What does the term recovery refer to when working on an air conditioning system?

The term "recovery" in the context of working on an air conditioning system specifically refers to the process of removing refrigerant from a vehicle's air conditioning system. This is a critical step prior to performing any repairs or servicing on the system, particularly when there is a need to replace components or during a system flush.

During the recovery process, the refrigerant is extracted and stored in a recovery cylinder to prevent its release into the atmosphere, which is crucial for environmental protection and compliance with regulations concerning refrigerant handling. This process ensures that the refrigerant can be recycled, reclaimed, or disposed of properly, reducing the environmental impact of air conditioning service operations.

Other options, such as saving oil or old parts, do not directly relate to the recovery process of refrigerant and are not the primary meaning of the term in this specific context. Similarly, recharging the A/C system refers to adding refrigerant back into the system after repairs, which is a separate action from the recovery process.