Audi Collision Position Statements Available

Posted on 25 May 2017

There's a new addition to the OEM Information page for Audi. An icon has been added that will link you to a page containing Audi Position Statements.

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Great Designs in Steel 2017 Presentations: A Closer Look - 2017 Honda Ridgeline

Posted on 24 May 2017

In case you missed it, Steve Behm from Honda R&D America Inc. presented The 2017 Honda Ridgeline at Great Designs in Steel 2017.

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Corrosion Protection Guidelines: BMW/Mini

Posted on 23 May 2017

A key factor in collision repair is making long-lasting repairs. When a vehicle is repaired, many areas of corrosion protection are disturbed. This creates corrosion hot spots that left untreated will lead to corrosion and potentially a repair failure. However, there are certain precautions that can be taken to safely and properly restore the corrosion protection throughout the repair process. OEMs often give specifications on restoring corrosion protection. These specifications generally include seam sealer, adhesives, foam fillers, and cavity waxes. Let’s take a look at what BMW/Mini says.

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Structural Sectioning Procedures: Volkswagen

Posted on 22 May 2017

Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Volkswagen says about structural sectioning.

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RTS Navigation: Has This Question Been Asked Before?

Posted on 19 May 2017

The Ask I-CAR team has answered thousands of questions, from the industry, since its inception in July of 2014. As would be expected with that many inquiries, many have been repeat questions. The Ask I-CAR team has staff available to answer technical inquiries Monday thru Friday from 7 AM until 4 PM central standard time. What happens if you have a question after hours or on a weekend? Well, you may be in luck. Many of the questions and answers are posted to the RTS portal. Let’s take a look at the benefits of posting these questions and answers and where to find them.

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Collision Hub - Repair University Live: Scanning vs. Calibration

Posted on 18 May 2017

Collision Hub is a well-known source for collision repair news and information. On the Collision Hub website, you can find a monthly news report (Collision Hub Network News - CHNN), a blog, Repair University, and a relatively new feature Repair University Live. To view Repair University Live, you will need to purchase a subscription. However, the next episode, coming up on May 24, at 12:00 PM Eastern, will be sponsored by Mitchell, so it will be free to the public. Let’s take a look at how to view this episode and what it will include.

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New Calibration Requirement From General Motors

Posted on 18 May 2017

There is new information available when it comes to windshield replacement on General Motors (GM) vehicles. In the past, forward facing camera calibration was not required when replacing the windshield. Let’s take a look at the new requirement from GM.

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Additional Calibration Requirements: Volkswagen

Posted on 16 May 2017

The addition of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to the RTS portal was a big step for the collision industry. While this new feature has been well received, there has been some confusion about what is included in the search tool. OEM Calibration Requirements Search is designed to provide information on the calibration requirements that are needed for vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and collision braking.

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Structural Sectioning Procedures: Nissan/INFINITI

Posted on 15 May 2017

Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Nissan/INFINITI says about structural sectioning.

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OEM Position Statements

Posted on 12 May 2017

Here at Ask I-CAR we get a lot of questions on a daily basis. Many of these questions have to do with what the OEM says on a particular subject. Often times, these questions can be quickly answered by an OEM position statement. Let’s find out how OEM position statements can help you.

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Additional Calibration Requirements: FCA/Stellantis

Posted on 11 May 2017

The addition of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to the RTS portal was a big step for the collision industry. While this new feature has been well received, there has been some confusion about what is included in the search tool. OEM Calibration Requirements Search is designed to provide information on the calibration requirements that are needed for vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and collision braking.

It does not include occupant classification systems (OCS), steering angle sensors, battery disconnects, or other calibrations/initializations required, when not related directly to ADAS. Let’s take a look at what additional items may require calibrations/initializations on FCA/Stellantis vehicles.

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What's That in the Grille?

Posted on 11 May 2017

Have you noticed anything different looking on new vehicle grilles? If you have, you may have thought what is that strange looking flat spot? Sometimes this flat area is somewhat hidden by a manufacturer emblem. Other times it’s integrated into the grille itself, including grille lines. Let’s take a look at this new design element and what it’s hiding.

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Structural Sectioning Procedures: Ford/Lincoln

Posted on 08 May 2017

Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Ford/Lincoln says about structural sectioning.

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Additional Calibration Requirements: General Motors

Posted on 05 May 2017

The addition of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to the RTS portal was a big step for the collision industry. While this new feature has been well received, there has been some confusion about what is included in the search tool. The OEM Calibration Requirements Search is designed to provide information on the calibration requirements that are needed for vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and collision braking.

It does not include occupant classification systems (OCS), steering angle sensors, battery disconnects, or other calibrations/initializations required, when not related directly to ADAS. Let’s take a look at what additional items may require calibrations/initializations on General Motors (GM) vehicles.

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Identifying Options for Windshields

Posted on 04 May 2017

Automotive windshields have changed a lot since the start of the automotive industry. In the past, there were some variations in windshields, but nothing like todays windshields. One particular model of vehicle can have dozens of different options when it comes to ordering a windshield. Let’s take a look at some of these options, and how to identify them.

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