing a vehicle.