Freon Refill

I own a 2002 mercury sable GS, my A/c is taking too long to blow cold air and sometimes if its too hot it never does, i was told that its low on freon so i would like to know if its possible for me to refill it using the freon thats available at auto zone or kragen or any auto parts shop, and if its possible to know how to do that. Thank you.

 

Welcome to the Forum!
Yes, your car uses 134a which you can get at almost any auto parts store. Watch out for anything with stop leak as it can gunk up your system. However, it should be filled with a manifold guage set so you can see both your high and low side pressures. A partially blocked orfice tube would decrease the performance of your system, yet you still would have plenty refrigerant. You were told that its low on freon. Did the source of the information check the pressures?
Be cautious, if you have too much freon in you system, you can blow out seals, hoses, damage your compressor, and injure yourself.

Do-it-yourself refrigerant is a bit controversial, others will probably give some good advice you should read before choosing a course of action.

 

You likely have refrigerant 134A and not "freon".

No, you should not add refrigerant yourself!
As said if you put in too much you could damage something or cause the system to operate at dangerously high pressures.

You need to take it to a reputable service shop and have them do a proper diagnosis, repair the leak which you surely will have and only then add the proper amount of refrigerant .

 

They do sell DIY pressure gauges at Autozone. Usually you can get the hose and a can of 134A for like $15.

Connect the hose to the low pressure side fitting (it will only fit on this one fitting) and take a reading (engine running, AC on high).

If the pressure is fine, you have other issues.

 

You'll waste your money on the cans if you have a leak in the system. I've tried this route and all I did was waste money. Get the system leak tested first.