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SUBJECT:
EV AND HYBRID A/C SYSTEM SERVICING REQUIREMENTS
The Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) and the Optima Hybrid use an A/C compressor that is driven by a high-voltage electric motor rather than by a belt. Both the motor and compressor are in one housing with a mix of refrigerant and oil flowing through both sections. Because the oil flows through the motor windings, it must have a high electrical resistivity (low conductivity). To achieve this, the EV and Hybrid vehicle’s A/C system uses a special lubricant, either Polyvinyl Ether (PVE) or Polyolester (POE) oil. Conventional PAG oil cannot be intermixed with PVE or POE oil.
WARNING
PAG oil is not sufficiently resistive and would permanently damage the electric A/C compressor. Use of the incorrect lubricant may cause severe personal injury or death from electrical shock.
To service an EV or Hybrid vehicle A/C system, one of the following Recovery, Recycle, and Recharge (RRR) machines is required:
- A DEDICATED machine: a standard, non-SAE J2788-compliant RRR Machine (once dedicated, this can then only be used on PVE and POE A/C systems). Always keep the oil injection reservoir filled with PVE oil
purchased from Kia
Chemicals (kiachemicals.com). NOTE: At this time, only PVE oil
is available from Kia
Chemicals.
- A HOSE-FLUSHING machine: an SAE J2788-compliant RRR machine (this can service all PAG, PVE, and POE A/C systems). When servicing an EV or Hybrid A/C system, use ONLY PVE oil
purchased from Kia
Chemicals (kiachemicals.com).
For information regarding the purchase of either of these machines, contact Snap-on Business Solutions at (888) 542-1011 or go to www.kiaspecialtools.com.
NOTICE
- POE and PVE oils are compatible so if a DEDICATED machine has already been purchased, it can be used with either oil type.
- Prior to using the RRR machine, make sure it is properly calibrated per the manufacturer’s instructions.